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New €50,000 prize aims to boost first-time filmmakers in eastern Europe
FFC Bulgaria, the national chapter of the Female Film Club, has unveiled a new production prize to help launch the filmmaking careers of first-time directors across eastern Europe. Backed by First Draft Productions, the International Film Festival Glasgow (IFFG) and Film Forge, the award combines a €50,000 production grant with guaranteed studio access at Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia.
The idea is straightforward: give emerging filmmakers both money and real production capacity. Winners will receive the cash plus on-site facilities and equipment, so projects don’t stall between a promising script and an actual shoot. Applications close on Feb. 22; a jury will convene through early May and the winner will be announced on May 18 at the Cannes Film Festival. To apply, projects must include a Bulgarian co-producer and the filmmaker must be a member of FFC Bulgaria.
Who’s judging — and what they bring
An international panel of seasoned industry figures will assess submissions, looking at artistic ambition, production feasibility and market potential. The confirmed jury blends festival programmers, producers and distribution specialists: chair Sara Putt (long-time agent and BAFTA chair); festival director-producer Jacqueline Wagenstein; Benelux talent executive Vanessa Henneman; Bulgarian distribution expert Nina Blagoeva; cross-border development producer Morgan Cano Long; writer-director Lisa Cole; and producer-director Mariana Conde-Grant. Their combined experience spans talent representation, festivals, financing and audience strategy, which should help identify projects that can both move viewers and reach buyers.
Founders and organisational voices — not just observers
Representatives from the prize’s founding organisations will also take part in deliberations. That group includes FFC Bulgaria co-creator Krassimira Belev, IFFG chair Martin I. Petrov, founders Liza Van Der Smissen and Nicole Lieberman, plus a Film Forge delegate. Organisers stress the prize is more than a cheque: recipients must use allocated studio time and equipment, turning creative plans into tangible production work and reducing the all-too-common gap between concept and completion.
Why this matters for regional storytellers
A persistent barrier for many eastern European filmmakers is access to infrastructure. This prize tackles that problem by tying funding to studio resources and a local co-producer, which lowers logistical hurdles and increases the odds of finishing a professional shoot. Beyond the practical help, the programme offers mentorship and network access: founders and jurors will advise on scheduling, technical priorities and distribution strategy, helping projects transition from festival interest to market-ready titles.
Evidence from similar initiatives suggests this combination works. Projects that receive both resource support and industry guidance tend to reach post-production faster and secure festival slots and sales more often than those with only one form of backing. organisers hope the prize will produce films that are rooted in local culture yet able to travel commercially.
What to submit and the timeline
Entries should present a clear production plan, a committed Bulgarian co-producer and realistic use of Nu Boyana’s studio facilities. All genres and lengths are eligible, provided the co-producer and FFC Bulgaria membership requirements are met. The deadline is Feb. 22; the jury’s deliberations continue into May, with the winner revealed at Cannes on May 18 to maximize exposure among industry buyers and festival programmers. Applicants should follow official channels for detailed rules and updates.
How this fits with current festival trends
The prize arrives amid a festival season that has favored intimate, socially rooted storytelling — quiet, character-led films that resonate beyond their immediate settings. Recent festival coverage, from Berlin to Santa Barbara, highlights a clear appetite for films that knit personal experience into broader social or historical frames. That preference is likely to shape what projects gain traction in this competition: films that combine emotional immediacy with thoughtful context may stand out.
Practical benefits and wider impact
Winning projects gain more than validation. The combination of funding, guaranteed studio time, mentorship and a Cannes announcement can change the trajectory of a debut film — making it easier to attract co-producers, sales agents and festival invitations. For the local industry, the model aims to build repeatable production pathways and foster longer-term capacity, especially for women and non-binary filmmakers working away from major production hubs. As Krassimira Belev has said, the goal is to make filmmaking feel attainable, not distant.
Final note
This prize offers a pragmatic path from idea to screen: money, facilities, local partners and industry matchmaking. If you’re an emerging eastern European filmmaker with a first-time project and a Bulgarian co-producer lined up, consider applying before Feb. 22 — the combination of studio access and festival visibility could be the push your film needs.