Bulgaria: Reframing Contemporary Arthouse and Mainstream Cinema

Abstract

The chapter on Bulgaria explores how the country’s EU membership impacted on national cinema legislation, leading to a progressive change in production models and a steady increase in co-production activities. The chapter discusses the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers with new artistic styles, the evident tension between arthouse and mainstream films and the reception of national cinema by local audiences. It also examines the increased visibility of Bulgarian cinema at international film festivals and its critical acclaim.