As CEETV reported earlier this week, the international co-production market Sofia Meetings has officially started its 22nd edition in the Bulgarian capital. The industry event, part of Sofia Film Fest, is traditionally organized with the support of the National Film Center and this year welcomes over 250 professionals from the international film industry.

Bulgaria as a Destination for International Co-Productions is the title of a special panel today, March 21, where the new platform filmcenter.bg will be introduced. Developed by FilmmakerIQ for the National Film Center, the platform aims to connect international filmmakers with local industry professionals by providing a centralized hub for locations, crews, production companies, institutions, and actors.

State support for international co-productions for which foreign co-producer’s funding is available, is granted after a competition announced by the Bulgarian National Film Center.

The following types of films are supported: a feature of animated film lasting more than 70 minutes; a documentary film lasting more than 60 minutes; a short film lasting less than 40 minutes; feature series lasting from 6 to 14 episodes, each lasting more than 40 minutes of pure program time; documentary series lasting from 6 to 14 episodes with duration of each episode over 40 minutes of pure program time; and animated series with a total duration of not less than 24 minutes.

Bulgaria currently offers a 25% cash rebate to attract international film and television productions.

This year’s program focuses on several panels dedicated to co-production in the region. Industry professionals and representatives of funding institutions from the Balkans, including Mr. Petar Todorov, Director of the National Film Center, will take part in the discussions. Producers and film executives from Montenegro, Kosovo, Romania, North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey will discuss the role of co-productions in the region. Other panels include Co-Producing with Poland, Co-Producing with the UK and Co-Producing with Germany.

The full Sofia Meetings program can be found at sofiameetings.sff.bg and on the event’s social media channels.