Mario Krastev

Tsar Boris is acclaimed as a saviour by the people of Russia. But, as his troubled reign unfolds, he is consumed by guilt over the means by which he attained the highest power. What legacy will he leave to his frightened children and people? Conceived to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the magnificent St Alexander Nevsky Memorial Cathedral at the heart of the city in 2014, Sofia National Opera performed in the open air at the entrance to the building. The production also commemorated the 100th anniversary of Boris Christoff and 85th of Nicolai Ghiaurov, the two great Bulgarian basses who were the outstanding exponents of the title role during the second half of the 20th century. Today’s Bulgarian artists combined forces to present this spectacular and unique tribute.

In the heart of Rome’s Monti district, artist Fabrizio di Nardo transforms his gallery into a sanctuary of light, where every canvas is a portal to the eternal. “The Journey” is an intimate portrait of an artist who sees beyond the confines of time, space, and matter — and invites us to follow. Between playful humor and profound reflection, Fabrizio leads us through his world, where art is not decoration but revelation, not possession but pilgrimage. Shot within the timeless streets of Monti, this documentary captures the soul of a creator whose work reminds us that beauty is not bound by walls, but is a journey we all share.

In Rome, Giulia spends her days gazing through the tiny kitchen window, watching the world outside, each glimpse stirring hope, envy, longing, and despair. As her quiet obsession deepens into a breaking point, she finally realizes that the future she has been desperately searching for beyond the glass may have been closer to her all along—waiting just inside the frame.

In Rome, Giulia spends her days gazing through the tiny kitchen window, watching the world outside, each glimpse stirring hope, envy, longing, and despair. As her quiet obsession deepens into a breaking point, she finally realizes that the future she has been desperately searching for beyond the glass may have been closer to her all along—waiting just inside the frame.

Jonah, a grieving saxophonist, is haunted by loss, unable to play the music that once gave him life. As he struggles to move on, Lydia—an obsessive woman from his past—pulls him into her world, claiming to understand his pain. But when her love turns possessive and tragedy strikes again, Jonah is left utterly alone. Seeking solace in faith, he rediscovers his music, transforming his grief into a final, wordless prayer.

Jonah, a grieving saxophonist, is haunted by loss, unable to play the music that once gave him life. As he struggles to move on, Lydia—an obsessive woman from his past—pulls him into her world, claiming to understand his pain. But when her love turns possessive and tragedy strikes again, Jonah is left utterly alone. Seeking solace in faith, he rediscovers his music, transforming his grief into a final, wordless prayer.

"Why Me?" is a short documentary film that boldly recounts the extraordinary story of Robert Diamubeni, the sole survivor of flight 9T-TCG in 1990 from Kinshasa to Gbadolite. After coming face-to-face with death, Robert confronts a critical question: “Why me?”. His inspiring journey from despair to becoming a dedicated Christian pastor is a powerful testimony of faith, purpose, and resilience in the face of tragedy.

"Why Me?" is a short documentary film that boldly recounts the extraordinary story of Robert Diamubeni, the sole survivor of flight 9T-TCG in 1990 from Kinshasa to Gbadolite. After coming face-to-face with death, Robert confronts a critical question: “Why me?”. His inspiring journey from despair to becoming a dedicated Christian pastor is a powerful testimony of faith, purpose, and resilience in the face of tragedy.

White eggs, wrapped in red thread, are appearing everywhere. On the streets, at press conferences, in fountains, galleries, and restaurants. Nobody knows what they mean, yet everyone is certain they mean something. Elo, a Uruguayan journalist, films one and posts it. What follows is a perfect, self-sustaining machine: media amplifies fear, fear demands more media, and somewhere in the noise, a man jumps off a building. The yolk is on Elo. The eggs... remain eggs. 'Sure As Eggs is Eggs' is a satire about mass hysteria, fake news, and the terrifying ease with which nothing becomes everything.

White eggs, wrapped in red thread, are appearing everywhere. On the streets, at press conferences, in fountains, galleries, and restaurants. Nobody knows what they mean, yet everyone is certain they mean something. Elo, a Uruguayan journalist, films one and posts it. What follows is a perfect, self-sustaining machine: media amplifies fear, fear demands more media, and somewhere in the noise, a man jumps off a building. The yolk is on Elo. The eggs... remain eggs. 'Sure As Eggs is Eggs' is a satire about mass hysteria, fake news, and the terrifying ease with which nothing becomes everything.

On a quiet city rooftop, two young lovers share books, jokes, and silence. The boy, Pile, reads a dog-eared secondhand book filled with other people’s thoughts; Eva reads a pristine one that feels strangely unfinished. Beneath the warmth and humor, something fragile presses to the surface. Weeks later, Pile returns to the rooftop alone, holding her book, searching for her between the lines. He finds a single word circled on the page.

On a quiet city rooftop, two young lovers share books, jokes, and silence. The boy, Pile, reads a dog-eared secondhand book filled with other people’s thoughts; Eva reads a pristine one that feels strangely unfinished. Beneath the warmth and humor, something fragile presses to the surface. Weeks later, Pile returns to the rooftop alone, holding her book, searching for her between the lines. He finds a single word circled on the page.

In the heart of Bulgaria lies Kran, a village where time seems to hold its breath. 'Where Time Stands Still' is a love letter to this magical place, told through the eyes of a pure-hearted woman who came for her honeymoon and never left. Under skies where the stars fall within reach, amidst mountains that cradle the Valley of the Thracian Kings, life unfolds at a rhythm lost to the modern city. Here, mornings begin with a chorus of birds and roosters, days stretch in harmony with neighbors, and faiths intertwine in shared celebrations. Children grow free beneath the Balkan peaks, learning life from nature rather than screens. A portrait of peace, belonging, and timeless beauty, this documentary captures a world where every moment feels eternal, and where love — for place, for people, for life itself — becomes a destiny.