site.btaTwo Feature Films with Bulgarian Participation, One of Them for Kids, Set to World Premiere at Berlin Festival

Two feature films with Bulgarian participation, one of them for children, will have their world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February, the National Film Centre in Sofia reported on Friday.

Lust, directed by Ralitza Petrova, is a co-production between Bulgaria, Denmark, and Sweden. The mystery drama tells the story of Lilian, a prison psychologist whose life is governed by strict control. After the death of her unknown father, she returns to her hometown.

Petrova’s debut feature, Godless, premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2016, winning the Golden Leopard for best film, followed by 27 further awards, and a nomination for the European Discovery Award from the European Film Academy.

The other Bulgarian contribution to Berlin 2026 is The Atlas of the Universe, a co-production with Romania. It is the first feature-length film for children directed by Paul Negoescu. The screenplay was written by Negoescu and Mihai Mincan. The Atlas of the Universe follows the story of ten-year-old Philip, who accidentally buys two right shoes and must embark on a journey to find the missing left one. This leads him to a world on the border between reality and fantasy, where he discovers unexpected lessons about himself and the world around him.

The Berlin International Film Festival, also known as Berlinale, will take place from February 12 to 22.