The 2026 Vasil Gendov Awards, presented by the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, concluded the National Festival of Bulgarian Cinema. The festival featured a wide array of submissions, totaling 112 films across categories including 18 feature films, 54 documentaries, 24 short features, and 16 animated works. The ceremony marked a historic moment for the Bulgarian film industry, as the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to two distinguished figures: composer Kiril Donchev and screenwriter Hristo Iliev-Charli, acknowledging their substantial contributions to Bulgarian cinema.
In the main categories, The Herd secured the Best Feature Film Award. The jury’s Special Award for feature film went to Lust. Zahari Baharov was honored with the Best Actor Award, and Gergana Pletnyova received the Best Actress Award.
Recognition was also given to emerging talent and specific genres. In the short feature category, Eraserhead in a Knitted Shopping Bag won Best Short Film, while Chapter 6 received the jury’s Special Diploma. The documentary sector saw In Hell with Ivowas win Best Documentary, with Welcome to Sinagovci earning the jury’s Special Award.
The Sofia Municipality Award for the most significant social message was presented to Tonislav Hristov for Truth or Dare. Furthermore, Nevena Semova received the Best Documentary Debut Award for Jar of Time. The National Festival also recognized animation, awarding the Best Animated Debut to Sofia Sokerova and Sonya Ranova for Under and Over the Bed, while Ivan Veselinov took the jury’s Special Award for *Kumir
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