This year the Sofia international film festival celebrates its 25^th anniversary. This edition of the festival kicks off with a screening of Kamen Kalev’s latest film – February. Kamen Kalev is famous for inviting more amateurs than professional actors to act in his films, a fact which has earned him awards at prestigious film festivals, such as the festival in Cannes where he presented his debut “Eastern plays” (2009) as well as “The island” (2011).

Again tonight Theodosii Spassov is to be awarded the Sofia Grand Prix for his contribution to cinema and music. At the end of 2020 the virtuoso kaval player presented his documentary “Penguin dance” about life in Antarctica and the Bulgarian polar expedition there, with music composed during the time the musician spent there.

Because of the pandemic this year the festival will be in hybrid form. More than 70 films will be available online

At the same time almost 130 films will be screened in cinemas in Sofia, said the festival’s director Stefan Kitanov.

The 25th Sofia Film Festival will take place in two parts: real and special. The real festival is from 11^th to 31^st March, the special edition is planned for mid-September 2021.

Editing by Elena Karkalanova