“All measures include the prohibition of cultural public events and mass gatherings of people on the territory of Bulgaria. Our actions comply with the agreed measures and recommendations of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ministry of Healthcare and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as the Bulgarian National Film Center and the Sofia Municipality”, according to an official statement from the festival.

In turn, the Minister of Culture Boil Banov told the local media that he is expecting the quarantine to last no longer than a week.

In an open letter, which has been circulated in the media, the Bulgarian Association of Cinemas is protesting against the decision.