CineLibri 2022

CineLibri 2022 Opening Ceremony

Catalogue 2022 (Download PDF)

Press Clipping CineLibri 2022 (Download PDF)

The best of CineLibri 2022

The eigth edition of CineLibri International Book-to-Film Festival (CineLibri IFF), which annually selects and shows the most original adaptations of literary works, was held between October 8-30 in Sofia and six other cities in Bulgaria – Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo and Stara Zagora, under the motto “Time Regained” on the occasion of 100 years since the death of Marcel Proust, one of the icons of literary modernism, author of the monumental novel “In Search of Lost Time”. “Time Regained” is the title of the seventh, last volume of this majestic verbal cathedral.

The grand opening ceremony took place on October 8^th in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia and was crowned with a spectacular dance performance created by Kosta Karakashyan. After that Jacqueline Wagenstein, director and chief selector of the festival, took the stage in order to welcome the audience and all special guests. The highlight of the evening was the pre-premiere screening of Theodore Ushev’s debut feature film “φ1.618” in the presence of the production team. The film is a captivating dystopian adventure based on Vladislav Todorov’s novel “Whirligig”.

Various notions and ideas connected with time and its dimensions, had their reflections in the uncompromising film program of CineLibri, containing 60 remarkable literary adaptations of the past year. It comprised several modules named as follows: Veni, vidi, vici; Omnia vincit amor; Amor Fati; Ars Longa; Carpe diem; In vino veritas; Cogito ergo sum; Placere et docere; Ad infinitum; Homo homini lupus; Vade-mecum; Fabula Brevis. Viewers had the opportunity to choose from three international competition sections (full-length feature films, documentaries, short films) and more than 30 side events. For the first time this year, a competition for costume design in Bulgarian cinema was held within the festival program. The award, determined entirely by the audience’s vote, went to Velika Prahova, costume designer of Theodore Ushev’s film “φ1.618”.

International full-length feature film competition program encompassed 10 titles. Among them was the comedy “The Innocent” directed by Louis Garrel which won the CineLibri Best Literary Adaptation Award 2022. The esteemed Jury of the feature film competition this year was presented by: Olivier Bourdeaut – French writer who presented in Sofia his bestsellers “Waiting for Bojangles” and “Florida”; Amanda Sthers – French novelist, playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker who presented in Sofia her film “Promises” based on a novel of her own; Yassmin Pucci – Italian film and theater actress; Mario Grigorov – world-renowned film composer and pianist born in Bulgaria. The prominent Bulgarian director Kamen Kalev presided the Jury.

Apart from the members of the Jury, who personally announced the winners of this year’s awards, several other amazing creators arrived in Sofia for “live” presentations of their films and books; Maggie Peren – talented German director, writer and actress who presented in Sofia her film The Forger based on true events. It depicts the story of Cioma Schönhaus, a young Jewish man who discovers his skill in forging documents; Colm Bairéad – Irish director and screenwriter who presented his acclaimed film The Quiet Girl, Elitza Gueorgieva – Bulgarian director and writer who lives and works in Paris; Aliona Gloukhova – young writer, journalist and translator born in Minsk (Belarus); Jean-Philippe Daguerre – French theater and film actor and director who presented in Sofia the film “Farewell, Mr. Haffmann” based on a play authored by him; Samuel Finzi – famous German actor born in Bulgaria, who plays one of the key roles in the film “January” directed by Andrey Paounov.

Except the opening ceremony on October 8^th, another impressive film premiere in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia took place on October 21, immediately after the awarding ceremony. It is about the psychological drama “The Son” directed by the world-famous playwright Florian Zeller, nominated for the “Golden Lion”. In October 2022, for the first time within CineLibri, a documentary film competition was held, containing selection of five titles including the films: Milan Kundera: From The Joke to Insignificance – the only documentary about Milan Kundera’s legacy, and The Adventures of Saul Bellow which delves into the relationship between the life of the controversial author and his works. The film for Bellow was awarded the grand prize by the Jury presented by Bulgarian directors, producers and short film experts: Kostadin Bonev, Katerina Lambrinova, Asen Vladimirov.

Traditionally, the parallel program comprised a series of Gala Evenings of different cultures. Supported by the embassies and cultural institutes of the respective countries, these events brought together film experts, literary critics and diplomats of Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and Japan. As part of the educational module, a two-day lecture course on the topic “From the Idea to the Big Screen” took place, with two lecturers: Alexander Chobanov, a screenwriter and writer, and Vladimir Todorov, an artist and illustrator with many years of experience in feature and animation cinema and a number of international successes. The course was intended for students and young professionals in the field of cinema and screenwriting.

Jury of CineLibri 2022, Feature Film Competition

Kamen Kalev – President

Kamen Kalev is a Bulgarian film director and screenwriter born in 1975 in Burgas. He finished secondary education at the French high school in his hometown, then he studied two years of cinematography at NATFA. He continued his education at the National Superior School for the Professions of Image and Sound “La Fémis” in Paris. Today, Kalev is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable Bulgarian directors known for the films “Eastern Plays”, “The Island”, “Face Down”, presented at festivals in Sarajevo, Berlin, New York, Stockholm, Cannes, etc. “Eastern Plays” is his debut full-length feature film, realized without state funding. His latest film is a contemplative and elegiac triptych entitled “February” and is in the official selection of Cannes 2020.

Amanda Sthers

Amanda Sthers, a pseudonym of Amanda Queffélec-Maruani (born 18 April 1978), is a French novelist, playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker, who lives and works in Los Angeles. Her first play, “The Blonde Old Jew”, is now studied at Harvard University. She also writes works for children and is the author of more than ten novels, translated into fourteen languages. Among them stand out “My Place in the Picture”, “Madeleine”, “The Rest of Our Life” and “Holy Lands” adapted for the big screen under her direction in 2017. The novel “Promises” (2021) has been singled out by critics as one of Amanda’s most impressive novels, also adapted into a feature film under her direction. Amanda has worked with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tom Hollander, Carole Bouquet, Pierfrancesco Favino, Jean Reno, Melanie Thierry, and other talented actors. She is a recipient of the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Government.

Mario Grigorov

Mario Grigorov is a world-renowned film composer and pianist, born in Bulgaria. A musical prodigy from the age of 5, he became one of the youngest students ever admitted to the National Music Academy “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia. He continued to study music in Tehran, Vienna, Berlin, Sydney and grew as a pianist and improviser. For 20 years he lived in the USA between New York and Los Angeles. In addition to composing music for films, he has toured America and Europe as a solo pianist, collaborating with such icons as Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Charlie Haden and Bela Fleck. In 2014, together with J. K. Rowling wrote the original song for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (2016) directed by David Yates. Some of Mario’s most recognizable compositions stem from his longtime collaboration with Oscar-winning director Lee Daniels.

Yassmin Pucci

Yassmin Pucci is an actress of Persian origin born in Rome. She studied Acting in New York, where she lived for a long time. She started her career as a theater actress, and then moved on to screen acting. Yassmin had written numerous scripts and social feature short films, one of them addressing violence against women, competing in the “Action for Woman” Festival. She mainly works with foreign film production companies, making films in English, as leading actress, in countries such as Germany, the USA and Italy. In Rome, she met the film director Emiliano Ferrera, and she started a new artistic collaboration with him, not only as an actress, but also as co-screenwriter. In 2019, they wrote and produced a Western called “Oro & Piombo”. She is now in the process of writing a book about the Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, her maternal grandmother, twin sister of the last Persian Shah.

Olivier Bourdeaut

Born in 1980, Olivier Bourdeaut is the French writer who authored the “crazy” book “Waiting for Bojangles” (En attendant Bojangles). Immediately after its release in 2014, the novel aroused enormous reader interest and was awarded 5 (five!) awards: France Culture-Télérama, the RTL-Lire grand prize, the Emmanuel Roblès prize, the Roman France Television prize and the Prize of the Literary Academy of Breton and of the Loire region. The book was adapted into a hugely successful film by director Régis Roinsard, starring Virginie Efira and Romain Duris. Olivier Bourdeaut’s new novel is titled “Florida” and is among the literary highlights of the CineLibri 2022 program.

OFFICIAL SELECTION, Feature Film Competition

Module: Veni, vidi, vici

PHI1.618 (Bulgaria, Canada 2022). Sci-fi dystopian adventure directed by Theodore Ushev and based on the novel “Whirligig” by Vladislav Todorov. Stars: Deyan Donkov, Martina Apostolova, Irmena Chichikova, Vassil Duev, Gerasim Georgiev-Gero, Vladimir Lyutskanov, Ivo Dimchev, Georgi Lozanov, Nikolay Stanoev

THE HUMMINGBIRD (Italy, France, 2022) Profoundly moving nonlinear drama directed by Francesca Archibugi and based on the eponymous novel by Sandro Veronesi. Original title: Il Colibri. Stars: Pierfrancesco Favino, Bérénice Bejo, Benedetta Porcaroli, Kasia Smutniak, Nanni Moretti, Laura Morante

THE QUIET GIRL (Ireland 2022) Beautiful and compassionate drama directed by Colm Bairéad and based on the novella Foster authored by Claire Keegan. Original title: An Cailín Ciúin. Stars: Catherine Clinch, Carrie Crowley, Andrew Bennett

THE INNOCENT (France, 2022). Brilliant comedy thriller directed by Louis Garrel and based on a screenplay by Louis Garrel, Tanguy Viel and Naïla Guiguet. Original title: L’innocent. Stars: Louis Garrel, Anouk Grinberg, Yanisse Kebbab, Roschdy Zem, Noémie Merlant

THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (Italy, Belgium, France, 2022) A coming-of-age tale set over three decades about two young Italian boys. Directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch. Original title: Le Otto Montagne. Stars: Alessandro Borghi, Luca Marinelli, Filippo Timi

SCARLET (France, Italy, Germany, 2022) Historical romantic drama directed by Pietro Marcello. Loose adaptation of Scarlet Sails – a novel by Alexander Grin. Original film title: L’envol. Stars: Raphaël Thiéry, Juliette Jouan, Noémie Lvovsky, Yolande Moreau, Louis Garrel

LIVING (Great Britain, 2022) Drama film directed by Oliver Hermanus from a screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro. English-language adaptation of the script of “Ikiru” (1952) directed by Akira Kurosawa. Stars: Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp, Adrian Rawlins, Hubert Burton, Oliver Chris

PETER VON KANT (France, Belgium, 2022) Romantic drama film written and directed by François Ozon. It is a loose adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s play The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, which he adapted into a film in 1972, but here with the protagonist’s gender changed. Stars: Denis Ménochet, Isabelle Adjani, Khalil Ben Gharbia, Hanna Schygulla, Stéfan Crépon, Aminthe Audiard

BEFORE, NOW & THEN (Indonesia, 2022) Directed by Kamila Andini, this stunning, precisely calibrated drama presents an emotionally nuanced exploration of one woman in rural Indonesia during the 1960s. Original title: Nana. Stars: Happy Salma, Laura Basuki, Arswendy Bening Swara

NOSTALGIA (Italy, France 2022) Drama film co-written and directed by Mario Martone, based on a novel by Ermanno Rea. The film premiered at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, in the official competition for Palme d’Or. Stars: Pierfrancesco Favino, Francesco Di Leva, Tommaso Ragno

AWARDS 2022, Feature Film Competition

CineLibri Best Literary Adaptation Award 2022 in the full-length feature film competition was bestowed on the French comedy “The Innocent”(2022) directed by Louis Garrel. The award was accompanied by an exquisite statuette.

The decision was motivated as follows: “The Innocent” receives the award because of the masterful direction, which provided a true, at the same time funny and inventive “transfer” of real events to the big screen, a balanced rhythm of the action, a gradual and complex unfolding of the plot. The jury praises the honest, skillfully nuanced characters, the talented acting that is in sync achieved with palpable ease and finesse, and the exciting twists and turns, garnished with memorable music and multi-faceted humor.”

Key criteria for identifying and determining the winner:

an original, visionary director’s approach to the interpretation of true events
masterfully selected casting and well-built characters with the expressive means of cinema;
influential cinematography and skillful transmission of the messages of the script to the big screen

CONTEMPORARY PRODUCTIONS OUT OF COMPETITION

Module: Omnia vincit amor

Other People’s Children (2022). A childless woman forms a deep bond with her boyfriend’s young daughter in this dramedy written and directed by Rebecca Zlotowski. With Virginie Efira, Roschdy Zem, Chiara Mastroianni.

Waiting for Bojangles (2022). In front of their little boy, Camille and Georges dance to their favorite song “Mr Bojangles” in this delightful dramatic romance directed by Régis Roinsard and based on Olivier Bourdeaut’s eponymous bestseller.

Don Juan (2022). Laurent who is jilted on his wedding day, subsequently embarks upon a wild quest. Musical dramedy written and directed by Serge Bozon and Axelle Ropert.

The Return of Casanova (2022). The great Italian actor Tony Servillo plays the role of the glorious the Venetian libertine. Here Casanova has trouble facing the fact that he’s over 60. Hypnotic drama directed by Gabriele Salvatores.

The Time of Secrets (2022). Marcel Pagnol embarks on his last summer vacation before high school and returns to his beloved hills in Provence. Biographical drama directed by Christophe Barratier and based on Marcel Pagnol’s novel.

Superheroes (2021). Anna, a cartoonist with a nonconformist personality, and Marco, a physics teacher convinced that everything is ruled by a kind of formula, are the proof that couples need superpowers to love each other for a lifetime. Directed by Paolo Genovese, the film is adaptation of his own novel.

Module: Amor Fati

Maigret (2022). In Paris, a girl is found dead in a Parisian square, wearing an evening dress. Commissioner Maigret will try to understand what happened to the victim. Brilliant mystery directed by Patrice Leconte and based on Georges Simenon’s novel Maigret et la jeune morte.

Colors of the Fire (2022). After the death of her father, Madeleine Péricourt should have inherited his financial empire but she fell prey to a conspiracy leading her to ruin. Stunning historical drama directed by Clovis Cornillac and based on Pierre Lemaitre’s masterpiece.

The Sitting Duck (2022). A tense investigation set in the world of nuclear power and politics. Directed by Jean-Paul Salomé and based on a novel by Caroline Michel-Aguirre. With the gorgeous French actress Isabelle Huppert!

Vanishing (2021). A French forensic expert still haunted by her past, comes to Seoul to present her work. Drawn into network trafficking, she needs to face her fears.Mysterious drama thriller directed by Denis Dercourt and based on Peter May’s novel “The Killing Room”.

January (2021) A co-production of Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Portugal, this film – a genre mix between drama, mystery and horror – is an adaptation of the famous play by Yordan Yovkov, one of the classics of Bulgarian literature and theatre.

Erna at War (2020) A co-production of Denmark, Estonia and Belgium, this impressive war drama starring the talented actress Trine Dyrholm is based on a novel by Erling Jepsen. Directed by Henrik Ruben Genz.

Module: Ars Longa

DaliLand (2022) A co-production of USA, France and Great Britain, this magnificent biopic depicts the aging genius Salvador Dali (Ben Kingsley) and his beloved companion in life – Gala (Barbara Sukowa). Directed by Mary Haron.

Notre Dame on Fire (2022) A crying indictment to the entire system (or lack of system) that was supposed to protect and preserve from the risk of fire one of the most ancient and beautiful monuments of the world. Directed by the legendary Jean-Jacques Annaud.

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (2022) A giant talkative frog, a lost cat, and a tsunami help a bank employee, his wife and a schizophrenic accountant to save Tokyo from an earthquake… Sci-Fi animation directed by Pierre Földes and based on a short story by Haruki Murakami.

Shakespeare Like A Street Dog (2022) Three teenagers live in a brutal Roma ghetto in Sofia, Bulgaria.One of them is in love with literature but to make ends meet he needs to become a boxer. A touching drama written and directed by Valeri Yordanov.

Module: Carpe diem

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022) A widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own. Charming dramedy directed by Anthony Fabian and based on Paul Gallico’s novel.

Diary of Spices (2021) Luca and Andreas belong to two different worlds, art and cuisine, and they are complete opposites. Yet when Luca meets Andreas, he senses the time has finally come to make a radical career change. Mysterious thriller written and directed by Massimo Donati.

Eugénie Grandet (2021) Felix Grandet reigns supreme in his modest house in Saumur with his wife and daughter Eugenie. The sudden arrival of Grandet’s nephew, an orphaned and ruined Parisian dandy, turns the young girl’s life upside down. Magnificent adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s novel.

The Blessed (2020) An innocent love, a priceless medicine and a chance meeting with the future president of the USA, John Kennedy, turn Bobby’s life around. Bulgarian film drama directed by Stanimir Trifonov and based on the works of writer Emil Andreev.

Madame (2017) A rich man’s fortune cookie reads: “Tonight you’ll meet someone special.” He meets a maid, made aristocrat for one evening at a dinner in Paris. They spend the night together while the hostess stalks them. A funny romantic dramedy written and directed by Amanda Sthers.

Module: In vino veritas

Tonbi (2022) Yasuo’s life seems great till the day when his wife dies in accident. So he, who never experienced parents’ love himself, has to raise his son Akira alone. An exquisite Japanese drama based on the novel “Tonbi” by Kiyoshi Shigematsu and directed by Takahisa Zeze.

For the Rest of Our Lives (2021) Romantic dramedy about four married couples find out that their marriage is not valid because celebrated by a man that was not a real priest. Directed by Paolo Costella and written by Filippo Bologna, Paolo Costella and Paolo Genovese.

The Pact (2021) Biographical drama about the intense friendship between the Danish author Karen Blixen and Thorkild Bjørnvig, a young and promising poet. Directed by Bille August and based on Thorkild Bjørnvig’s memoir.

Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake (2021) In a small town located in the island of Mallorca, Anna and Marina, two sisters who were separated when they were teenagers, meet again to sell a bakery. Dramatic romance directed by Benito Zambrano and based on Cristina Campos’s novel.

Promises (2021) A love that never lived is a love that can never die. In the end, only nostalgia and sadness for unfulfilled promises remain. An exciting love drama, co-production of Italy and France, written and directed by Amanda Steers.

Blindness (2008) In this outstanding film drama a city is ravaged by an epidemic of instant white blindness. Critically acclaimed and awarded numerous prizes, “Blindness” is directed by Fernando Meirelles and based on the eponymous masterpiece by José Saramago.

JURY OF CINELIBRI 2022, Documentary Film Competition

Kostadin Bonev – President

Kostadin Bonev is a Bulgarian director and screenwriter, known for the documentaries “Nikola Vaptsarov. Five Stories about a Shooting” (2013) awarded with a documentary film award at the 2013 “Golden Rhyton” festival, and “Geo Milev in the Labyrinth of Time” (2022). Over the years, Bonev also directed a number of feature films such as “Away from the Shore” (2018), “Uprooting” (2017), “The Sinking of Sozopol” (2014) – an adaptation of Ina Valchanova’s novel, “War Correspondent” (2008) and others.

Katerina Lambrinova

Katerina Lambrinova is a film critic and screenwriter, editor in the magazine “Cinema”, creative producer in the production studio of Bulgarian National Television “Ekran” (Screen) and artistic director of various festivals, including the Rhodope International Documentary Film Festival (RIFE), which unites free screenings of Bulgarian and international documentaries with workshops between students and filmmakers.

Asen Vladimirov

Asen Vladimirov worked for many years at “Vreme” (Time) studios, and later founded the “Pro Film” production company. As a producer, screenwriter, director and co-director, he has more than 50 documentaries and feature films in his portfolio. He is the director of the films “About Ernrott: Impartially”, “Reconstruction”, “Pawn Sacrifice”, “The Bookseller”, “Cambridge” and many others.

DOCUMENTARIES | Module: Cogito ergo sum

Theodore Ushev: Unseen Connections (2022) An emotional and profound documentary portrait of the world famous and Oscar nominated visual artist Theodore Ushev in a journey of time and space. Co-production of Bulgaria and Canada directed by Borislav Kolev.

The Followed Man (2022) Screenwriter and director Veselin Branev reads his file in the archives of the communist State Security and there he encounters a distorted version of his own past. Written and directed by Dimitar Kotzev-Shosho.

Milan Kundera: From The Joke to Insignificance (2021) What in Milan Kundera’s work got him the status of a legendary author? What is so unique about his books? It’s the first documentary about the unfathomable author’s legacy, directed by Milos Smídmajer.

The Adventures of Saul Bellow (2021) An Israeli documentarian delves into the relationship between life and works of the controversial author Saul Bellow, defined by critic James Wood as the greatest American prose stylist of the 20th century. Wonderful documentary written and directed by Asaf Galay.

Our Quiet Place (2021) Elitza Gueorguieva tells the story of Aliona’s father, a silent dissident and Chernobyl engineer, mysteriously disappears into the sea one day. Twenty years later, Aliona leaves her country, Belarus, to write a novel about this story, in a language other than her own.

AWARDS 2022, Documentary Film Competition

CineLibri Award 2022 in the documentary film competition was bestowed on “The Adventures of Saul Bellow” (2021) written and directed by Asaf Galay.

The decision was motivated as follows: “The Adventures of Saul Bellow” receives the award because of the professional approach, visual ingenuity and insightful study of the life and work of one of the greatest writers of the 20th century – Saul Bellow”.

The jury in the documentary film competition also awarded an Honorary Distinction – to the film “Theodore Ushev: Unseen Connections” directed by Borislav Kolev, “for the in-depth and multi-layered portrait of one of the important contemporary Bulgarian artists with a high horizon and a free, cosmopolitan spirit.”

FILMS FOR CHILDREN | Module: Placere et docere

Little Nicholas (2022) Adorable family animation inspired by the famous Little Nicholas book series authored by René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé! Deservedly acclaimed co-production of France and Luxembourg, directed by Amandine Fredon and Benjamin Massoubre.

Florentine Night (1939) Bulgarian film composed of two separate stories that are woven in parallel in the plot, and is a romantic account of the strange manifestations of love. Written and directed by Sotir Gelev. Based on texts by Heinrich Heine and Gérard de Nerval.

The Wizard of Oz (1939) Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz in this classic adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s book directed by Victor Fleming. The film won 2 Oscars and was nominated for Palme d’Or.

100th ANNIVERSARY OF ANGEL WAGENSTEIN | Module: Ad infinitum

Stars in Her Hair, Tears in Her Eyes (1977) When the lead actress in a troupe falls ill, the local teacher plays her part. She decides to join the theater group and shares in their triumphs and humiliations… A heartwarming drama written by Angel Wagenstein and directed by Ivan Nitchev.

Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment (1971) Based on Lion Feuchtwanger’s novel, this film about the famous painter played by the great Lithuanian actor Donatas Banionis, is one of ten East German films originally shot in 70mm. Goya was nominated for the Golden Prize at the 1971 Moscow International Film Festival.

Stars (1959) The tragic love of a Jewish girl and a Nazi officer is presented as a symbol of human purity defeated by fascism and racial prejudice. An intimate war drama written by Angel Wagenstein and directed by Konrad Wolf. Winner of the Grand Prize of the Jury of Cannes Film Festival.

PANEL "THE HOLOCAUST AND TODAY'S CHALLENGES" | Module: Homo homini lupus

The Forger (2022) A 21-years-old Jewish escapes the Gestapo and saves lives thanks to his ability to forge passports. But his other talent was rarer: forging his own identity. Biographical drama written and directed by Maggie Peren and based on Cioma Schönhaus’s book.

Farewell Mr. Haffmann (2021) After the Nazi occupation of Paris, a talented jeweller, Joseph Haffmann, arranges for his family to flee the city and offers one of his employee the chance to take over his store. Remarkable drama directed by Fred Cavayé and based on Jean-Philippe Daguerre’s play.

Sophie’s Choice (1982) Sophie is the survivor of Nazi concentration camps, who has found a reason to live with Nathan, a sparkling if unsteady American Jew obsessed with the Holocaust. Acclaimed dramatic romance directed by Alan J. Pakula and based on William Styron’s novel.

JURY OF CINELIBRI 2022, Short Film Competition

Yana Titova

Yana Titova is an actress, director and screenwriter born in1983 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. As a director, her name is associated with some of the most watched Bulgarian films in recent years – “A Dose of Happiness” (2019), an adaptation of the dramatic autobiographical story of journalist Vesela Toteva, and episodes of the TV series “Stolen Life”. As an actress, Yana is best known for the films “Hunting Down Small Predators”, “Sneakers” and “Footsteps in the Sand”.

Yulian Spasov

Yulian Spasov is an entrepreneur, programmer, designer, film director, founder of the “Cinematograph Media” association – the first Bulgarian organization entirely focused on short films. He directed the first Bulgarian film shot entirely by teenagers – Teenday 3, which won the “Special Jury Mention” award in the “Best Student Film” category at the Tokyo festival. He was nominated for the “Flight in Art” award of the “Stoyan Kambarev” Foundation.

Peter Vulchev

Peter Vulchev is a director and screenwriter who graduated from NATFA with “Cinema” and “Photography”. In 2012, he shot his debut film as a director “Shhh… Sing to Me!”. In 2018, his documentary “A Monologue in the Intermission” was released. It was included in the program of 40 film festivals and won 6 awards, including award for best documentary and for best editing. In 2021, his short film “Good Night, Lily”, starring Violeta Gindeva.

SHORT FILMS: COMPETITION | Module: Fabula Brevis

Seven Deadly Sins (2022) The film is based on stories by F. M. Dostoyevsky, accompanied by the music of P. Tchaikovsky. Directors: Dimitar Dimitrov, Milko Lazarov. Screenwriters: Milko Lazarov, Ekaterina Churilova

Cerebral Poetry (2022) The film is inspired by the poetry of Rosen Karamfilov. Director and screenwriter: Victoria Karakoleva. With the participation of: Rosen Karamfilov

Anyuta (2022) The film is based on the story of the same name by Anton P. Chekhov. Director: Mariana Troanska. Producer: Anastasia Milenkova. Starring: Irmena Chichikova, Bogdan Bukhalov

Boat In The Forest (2022) The film is inspired by the work of the same name by Nikolay Haitov. Director and screenwriter: Stefan Tenev. Starring: Anastasia Levordashka, Ivaylo Simeonov

Tracks Of Time (2022) The film is inspired by a story by Dino Buzzati. Director and screenwriter: Velianna Kasheva. Starring: Vladimir Dimitrov, Ivan Burnev, Irinei Konstantinov, Radosveta Vasileva and others.

SPECIAL GUESTS OF CINELIBRI 2022

Maggie Peren

Born in 1974 in Heidelberg, Germany, Maggie is a director, writer and actress. In 2022 her film “The Forger” was released and instantly attracted critical attention. It was presented as a Berlinale Special Gala screening. The script is hers, but it is inspired by the true story of Cioma Schönhaus played by Louis Hofmann.

Colm Bairéad

Colm Bairéad is an Irish director and screenwriter known for the movie “The Quiet Girl” (An Cailín Ciúin) based on the short story “Foster” by Claire Keegan. In addition to being this year’s Irish submission for the Oscars, the film has won twelve awards so far, including Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury at the Berlinale.

Elitza Gueorgieva

Elitza Gueorgieva was born in Sofia in 1982. Since 2000 she has been living and working in France. After graduating with master’s degrees in filmmaking and creative writing, she devoted to several artistic projects including documentaries, literary writing and multimedia performances. In 2017 she authored the documentary Every Wall Is a Door (2 Special Mentions of the jury of Cinéma du réel in Paris). Our Quiet Place is her second documentary film.

Aliona Gloukhova

Born in Minsk (Belarus) in 1984, Aliona Gloukhova studied visual arts at St. Petersburg University. Her first book, “I’m Home in the Water”, is dedicated to her father, who disappeared without a trace. Her latest book is entitled “On the Other Side of the Skin”. She worked as a translator, journalist, teacher.

Jean-Philippe Daguerre

Jean-Philippe Daguerre is a French theater and film actor, playwright and director, born in 1968 in Montauban. He founded and managed the company “Le Grenier de Babouchka”. In 2016, he created a play inspired by real events – it is entitled “Farewell, Mr. Haffmann” and was adapted for the big screen in 2021.

Samuel Finzi

Samuel Finzi was born in 1966 in Plovdiv. He graduated acting in National Academy for Theatre and Film Art, Sofia, in the class of Professor Dimitrina Gyurova (1992). He had specialization in “Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute”, New York (1994). Since 1989 Samuel Finzi lives and works in Germany and nowadays he is a true star of the German theater.