This was the 21st edition of the festival, which concluded on 5th, November. Early Bird ISFF was founded by the American Foundation for Bulgaria in 2005 and today is a renowned festival dedicated to student films.

Main prizes won by our students in Bulgaria:

* The Festival Grand Prix was won by our directing student Mariusz Rusiński for the film HOUDINI.

Film synopsis: Robert, a security guard at a corporate firm, has always had a crush on his work colleague, Marta. When he finally gets around to asking her out, she refuses. Robert, however, doesn't give up and on impulse after a struggle kidnaps her. Then, he has to get out of this situation and prove that he didn't mean any harm.
Credits:
screenplay and direction: Mariusz Rusiński
cinematography: Mateusz Hernik
editing: Wiktoria Szczepanek
production management: Gabriela Rybołowicz
artistic supervision: Leszek Dawid, Jakub Piątek, Jarosław Kamiński, Marek Król, Radosław Ładczuk
cast: Sebastian Stankiewicz, Małgorzata Gorol, Ewa Kolasińska, Łukasz Grzegorzek

Jury motivation: "A Precise Example of Filmmaking Within Spatial Limits"
complete text available at: earlybirdfest.org/early-bird-2025-grand-award

* Best Directing Award went to Platon Ogarev (cinematography) and Marcjanna Lelek (directing) for the film BROKEN MAGIC (cinematography student’s diploma film).

Film synopsis: Magda and Szczepan are going through a difficult phase in their relationship. When Magda says that their relationship lacks magic, Szczepan decides to surprise her by hiring a magician for their anniversary dinner. However, this joke doesn’t go as planned. Credits:
screenplay and direction: Platon Ogarev, Marcjanna Lelek cinematography: Platon Ogarev
editing: Michał Niedzielski
production management: Olivia Gdynia
artistic supervision: Radosław Ładczuk, Jakub Kijowski cast: Piotr Nerlewski, Barbara Liberek, Wojciech Rotowski

List of winners: earlybirdfest.org/awarded-2025

Congratulations for our students!

2 – still from the film HOUDINI
3 – still from the film BROKEN MAGIC