IN THE PALACE is a renowned international festival dedicated to the promotion of short films, new media and digital arts under 27 minutes in length.
For more than 15 years, the main purpose of the Festival has been to present and promote the contemporary film art from Bulgaria, Europe, and the world.
In 2017 IN THE PALACE received an EFFE Festival Label from The European Festivals Association, and with the up-coming 15th edition, it will also hold the honor of being approved by the OSCAR® Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to choose a number of eligible films for their consideration in the categories of Best Animation, Best Fiction and Best National Film of the Academy Awards®.
The festival will take place during the last week of June, in the former residence of Queen Marie Alexandra Victoria, situated in the beautiful seaside town of Balchik. It will consist of several essential activities, such as:
- International and national competitive programmes, in 4 genres: fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental
- ON FOCUS programmes – a non-competitive screening programme targeting concrete themes
- Q & A sessions
- Filmer Forge educational programme for professionals
- Pitching Session for young and debuting filmmakers
- Film Industry Market
- Video-library
- USHI FILM FEST – parallel film festival for kids and teenagers
- MUSIC PALACE FEST – parallel musical programme, including live concerts, parties, jam sessions, etc.
IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival provides an exceptionally favorable platform for the expressions of both young directors and established professionals. Founded in 2003, the festival has grown from a competitive forum for student films into the largest and most prestigious short film festival in Bulgaria and the region.
IN THE PALACE is organized by Format SFF Foundation, Veshtina Municipal Centre and National Institute for Culture Research and Policies, in partnership and with the support of National Cultural Institute – Cultural Center “The Palace” – Balchik, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgarian National Film Center and the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.
IN THE PALACE 