The 2026 Vasil Gendov Awards, held at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, concluded the National Festival of Bulgarian Cinema. The event featured a comprehensive selection of 112 entries, encompassing 18 feature films, 54 documentaries, 24 short features, and 16 animated films. The festival marked a historic occasion with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to two figures: composer Kiril Donchev and screenwriter Hristo Iliev-Charli, recognizing their significant contributions to Bulgarian cinema.
In the feature film category, The Herd was awarded Best Feature Film, while Lust received the jury’s Special Award. Zahari Baharov won Best Actor, and Gergana Pletnyova secured the Best Actress award. The short feature segment saw Eraserhead in a Knitted Shopping Bag win Best Short Film, with Chapter 6 earning the jury’s Special Diploma.
For documentaries, In Hell with Ivowas took home Best Documentary, and Welcome to Sinagovci was honored with the jury’s Special Award. Furthermore, Tonislav Hristov’s Truth or Dare received the Sofia Municipality Award for the most significant social message. The awards also recognized emerging talent in animation.
Under and Over the Bed, by Nevena Semova, won the Best Documentary Debut Award, and Sofia Sokerova and Sonya Ranova received the Best Animated Debut Award. Ivan Veselinov’s Kumir was named the animated film’s Special Award recipient, concluding the highly anticipated national celebration.
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