The second edition of the Sveti Vlas Film Fest in 2023 was entirely dedicated to Bulgarian cinema.
The festival selection, chosen by the committee headed by Dr. Deyan Statulov and Toni Dobrinska, included some of the highest-grossing native titles. Moviegoers by the sea enjoyed not only some of the most current films, but also the opportunity to meet live with some of the cast and crew.
The chairman of the jury was Martin Makariev – the director, screenwriter and producer. The star team was completed by the actor Bashar Rahal, who participated in a number of Hollywood productions, the actress and TV presenter Diana Lyubenova, the legend in journalism – Ivan Garelov, as well as the producer and cameraman Dimitar Gochev.
06 July 2023
DAILY INDOOR COMPETITION PROGRAM
Bulgarian Ship Sinks
Bulgaria | 2022 | 93 min.
The director is Petrinel Gochev, based on a script by Gergana Zmiycharova and Petrinel Gochev. The cinematographer is Rumen Vassilev, and the music is by Dimitar Velichkov-Schmid.
Block
Bulgaria | 2022 | 107 min.
Director: Todor Matsanov
Screenwriter: Todor Macanov and Francesco Fratini
Cinematographer: Damian Dimitrov
Starring: Stefan Denolyubov, Borislav Chuchkov, Daria Simeonova and others.
Anna
Bulgaria | 2022 | 97 min.
Directed by Borimir Ilkov – Bono, based on the script by Teodora Markova. The cinematographer is Martin Dimitrov, and the music is composed by Minko Lambov. In the main role – Radina Kardzhilova.
OPENING CEREMONY OF SVETI VLAS FILM FEST 2023
Evening COMPETITION PROGRAM
Petya of My Petya
Bulgaria | 2021 | 90 min.
Bulgarian feature film, inspired by the life and work of the poetess Petya Dubarova. Directed by Alexander Kosev, based on a script by Neli Dimitrova and Valentina Angelova. The operator is Ivan Vatsov, and the music is composed by the composer Georgi Strezov.
The opening night of the festival started in the Amphitheater “Arena” with the film “Petya of My Petya”, followed by “Anna”, “Stock market players”, “Dante’s Paradise”, “After the season”, “Escape” and others.
“Shakespeare as a Street Dog” by director and screenwriter Valeri Yordanov won awards in four categories: “Best Film”, “Best Cinematography”, “Lead Male Role” and “Best Screenplay”.
07 July 2023
DAILY INDOOR COMPETITION PROGRAM
Yellow Oleander
Bulgaria | 2022 | 98 min.
The director is Petrinel Gochev, based on a script by Gergana Zmiycharova and Petrinel Gochev. The cinematographer is Rumen Vassilev, and the music is by Dimitar Velichkov-Schmid.
Shakespeare Like A Street Dog
Bulgaria | 2022 | 90 min.
Directed by Lachezar Avramov, based on a script by Dimitar Stoyanovich. The operator is Torsten Lipstock, and the music is by Ace Vaptsarov.
Mother
Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Poland | 2021 | 117 min.
Directed by Zornitsa Sofia, based on a script by Zornitsa Sofia and Milena Dimova. The cinematographer is Krum Rodriguez, and the music is by Minko Lambov. In the main role – Daria Simeonova.
Snowcrawler
Bulgaria | 2021 | 95 min.
Director and screenwriter: Niki Stanchev, cinematographer: Alex Vasilev, starring: Zlatka Keremedchieva, Kostadin Sultov, Nikola Parvanov and others.
Evening COMPETITION PROGRAM
SpeculatorS
Bulgaria | 2022 | 106 min.
The director is Georgi Kostov, based on the script by Alexander Chobanov. The cinematographer is Martin Dimitrov, and the music is composed by Maria Karakusheva and Ivan Shopov.
SVETI VLAS FILM FEST 2023 GALA DINNER
DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE
During the film forum, many side events were organized: a gala evening with unrivaled glamor and the presence of dozens of celebrities from the show business, cocktails and discussions where directors, producers, actors and screenwriters from different groups in the guild exchanged experiences. This touch of magic in the atmosphere gave that added value to the festival, which is a guarantee that it has fulfilled its mission, which is to unite on the way to the cinema.
08 July 2023
DAILY INDOOR COMPETITION PROGRAM
Out of Season
Bulgaria | 2022 | 109 min.
Director: Ivan Panev, screenwriter: Marin Damyanov, Docho Bodjakov, cinematographer: Hristo Genkov, starring: Veselin Anchev, Krasimir Dokov, Kalin Vrachanski, Ioana Bukovska and others.
Dante's Heaven
Bulgaria | 2021 | 112 min.
Director and screenwriter: Dimitar Radev, cinematographer: Kaloyan Bozhilov, in the roles: Vlado Penev, Radina Borshosh
Escape
Bulgaria | 2022 | 102 min.
Director: Viktor Bozhinov, screenwriter: Delyana Maneva, cinematographer: Anton Bakarski, in the roles: Hristo Petkov, Diana Dimitrova, Ivan Savov and others.
The Art Of Falling
Bulgaria | 2022 | 108 min.
Director: Orlin Milchev, screenwriter: Marin Damyanov, Neda Filcheva, cinematographer: Emil Hristov, starring: Zhoreta Nikolova, Martina Troanska, Dimitar Nikolov, Valeri Yordanov and others.
VIP cocktail by the sea
“Sea Deeper“ #withGalaxyS23 Ultra
On July 8 at 7:30 p.m. we will be waiting for you at a special VIP cocktail by the seashore – “Sea Deeper” #withGalaxyS23 Ultra at Marina Dinevi Yacht Port, where you will have the opportunity to dive deep into the world of photography and capture the moment with the latest 200MP camera.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the deep blue sea through the SAMSUNG Summer Photo Corner while capturing epic shots like never before, even at night or in low light.
Share your aquatic adventures with the world and let your creativity flow with every click.
Join us for an unforgettable sea experience.
SVETI VLAS FILM FEST 2023 AWARDS AND CLOSING CEREMONY
Evening COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Naked Truth About the Zhiguli Band
Bulgaria | 2021 | 106 min.
Directed by Viktor Bozhinov, based on a script by Neli Dimitrova and Valya Nikolova. The cinematographer is Anton Bakarski, and the music is composed by the composer Georgi Dimitrov – Zoro and Petar Dundakov.
Jury 2023
Martin Makariev
Bulgarian film director, screenwriter and producer. He is the director of the films “In the Heart of the Machine”, which became Bulgaria’s Oscar submission and won first prize at the Golden Rose Film Festival, “Trust Game”, “Wild and Happy” and others.
Bashar Rahal
Bulgarian actor, present in the ranks of the “Tear and Laughter” theater. Bashar Rahal became 100% recognizable by Bulgarian viewers after his participation in the series “Glass House”, he also received one of the main roles in the series “The Tree of Life”, and entered the house of the comedy series “House Arrest”. He also successfully coped with his role as the host of the popular sci-fi series “Great Mysteries” in Los Angeles, where he appeared in more than 20 American productions, among them “Unit”, “The Squad”, “Frozen Death” and one of the most the most watched and most expensive series of all time – “24”.
Diana Lubenova
Actress and TV presenter, she played in performances of the Military Club, Ivan Vazov National Theater, Bulgarian Army Theater and others. There is a rich palette of images in cinema as well, both in Bulgarian and foreign productions. The foreign films in which he participated are – “The Code”, “Conan the Barbarian” and “Dangerous Guest”. In them, she has partnered with Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, John Travolta, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Momoa and others.
Ivan Garelov
Bulgarian journalist and TV presenter. He started working as an editor in “Narodna Vladje” v., and then gained experience in BTA. In 1973, he joined BNT as a reporter. During these years, he realized a number of documentaries from hot spots on the planet.
