The importance of points of view

IPFF JURY

IPFF - FESTIVAL 2023

EDITION 4

-

ABOUT THE THE FOURTH EDITION OF IPFF

29 intriguing portrait films in the Official Selection of the festival, 6 screenings and 5 accompanying events in 4 Bulgarian cities, 6 award-winning works, numerous captured moments, shared ideas, creative pursuits and the beginnings of warm friendships, overcoming geographical, national and metaphorical borders.

-

And beyond the numbers:

-

In 2023, under the slogan WATCHING UNTIL IN LOVE, the International Portrait Film Festival held its fourth edition. Slowly, patiently, contemplating, exploring - until they find what they are looking for or something else entirely, until the thoughts sink into the screen and the light inside the dark movie theatre overwhelms the senses - this is what we invited viewers and cinema lovers to experience collectively during the festival days.

-

-

-

-

The multi-layered feeling of watching until you fall in love was the promise that IPFF offered between November 9th and 19th, within its edition 4. Screenings and events were held in the cities of Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Varna, the Official Selection of 29 short portraits was presented - works from 17 countries were selected in the categories Film portrait, Collective portrait, Alternative portrait, Self-portrait, as well as a category with a focus on expressive language – screendance or dance film - Portrait in motion.

The creative biographies of each of the authors of the selected films are impressive. Established or young artists with unique voices, they blur the boundaries between themes, genres, forms and realize the concept of cinema as a synergistic art. Their projects are bold, imbued with important questions - both about the nature of the human being and the state of our human/natural world, with exclamation points and invitations to turn our attention to societal causes in need of action here and now.

The IPFF’s International Jury awarded films in the festival sections. For the most wonderful creation in each category (Film Portrait, Film Self-Portrait, Collective Portrait, Alternative Portrait, Portrait in Motion, Film-Dedication and the Grand Prize of the IPFF - MAYA Award), and the artists received a handmade wooden statuette thanks to imagination and the hands of Izabela Manolova.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

A special emphasis was placed on the 2023 Film-Dedication - Jina, directed by Emilia Pluskota, proving to us why we must keep saying "Woman, Life, Freedom", why violence in any form will eventually destroy us, why despite everything we, along with the main characters of the film, with the women of Iran and the world, can still continue to dream of a better future. An important and emotional collective portrait that opened the fourth edition of the festival.

Beyond the thematic blocks of short films, curated according to the context of the unique space housing each screening, IPFF has reaffirmed its ambition to be a platform for real interaction between audiences and artists. And in 2023, the festival offered collaborations through a series of accompanying events. Each film screening was followed by discussions devoted to the portrait and portraiture as phenomena, processes and studies of the human world. Intriguing workshops were offered to the audience by the members of the international festival jury Jack Catling, Matthew Luck Galpin, David Stearn and Ellénore Lemattre, intertwining the philosophy of portraiture with topics like the potential of the audio-visual environments within which we move, and the fundamental value systems of humans and societies.

-

-

-

-

-

-

At IPFF 4, festival goers had the opportunity to engage in the following events with different formats:

"Allowing for the Accidental” Workshop with Parlour Collective - members of the international jury of IPFF 2023 at Missia23 in Sofia

-

-

-

-

"The Living Model" Workshop for posing and drawing with Ellénore Lemattre - member of the international jury of IPFF 2023 at SOHO Sofia

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Lecture-discussion "The portrait of Hannibal Lecter through the incarnation of Anthony Hopkins" with Valerya Tsymbal + Presentation of the photo contest for a self-portrait at IPFF 2023 at SOHO Sofia

“The magic of the portrait” - a creative workshop for children with a focus on drawing a portrait and making a collage with Violeta Apostolova and Nusha Royanova in Varna

-

-

-

-

-

-

Quiz game “Portraits and provocations” at Hashtag Studio in Varna

-

-

-

-

-

-

The fourth edition of IPFF earned the attention of some of the best media platforms in Bulgaria focused on arts and culture, through which the ideas of the festival and the filmmakers reached their audiences. Many thanks to our loyal media partners Culture News (Kulturni novini), How2Plovdiv and Urban Mag.

We dream and work hard to develop and build the IPFF. We believe that in this way we will give more value and meaning to the people for whom portrait cinema and short forms bring a strong charge - creators, artists, viewers, researchers.

With these aspirations, within the next editions of the festival, we are launching new activities with which IPFF will become a live and active platform for ideas and experiences related to the portrait as a cinematic prism and a cultural phenomenon.

See more about our goals, provocations and interests in the NEW 2024/25 section of this website!

-

-

-

-

-

-

MORE INFORMATION HERE FACEBOOK

IPFF - FESTIVAL 2022

EDITION 3

-

ABOUT THE THIRD EDITION OF IPFF

37 exciting films in the Official Selection of the festival, 23 extra-special film treasures split into two online selections, 6 screenings and 8 accompanying events in 4 Bulgarian cities, online edition in an international virtual festival platform, 7 award-winning works, numerous shared moments, points of view, creative provocations and the beginning of a bunch of warm friendships!

-

And beyond the numbers:

-

In the year 2022, under the slogan Opening the Frame, the International Portrait Film Festival (IPFF) realized its third edition and once again invited viewers, creators and all those in love with cinema to rediscover the cinematic portrait and let it shake their imaginations.

IPFF continues to declare its unique philosophy and seek readings of it. What is a portrait in cinema and what does it offer us? What is its power, potential and uniqueness? Can it transform us? Why is it such a 'human' phenomenon and an act of courage?

We are happy and proud that, for the third time in a row, the concept of the festival and our mission have been recognized by filmmakers from five continents - artists with established names, directors at the beginning of their creative journey, independent collectives and organizations. And we are more than delighted that 37 diverse and nuanced film portraits were selected for the IPFF Official Selection.

As a continuing and growing tradition, we've also highlighted special film treasures that have earned a place in two separate online selections: For the peculiar-eyed Selection and Thrilling Impressions Selection.

The IPFF International Jury awarded films in each of the festival categories.

A special emphasis was placed on the 2022 Film-Dedication - Teacher of Patience, directed by Carmen Vincent and inviting us into the world of Emily Felter and her family. Emily lives with Down Syndrome, but also with her favorite songs, things to eat, places in town, loved ones, friends and cats. The mission and aspiration of Emily, her family and young director Carmen Vincent's film is to raise awareness about people with disabilities. An important and emotional collective portrait that opened the third edition of the festival.

Seven films were awarded for their unforgettable messages, impressive audio-visual language and sensual charge. For the most beautiful creation in each category (Film Portrait, Film Self-Portrait, Collective Portrait, Alternative Portrait, Portrait in Motion, Film-Dedication and the Grand Prize of the IPFF - the MAYA Award), the artists received a handmade plastic statuette of copper and marble. Thanks to the imagination and hands of Izabela Manolova and Martin Christoph.

The third edition of the festival was realized in its hybrid form. During live screenings, viewers in the Bulgarian cities of Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Varna encountered fascinating film portraits. And through the online platform Festhome TV, specializing in the digitization of film events, the short film selection of the IPFF was accessible to cinema fans and lovers in different parts of the world.

With each festival edition, the accompanying program becomes richer and more interesting and involves new audiences in the study of the portrait as a cultural phenomenon. In 2022, the festival’s fans had the opportunity to get involved in events with different formats:

"Portrait Pathways: Artincubator" - photography exhibition in Sofia and Varna;

Art history, the documentary and me" - lecture-discussion. Host: Anna Weltner - member of the international jury of IPFF 2022 (SOHO Sofia);

"In the eye of the camera" - lecture-discussion. Presenter: Irmena Chichikova - member of the international jury of IPFF 2022 (SOHO Sofia);

"The portrait in Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray"" – lecture. Author and lecturer: Prof. Dr. Liza Boeva – member of the international jury of IPFF 2022 (SOHO Sofia);

"When Flowers Are Not Silent" - screening of the documentary film from Belarus directed by Andrey Kutsila (Cinema House, Sofia);

"Following the portrait" - creative workshop for kids and students (ages 10-18) (SeArt Gallery, Varna);

"Films, Portraits, Film portraits" - quiz game (The Bookstore, Varna).

Once again an open virtual discussion panel with the participation of directors of the selected films gave the opportunity to present different points of view on the portrait film, the short film and the festival life of films.

The third edition of the IPFF earned the attention of some of the best cultural media and public platforms in Bulgaria, through which the ideas of the festival and the filmmakers reached their audiences. Many thanks to our loyal media partners Culture News (Kulturni novini), How2Plovdiv and Urban Mag.

-

And all the meetings, sharing and emotions in the movie theatres and spaces made us happy and eager for the coming fourth edition of IPFF in 2023!

We dream and work hard to develop and improve IPFF with each edition! We believe that in this way we will give more value and meaning to the people to whom short cinema brings a strong charge - creators, viewers, researchers.

With these aspirations, in the fourth edition of the festival, we are launching new activities with which IPFF will become a living and active platform for ideas and experiences related to the portrait as a cinematic prism and a cultural phenomenon.

See more about our searches, provocations and directions in 2023 in the website section NEW IN 2023!

-

-

MORE INFORMATION HERE FACEBOOK

IPFF - FESTIVAL 2021

EDITION 2

-

ABOUT THE SECOND EDITION OF IPFF

55 fantastic films in our Official Selection, 26 extra-special film treasures part of our online selections, 7 screenings in 2 unique cinemas and 3 welcoming venues in 4 Bulgarian cities, an online edition, 7 award-winning works, numerous shared ideas, emotions and new friendships.

-

And beyond the numbers:

-

In 2021, under the slogan Let’s feel unusual, the International Portrait Film Festival (IPFF) had its second edition, inviting viewers, filmmakers and film lovers to rediscover the cinematic portrait and let it shake their imaginations.

Although our times are still unpredictable and challenging, the IPFF continues to declare its unique philosophy and look for further exciting interpretations of it: the portrait as a prism through which we can watch films, perceive their messages, explore their human or non-human core; the portrait as a question encouraging us to look into the visible, go beyond and reveal its potential to affect and transform.

-

We are proud that the concept of the festival was recognised by filmmakers from five continents, as well as by the fact that in the Official Selection of IPFF, within a substantial competition, 55 intriguing film portraits were chosen - works about inspiring personalities, fictional narrative films telling touching stories, films of social significance, animated, comedic, highly experimental, surreal creations.

We also highlighted films that deserved their own place in separate online selections, named For the peculiar-eyed and Thrilling Impressions.

-

The international jury of IPFF awarded films in each of the festival categories.

-

Special emphasis was placed on the 2021 Film Dedication – My Stellar Tale, a film by Bulgarian filmmaker Andrey Hristozov dedicated to the Smolyan Planetarium and the people working there, their mission and love for the sky and the stars.

In the second edition of IPFF, seven films were awarded as unforgettable film portraits. For the most wonderful creation in each category (Film Portrait, Film Self-portrait, Collective Portrait, Alternative Portrait, Portrait in Motion, Film Dedication and the Grand Prize MAYA Award), the artists received a handmade statuette of copper and marble. Courtesy of Izabela Manolova’s imagination.

-

The second edition of the festival was realized in a hybrid form. During the live screenings, spectators in the Bulgarian cities of Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Varna met the captivating film portraits. And through the Cinenso online platform, which specializes in digital film events, IPFF's short film selection was made available to cinema lovers around the world.

The accompanying program of the festival included three events in various formats: “Portrait Pathways” - a photography exhibition; “The Videoessay: Informally on the Format” - open discussion; and “Films, Portraits and Film Portraits” - a quiz game.

An open virtual Zoom discussion with the participation of directors of the selected films provided a chance to present different perspectives on the portrait film, short cinema and the festival life of cinematographic works.

The second edition of IPFF earned the attention of some of the best culture-focused media and public platforms in Bulgaria, through which the ideas of the festival and the filmmakers reached their audiences (including the Bulgarian National Radio and the Bulgarian National Television).

All the meetings and shared emotions in the cinema rooms and venues made us happy and eager for the upcoming edition of the IPFF in 2022!

We keep dreaming and working hard to develop and upgrade IPFF with each new edition! We believe that this way we will give more value and meaning to people to whom the short film offers a strong charge - creators, viewers, researchers.

With these aspirations, in the third edition of the festival, we launch new activities to turn IPFF into a living and active platform for ideas and experiences related to portraiture as a cinematic prism and a cultural phenomenon.

Find out more about our searches, provocations and directions in 2022 in the website fragment NEW IN 2022!

-

-

-

MORE INFORMATION HERE FACEBOOK

IPFF - FESTIVAL 2020

EDITION 1

-

ABOUT THE FIRST EDITION OF IPFF

44 wonderful films in our Official Selection, 22 extra-special film treasures part of our online selections, screenings in 4 unique cinemas in 3 Bulgarian cities and at 1 international virtual festival platform, 7 award-winning works, numerous shared ideas, emotions and new friendships!

-

And beyond the numbers!

In 2020, under the slogan Into the depths of the contour lines, the International Portrait Film Festival (IPFF) had its premiere in the world of film festivals.

-

Although it appeared at a challenging time, IPFF stated its unique philosophy: the portrait as a prism through which we can watch films, perceive their messages, explore their core; to look into the visible, but to go beyond, revealing the potential of the film portrait to affect and transform.

We are proud that the concept of the festival was recognised by filmmakers from all continents, as well as by the fact that in the Official Selection of IPFF, within a substantial competition, 44 intriguing film portraits were chosen - works about inspiring personalities, fictional narrative films telling exciting stories, films of social significance, animated, comedic, highly experimental, surreal creations.

-

We also highlighted films that deserved a place in separate online selections, which we named For the peculiar-eyed and Thrilling Impressions.

The international jury of IPFF awarded films in each of the festival categories.

-

Special emphasis was placed on the 2020 Film Dedication - Feeling Through, which will continue its encounters with Bulgarian audiences in 2021!

The first edition of the festival was realised in a hybrid form. During the live screenings, spectators in the Bulgarian cities of Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna met the captivating film portraits. And through the Cinenso online platform, which specialises in digital film events, IPFF's short film selection was made available to cinema lovers around the world.

In the accompanying program of the festival, those tempted by the evolving audiovisual culture had the opportunity to participate in the masterclass "Bridging the Gap: The Audiovisual Essay in the Contemporary Media Sphere", led by Shant Bayramian.

An open virtual Zoom discussion panel with the participation of directors of the selected films provided a chance to present different perspectives on the portrait film, short cinema and the festival life of cinematographic works.

The first edition of IPFF earned the attention of some of the best culture-focused media and public platforms in Bulgaria, through which the ideas of the festival and the filmmakers reached their audiences (including the Bulgarian National Radio and the Bulgarian National Television).

-

All the meetings, emotions and sharing in the cinema rooms and venues made us happy and eager for the upcoming second edition of IPFF in 2021!

-

-

-

We keep dreaming and working hard to develop and upgrade IPFF with each new edition! We believe that this way we will give more value and meaning to people to whom the short film offers a strong charge - creators, viewers, researchers.

-

With these aspirations, in the second edition of the festival, we launch new activities to turn IPFF into a living and active platform for ideas and experiences related to portraiture as a cinematic prism and a cultural phenomenon.

-

Find out more about our searches, provocations and directions in 2021 in the website fragment NEW IN 2021!

MORE INFORMATION HERE FACEBOOK