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04-02-2009

Five Bulgarian co-productions will be traded at the EFM

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    One national film and four international co-productions are scheduled at the European Film Market, denoting the highest Bulgarian involvement in the EFM to date.

    Yavor Gardev's national box office grosser Dzift, co-produced by Miramar and Bulgarian National Television, will try to expand its national success of over 35,000 viewers. In March the film will compete in the Sofia film festival.

    Defined as the biggest Bulgarian international co-production, Stephan Komandarev's The World is Big and Salvation Lurks around the Cornerwill try to add new territories to the ten already sold.

    The audience-appealing hit Prima Primavera, with a fresh award for Andor Lukáts as Best Actor at the 40th Hungarian Film Week, is included in East-West's catalogue. Moscow film fest Best Actress Vessela Kazakova (Stolen Eyes) and the popularDutch actorAntonie Kamerling are also cast in the huge Hungarian-Bulgarian-UK-Dutch co-production. Distribution of Janos Edelenyi's film begins on the co-producers' home territories. Because of Vessela's performance in Hungarian, Bulgarians are awaiting Prima Primavera with anticipation.

    Shot in collaboration with Dimitar Gotchev (Camera) the 2008 Karlovy Vary Best Director winning film Captive(from Alexey Uchitel) will also try its chance at Berlin. Turkish Reha Erdem's My Only Sunshine, made with Kalin Kalinov's direct involvement, will be shown at the Market and in the Forum.

    "Our higher presence in the EFM is very encouraging," said Georgy Cholakov, president of the National Film Council. "We dedicate 20% from the public support to co-productions. What we expect in the near future, is to increase the number of the films. In 2008 only 5 features were competed, in 2009 we would like to have 7, and in 2010 - 9. For the moment we are focused on projects in development and first feature films."