IN THE PALACE

About

IN THE PALACE is an international festival dedicated to short films, new media and digital arts under 27 minutes in length. The main purpose of the Festival is to present contemporary film art from Bulgaria, Europe and the whole world. IN THE PALACE provides an exceptionally favorable environment and platform of expression for both young film artists and established professionals in this artistic field. Established in 2003, the festival has grown from a competitive forum for student films into the largest and most prestigious short film festival in Bulgaria and the region.

Besides the international and national competitive programme that is open to both professionals and students and that includes 4 genres (fiction, documentary, animation, experimental), the festival consists of several other main components:

• ON FOCUS programme,
• Q&A sessions,
• Filmer Forge educational programme,
• Pitching session,
• Film industry market,
• Videolibrary,
• USHI FILM FEST - kids programme,
• MUSIC PALACE FEST - musical programme.

Awards

• The total award fund of the Festival amounts to 10 000 EUR payable in gold.

Rules

• Eligible films must be maximum 40 minutes in length and completed after 1 January 2023.
• The Festival accepts individual and institutional submission (i.e. production companies, distribution companies, film academies, national film centers, television networks, creative associations, etc.).
• MAIN COMPETITION PROGRAM. ONLY for films having their Bulgarian premiere at the Festival.
• STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAM. Eligible are only films that have been completed during the study years of their directors.
• NATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAM. Eligible are films produced in Bulgaria or co-productions with Bulgarian participation.
• English subtitles are mandatory for all the movies, also for the ones with English dialogues. The subtitles must be always burned in the movie.

Premiere Requirements

National premiere required.

Jury and Organizers

• Director — Tsanko Vasilev
• Festival Manager — Liliya Kucheva