Four decades of love for the magic of the seventh art, full theaters, and shared emotions – this autumn "Kinomania" celebrates its 40th edition!

Traditionally, in the second half of November, the festival presents not only the best foreign titles but also the latest Bulgarian productions. 

This year, the program highlights the new tragicomedy by one of the most successful and award-winning duos in our contemporary cinema – Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov, directors of "Lesson," "Glory," and the winner of the "Crystal Globe" in Karlovy Vary, "The Father" (2019). Their fifth feature film "Black Money for White Nights" will be presented at "Kinomania" on November 27 at Lumiere Cinema at 18:00.

The production had its world premiere in the main competition at the 60th edition of the film festival in Karlovy Vary, and international critics and press, including The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, described it as a bitterly funny and precise dissection of morality, corruption, and social issues in contemporary Bulgaria. 

"Black Money for White Nights" is on the shortlist for the 39th European Film Awards (EFA).

BLACK MONEY FOR WHITE NIGHTS
After years of saving from the small bribes they collect, sixty-year-olds Marina and her husband Gosha from Bulgaria are preparing for their dream trip to St. Petersburg for the White Nights. However, when Russia invades Ukraine and the travel agency disappears with all their savings, the couple's dream collapses along with their illusion of control over their moral principles and their relationship.

Bulgaria, Greece, 2026, 94 min.
Directors: Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov

Starring: Tanya Shahova, Ivan Savov, Margita Gosheva, Ivan Barnev, Sibila Petrova

TICKETS: On sale online at https://epaygo.bg/2642581959 and at the NDK box office.

In our country, the film won the directing award at the "Golden Rose" 2026, and Tanya Shahova received the best actress award from the same competition. Ivan Savov was also recognized – for best actor, sharing the award with Galin Stoev (for the film "Nina Rosa"). 

Meanwhile – in September, in Xi'an (China), at the International Film Festival "Silk Road," Ivan Savov won the best actor award, and "Black Money for White Nights" won the best film award, standing out among 2130 titles from 139 countries. 

The "Kinomania" festival is organized by the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in partnership with the "I Have an Idea" foundation. The project is realized with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture, the National Film Center, and the Sofia Municipality. "Kinomania" is part of the Calendar of Cultural Events of Sofia Municipality for 2026.