site.btaSixth Edition of Sofia DocuMental Festival to Take Place September 25 – October 5 in Sofia

The sixth edition of the Sofia DocuMental International Documentary Film Festival, dedicated to human rights, will take place from September 25 to October 5, 2025, under the motto “Natural Intelligence Strikes Back,” the organizers said. The event will feature nearly 30 Bulgarian premieres, including titles that have received some of the world’s most prestigious international awards.

“Sofia DocuMental remains committed to the belief that documentary cinema is a way to play fair in a world where the rules often change without warning. It is a tool for resistance – but also for connection, understanding, and moving forward,” the organizers said.

According to the festival director, Martichka Bozhilova, this year’s selection confronts the fragility of democracy with clarity and courage, gives voice to women who transcend traditional roles, and follows personal revolutions that arise from the most unexpected circumstances.

The festival’s visual campaign draws inspiration from analog games like bingo, memory, puzzles, and crosswords. A series of icons reference core themes of the festival, including personal and social identity, freedom of expression, the impact of emerging technologies, and the fragile bond between humanity and nature.

“The visual identity evokes a sense of play – one that invites decoding, sparks curiosity, and encourages reflection—in line with the festival’s motto,” the organizers said.

The festival screenings and events will take place across multiple venues in Sofia, including: the Largo public space, Cinema House, Odeon Cinema, Czech Cultural Centre, Goethe-Institut, French Institute, Polish Institute, the Central Market Hall stage, DOM Club, as well as online.