site.btaFilm Festival in Varna Opens with 70 Animated Films from Over 20 Countries

The 21st World Festival of Animated Film (WFAF) began at the Festival and Congress Centre in Varna on Wednesday, launching a six-day event with more than 70 films from over 20 countries.

Festival director Anri Kulev said that the event exists with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Varna Municipality, the National Film Centre (NFC), New Bulgarian University (NBU), and many other organizations and institutions, making it a State festival.

“Animation demands attention. Let yourself be guided by the films and follow the creators, don’t hurry through it, look and feel this great art,” Kulev said.

The members of this year’s international jury were introduced on stage: Veronica Solomon of Romania, Wilson Antonio Lazaretti of Brazil, Andrea Martignoni of Italy, and Stefan Voyvodov of Bulgaria. The final jury member, Paul Driessen from the Netherlands, is expected to join his colleagues on Thursday.

This edition of the Varna animation festival features five competition sections as well as six masterclasses and lectures.

Due to a technical sound issue during the opening, the screening of the first short film competition programme did not take place. Organisers said it will be shown on Thursday.