The 20th anniversary edition of the largest Bulgarian forum for student short films will take place from November 1, 2024, to November 5, 2024 in Sofia. Organized by the American Foundation for Bulgaria, the festival will once again offer young filmmakers a platform to reach a wide audience.
Screenings will be held at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts. For the festival period, films will also be available for free in a dedicated section of the popular online platform Neterra.TV+.
The program features 65 films by talented young directors from 29 countries. For the first time, a film from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre will compete, with its creators attending the screening in person. Bulgarian students and audiences will have the opportunity to meet and interact with peers from Romania, Italy, Lithuania, Indonesia, Croatia, Israel, and Singapore.
The winners of Early Bird 2024 will be selected by a distinguished international jury:
Gal Zigmond, Israel – Jury President and winner of the Early Bird Grand Prize 2023 for the film Déjà Vu.
Dr. Emma Konstantinova, Bulgaria – A renowned director, screenwriter, editor, and producer, and head of the Film and Television Production Department at NATFA "Krastyo Sarafov."
Adam Balazs, Hungary – An internationally acclaimed film composer known for his diverse and emotionally charged works, including the Oscar-winning Sing (2016) for Best Short Film.
A highlight of the festival program will be a Masterclass by Adam Balazs on Composing for TV and Film. Organized in collaboration with Cinephonia, this masterclass will showcase the renowned Hungarian composer discussing his approach to film scoring, focusing on the fusion of traditional orchestral elements with modern electronic sounds.
The opening of the 20th anniversary edition of Early Bird will be on November 1, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Aula of NATFA, Stefan Karadzha St. 20.
We look forward to welcoming you!