The Bulgarian/German/French coproduction Aga aka Nanook directed by Milko Lazaravov (and coproduced by Red Carpet, 42Film and Arizona Films Productions) will open the festival, after having closed the Competition programme of the 2018 Berlinale.
Seven of the titles from the international competition come from CEE and Balkan countries, including Ilian Metev’s 3/4 , winner of the Golden Leopard in the Cineasti Del Presente international competition of the 2016 Locarno FF and best director at the 2017 Golden Rose National FF.
The Balkan competition is composed of 13 new feature films from the region, including two Bulgarian productions and two Bulgarian minority coproductions.
A total of 22 new Bulgarian feature films and 11 documentaries will have their premiere in Sofia. Twelve new Bulgarian short films will compete for the Jamison Award.
The president of the international jury is the Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi, who will also receive the FIPRESCI Platinum 90 Award. Honourary guests are Abel Ferrara and Wim Wenders, who will also give masterclasses.
International Competition:
3/4 (Bulgaria, Germany)
Directed by Ilian Metev
Produced by Chaconna Films
Coproduced by Sutor Kolonko
Supported by the Bulgarian National Film Center, ZDF/ARTE, ZDF-Kleines Fernsehspiel, Film und Medienstiftung NRW and MEDIA Creative Europe
Adam (Germany, Iceland, USA, Mexico)
Directed by Maria Solrun
Blockage (Iran)
Directed by Mohsen Gharaei
Facing The Wind (Spain, Argentina, France)
Directed by Meritxell Colell
Genesis (Hungary)
Directed by Árpád Bogdán
In Another Life (UK)
Directed by Jason Wingard
One Step Behind the Seraphim (Romania)
Directed by Daniel Sandu
Produced by HI Film Productions
Supported by the Romanian Film Centre
Para Aduma (Israel)
Directed by Tsivia Barkai
Radiogram (Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey)
Directed by Rouzie Hassanova
Produced by Menclips
Coproduced by Film Produkcja, Solis Film
Supported by the Bulgarian National Film Center, the Polish Film Institute, MEDIA Creative Europe
Silent Night (Poland)
Directed by Piotr Domalewski
Produced by Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
Supported by the Polish Film Institute
The Pigeon (Turkey)
Directed by Banu Sıvacı
Yeva (Armenia, Iran)
Directed by Anahid Abad