site.btaThe Quarantine 2025: Screenings, Workshops and Global Voices in Varna

The 11th edition of The Quarantine Film Festival, an international platform for short films, is taking place in Varna from August 5 to 9, the Dedal promotion company said.

Outside the eponymous fishermen’s settlement in Varna's Asparuhovo district, audiences will be able to enjoy 34 short films from 19 countries. The festival’s team has curated a diverse selection of fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental works.

Many of the titles are Bulgarian premieres, and some have featured at renowned international festivals such as Venice, Berlinale, Toronto, Locarno, and Sundance. The selection includes productions from countries such as France, Italy, and Spain, as well as South Africa, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Portugal. Several Bulgarian films are also included in the programme.

Each night, before the film screenings, The Quarantine Festival also offers live music performances. This year’s acts include the quartet Jazzika, Uke Duo, Teddy Velvet Band, Funkaround, and the Jazzamuth Quintet.

The programme also includes side events. A screenwriting workshop led by Rene Karabash will be held from August 7 to 9. A meeting with visiting filmmakers will take place at Dedal School on August 9.

All screenings and other events are free to attend. Organizers will also provide free transport for audiences from the Archaeological Museum.

The Quarantine Film Festival serves as a platform for young authors, international cultural exchange, and socially engaged art. The aim is to promote Bulgarian and international short cinema, with a focus on ecology, human relationships, cultural heritage, and extreme life stories, the team notes.

This year’s edition is supported by Solvay Sodi, the Big Orange Foundation, Plasthim-T, Glob Stroy, Gaming Consulting, and ThreeStars, with co-funding from the Varna Municipality Culture Fund and in cooperation with the Asparuhovo mayor’s office.

The Quarantine holds the prestigious EFFE Label 2024–2025, a European quality mark awarded to festivals that contribute to the arts, community, and international cultural cooperation.