site.btaBulgarian-English Co-Production Devil’s Game Wins Best Cinematography Award at Chelsea Film Festival in New York

The Bulgarian-English co-production Devil’s Game won the award for Best Cinematography at the prestigious Chelsea Film Festival in New York, the Consulate General of Bulgaria in New York announced on its Facebook page.

The film was screened on Saturday, October 18, as part of the festival’s official selection. The screening was attended by producer Dessy Tenekedjieva and executive producer Gary Stretch, who also play leading roles in the film, as well as actor Iliyan Stamenkov.

During the post-screening discussion, Tenekedjieva and Stretch shared details about the film, joined by Bulgaria’s Consul General in New York, Angel Angelov, who congratulated the team on the film’s inclusion in the festival and praised its striking selection of Bulgarian scenes showcasing the country’s natural and architectural landmarks. The diplomat also highlighted the authentic and emotionally powerful Bulgarian folk songs featured in the film.

Participants in the discussion, including cinematographer and Bulgarian community representative Hristo Bakalov, expressed admiration for the visual work of cinematographer Denis Madden and for Dessy Tenekedjieva’s performance as a deaf character communicating through sign language. The audience also praised Gary Stretch’s performance; the former world boxing champion has previously modeled for designers such as Calvin Klein, Versace, and Hugo Boss, the Consulate noted.

Devil’s Game is both a fantasy thriller and a poignant coming-of-age drama infused with subtle British humor. Inspired by Mark Twain’s The Mysterious Stranger, it explores the duality of good and evil, examining how these concepts intertwine with human life and the fragile balance between them.

The film was shot across 37 locations in Bulgaria, as well as in Los Angeles and London. It is the first Bulgarian film to feature a Hollywood legend of Mickey Rourke’s caliber, according to the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in New York.

The cast also includes British actor Geoff Bell, Blue frontman Lee Ryan, and Australian actress Nicky Whelan. The film was directed by Ben Charles Edwards and stars Bulgarian actors Eleonora Ivanova and Dimitar Nikolov.

Devil’s Game continues its international festival journey, having already won 11 awards in various categories. Global distribution begins on December 19 through Buffalo 8, with pre-sales launching on Apple TV on December 5. The film will be available on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, and Verizon Fios/Vubiquity.