SOFIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is the biggest film
festival in Bulgaria. It began in 1997 and attracts more than 85 000
spectators annually. The festival aims to present the best of the
contemporary cinema to local audiences and regional Bulgarian and Balkan
cinema to international audiences, as well as to encourage cooperation
between local and international filmmakers. Since 2003 the festival has
International Competition for first and second films and is included in
the FIPRESCI calendar. Since 2003 the festival has also competition for
regional films and national short films (Jameson Short Film Award).
Since 2009 we introduced International documentary competition. In 2007
Variety placed Sofia IFF among the Top 50 world unmissable film events
for industry. In 2010 Sofia IFF was accredited by FIAPF as a competitive
specialized feature film festival and became the only Bulgarian film
festival recognized by FIAPF nowadays. SIFF is the only Bulgarian film
festival recognized by FIPRESCI.
The 23rd Sofia International Film Festival will happen from 7-17-28 March 2019 in Sofia. In the frame of the festival is organized the co-production market Sofia Meetings
which brings more than 300 foreign professionals to the festival
including strong number of distributors, members of Europa Distribution,
and exhibitors, members of Europa Cinemas. Sofia Meetings is one of the
leading co-production events in Europe and especially the region.