– The industry gathering will take place from 18-22 March in the Bulgarian capital, where filmmakers will be pitching their first, second or third feature-length film projects and series
Director Pavel Vesnakov, who is taking part with Witnesses (© Veselka Kiryakova)
The 30th-anniversary edition of the Sofia International Film Festival will host the 24th Sofia Meetings, the renowned industry platform for Central and Eastern European film projects, between 18 and 22 March. During those days, newcomers and seasoned filmmakers alike will be in the Bulgarian capital, pitching their first, second or third feature-length film projects and series to future co-producers, sales agents and distributors. The industry professionals on the ground will also attend closed screenings of projects at various stages of post-production and make use of networking opportunities with key decision makers.
The forum’s Projects in Development strand presents 15 titles, all first, second or third feature-length fiction film projects by directors looking for co-producers, sales and distribution. Three TV series will also be on display, from directors such as Asimina Proedrou (Behind the Haystacks [+see also:
film review
film profile]) and Pavel G Vesnakov (Windless [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Pavel G Vesnakov
film profile]), while seven films will be presented as Projects in Bank, the only strand not presented publicly, four of which are documentaries. From the fresh crop of developing projects, some that stand out are Stefan Koutzev’s follow-up to his IFFR-premiered Why Hasn’t Everything Disappeared Yet, titled Heavy Light, and Tár cinematographer Florian Hoffmeister’s new project, Her Story.
This year, the Sofia Meetings Work in Progress selection includes ten features, two of which are documentaries, and they hail from Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Nigeria and Luxembourg, amongst other countries. The forum will welcome hundreds of film professionals to its pitching sessions, workshops and talks, including a discussion on AI in the VR Immersive space of the festival, presented for the first time. Alongside the distribution-centred workshops led by Europa Cinemas and Europa Distribution (see the news), Sofia Meetings delivers a programme of industry talks supported by ACE, EAVE, MIDPOINT and the MFI, in collaboration with Thessaloniki’s Crossroads Co-production Forum/Agora Market.
Here is the full list of projects taking part:
Projects in Development
Carolina’s Dream – director TBD (Italy)
Production: Stella Leonetti (Hip Film)
The Art of Spitting – Korek Bojanowski (Poland)
Production: Marta Krzeptowska (AsterFilm), Orka Film, ViuFinder
Reconstruction – Matt Harlock (UK)
Production: Dan Dixon (Snafu Pictures)
Her Story – Florian Hoffmeister (Germany)
Production: Titus Kreyenberg (Unafilm)
Fathers – Martin Iliev (Bulgaria)
Production: Angel Ivanov (Handplayed)
Robbing Beirut – Katia Jarjoura (France/Lebanon, selected in partnership with Crossroads Co-production Forum)
Production: Michel Zana (Blue Train Films)
Heavy Light – Stefan Koutzev (Germany)
Production: Stefan Koutzev (Lautmalfilm, Academy of Media Arts Cologne)
In Those Darkest Nights – Gözde Kural (Turkey/Bulgaria)
Production: Gözde Kural, Bulut Reyhanoğlu (Toz Film Production)
Co-producer: Svetla Tsotsorkova (Front Film)
Spy Passions – Roman Pessarov (Bulgaria)
Production: Noura Al Kadri (Hot Potato), Roman Pessarov (PLONJ)
The Last Game – Andrei Redinciuc (Romania)
Production: Bogdan Crăciun, Eliza Ceprăzaru (Point Film)
Giga Makes a Sea – Strahinja Savić (Serbia/Montenegro)
Production: Andrija Lucić (Ground)
Long Dead – Milija Šćepanović (Montenegro/Croatia/North Macedonia/Serbia, selected in partnership with EAVE)
Production: Milena Charan (Taurus Production)
Co-producers: Boris T Matic (Propeler Film), Ognen Antov (Dream Factory), Igor Vranjkovic (Cineplanet)
Placeholder – Višnja Sretenović (Serbia/Germany/Bulgaria/Austria/Croatia)
Production: Biljana Prvanović (Delirium Films)
The Pot, the Lid and the Nurse – Vardan Tozija (North Macedonia)
Production: Ivana Shekutkoska (Minimal Collective)
The Kordys Case – Ondřej Zima (Czech Republic/Slovakia)
Production: Silvie Michajlova (Film Kolektiv)
Co-producer: Zuzana Mistríková (PubRes)
TV Series
The Neighbourhood (Portugal)
Creator: Pedro Magano
Director: João Nuno Pinto
Production: Nuno Bernardo, Pedro Magano (Pixbee)
Beneath the Surface
Creator/director: Asimina Proedrou (Greece)
Production: Dionyssis Samiotis (Tanweer Productions)
Witnesses
Creators: Pavel G Vesnakov, Simeon Vencislavov
Director: Pavel G Vesnakov (Bulgaria)
Production: Evtim Miloshev, Pavel G Vesnakov (Dream Team Group)
Projects in Bank
Sounds of Migration – Danny Baquero Betancourt, Lilia Manolova (France/Bulgaria/Colombia)
Production: Wilmer Moya (Green Castle)
1000 Days – Andre Chandelle (Bulgaria)
Production: Vera Chandelle (Fabrikata)
Detelina – Yordan Chichikov (Bulgaria)
Production: Irmena Chichikova, Nikolay Mutafchiev (Gemini Films)
Missing. Stories of Disappearance at Europe’s Edge – Cecilia Fasciani (Italy)
Production: Marta Melina (SMK Factory)
A Second Life – Ehab Ghafri (Bulgaria)
Production: Simona Theoharova (Caravan Fantasia)
Songs of Resilience – Kate Kotcheff (Bulgaria)
Production: Elena Doroshenko
Sophia – Dimitar Radev (Bulgaria)
Production: Hristo Dimitrov, Dimitar Radev (Palipest Films)
Works in Progress
Cowgirl – Michal Blaško (Slovakia/Czech Republic/Hungary)
Production: Jakub Viktorín, Tomáš Hrubý (nutprodukcia)
Dear Future Self – Ella Cieslinski (Germany)
Production: Nina Wesemann, Ella Cieslinski (Freundinnen Film)
Lost Years – Áron Horváth Botka (Slovenia/Serbia)
Production: Jerca Jerič, Andraž Jerič (Temporama), Set Sail Films
For You – Dimitar Kotzev – Shosho (Bulgaria/Serbia)
Production: Dimitar Kotzev – Shosho, Angel Ivanov (Kontraplan)
Co-production: Dimce Stoyanovski, Stefan Orlandic (Living Pictures)
Wild Horse in the Rotten West – Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova (Bulgaria/UK)
Production: Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova (Activist38), MK38
The Long Juju – Keme Nzerem, Tolu Stedford (UK/Nigeria/USA)
Production: Tolu Stedford, Lily Usher, Stefan Forbes (Story Compound)
Recrucified – Theo Papadoulakis (Greece/Italy/Cyprus/Luxembourg)
Production: Ioanna Davi, Dimitris Xenakis (Indigo View Productions)
Co-production: Claudio Esposito (The Piranesi Experience), Marinos Charalambous (Boycott Films), Alexander Dumreicher-Ivancenau, Bady Minck (Amour Fou Luxembourg)
Through the Tunnel – Eldora Taykova (Bulgaria)
Production: Asen Vladimirov (Pro Film)
Disqualifié – Yorgos Teltzidis (Greece/Italy)
Production: Effie Skrobola, Vassilis Tzanidis, Costas Labropoulos, George Kyriakos (View Master Films)
Co-production: Pilar Saavedra (Sajama Films)
Paris 18 – Kitodar Todorov, Jonathan Heidelberger (Bulgaria)
Production: Magdelena Ilieva (Little Wing Productions)
