The forum presented feature film projects seeking coproducers, distribution, and sales, along with TV series in development. Its Works in Progress programme showcased films in postproduction to industry professionals and international media.

The event also featured Industry Talks, workshops, the VR/Transmedia Hub, as well as networking opportunities. Over 500 film professionals attended.

One of the most interesting panels presented was Destination Bulgaria, a panel with Peter Todorov head of the National Film Centre of Bulgaria, Dr David Zitzlsperger of Denkungsart, Germany, Ivan Doykov Dare Films Bulgaria and Mira Staleva head of Sofia Meetings. The panel discussed the 25% Bulgarian cash rebate which had recently been increased from a cap of 1m EUR to 5m EUR for productions shooting in Bulgaria. Ivan Doykov praised the work of the National Film Centre and Peter Todorov over the past five years which had brought stability to the work of the centre and established the reputation of Bulgaria as a shooting location where the tax rebate and the production environment was reliable.

Sofia Meetings is organised with the support of Creative Europe MEDIA, the Bulgarian National Film Center, and the Sofia Municipality.

SOFIA MEETINGS AWARDS – PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT:

The ArteKino International Award:
Fathers (Bulgaria)
Directed by Martin Iliev
Produced by Handplayed

Producers Network (Cannes Market) Award:
The Last Game (Romania)
Directed by Andrei Redinciuc
Produced by Point Film

Doli Media Studio Award:
Giga Makes a Sea (Serbia, Montenegro)
Directed by Strahinja Savić
Produced by Ground

Cinelab Romania Award:
The Pot, the Lid and the Nurse (North Macedonia, Slovenia)
Directed by Vardan Tozija
Produced by Minimal Collective
Coproduced by 365 Films

Grey Pigeon Studios Award:
Spy Passions (Bulgaria)
Directed by Roman Pessarov
Produced by Hot Potato
Coproduced by PLONJ

Agora Networking Award:
In Those Darkest Nights (Turkey, Bulgaria)
Director Gozde Kural
Produced by Toz Film Production
Coproduced by Front Film