They have been selected from among 120 applications. For the first time this year the Grand Prix for Best Project will be granted by the Sofia-based Nu Boyana Film Studios. The Sofia Meetings winner will receive services in the amount of 50,000 EUR and 5,000 EUR soft money upon commencement of the project.

Also for the first time a joint initiative between Sofia Meetings and First Film First-Goethe-Institute Young Directors’ Academy South-Eastern Europe will take place. Young directors from the region will be able to follow intensive projects development programmes.

Europa Cinemas will hold a four day Sofia Innovation Lab 2016 focused on the creation of diverse relationships with various audiences. In cooperation with the Bulgarian National Film Center Sofia Meetings will also present the tax incentives policies and their influence on the film industries in Belgium, Hungary and Macedonia.

FERA will hold a seminar on dialogues among directors involving Belgium’s Michaël R.Roskam and Bulgaria’s Pavel G. Vesnakov, while Groupama Insurance Group will make a first special presentation on film insurances.

Over 100 guests are expected to attend the Sofia Meetings' special events.