The State Institute for Culture Presented an Award at "BDC Discoveries" 2026
For another year, the State Institute for Culture to the Minister of Foreign Affairs is partnering with "BDC Discoveries"—an international professional development program for documentary film projects from the Balkans with international potential.
Eight projects from Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, and the UK were selected for the 2026 edition. For the first time, the program includes a special "Investigative Documentary" track, implemented with the support of the British Council.
Among the selected by an international jury projects are two Bulgarian ones: GASLIT, directed by Finn Perelstein and produced by Angel Ivanov, and I FEEL LIKE SCREAMING, directed by Olga Koleva and produced by Pavlina Zheleva. VLACH REQUIEM—directed by Maria Makedonska and Nikola Zambelli, with production company Bazuka Productions—participated as a guest project.
The project S-USA-K, by director and producer Aleš Suk, received the State Institute for Culture award—presented on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria—valued at 2000 euros. The award was presented by Nia Tabakova, Head of the Cultural Policy Department at the State Institute for Culture. VLACH REQUIEM received the DOK Leipzig festival award, while GASLIT won the British Council award. Through this support, the BDC continues its long-standing commitment to fostering international cultural cooperation and promoting a new generation of documentary filmmakers.
"BDC Discoveries" is a professional program of the Balkan Documentary Center, founded by Martichka Bozhilova. The program offers filmmakers and producers the opportunity to develop their documentary projects, work with international experts, and build connections for future co-productions and international distribution.