Bulgaria Chooses Cannes Prize Winner for Oscars Contention

Bulgaria has officially chosen Valeska Grisebach's gripping film, The Dreamed Adventure, as its contender for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards.

This slow-paced thriller centers around the reunion of two old friends in a crime-ridden Bulgarian border town, years after they parted ways. The story unfolds as archaeologist Veska, portrayed by Yana Radeva, attempts to assist her friend Said (Syuleyman Alilov Letifov) in retrieving his stolen vehicle. Her good intentions lead her into a perilous underground world filled with criminal activities and rival gang conflicts.

Grisebach, a German director, dedicated years to researching the film and opted to cast non-professional actors for the lead roles. Notably, she also took the time to learn Bulgarian to authentically portray the setting. This marks her second feature filmed in Bulgaria, following her previous work, Western, released in 2017.

Having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, The Dreamed Adventure received the Jury Prize, further solidifying its acclaim. The film's North American rights were acquired by Janus Films, while international sales are managed by The Match Factory. Despite Bulgaria's history of submitting films to the Oscars, none have achieved a nomination or win to date. The Academy will unveil the 15 films shortlisted for Best International Feature on December 15, 2023, with the final five nominees set to be revealed on January 21, 2024. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14, 2024.

Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com