MEDIA PLAY

MEDIA PLAY MEDIA PLAY is the stepping stone to the International Film and TV industry for the CEE region

One of the highlights of Media Play Festival 2026 was undoubtedly the international pitching competition for TV series a...
25/06/2026

One of the highlights of Media Play Festival 2026 was undoubtedly the international pitching competition for TV series and documentary projects.

The quality of the submissions, the strength of the storytelling, and the diversity of creative voices on display made both pitching sessions a true highlight of the festival. Faced with an exceptionally competitive selection, the international juries ultimately decided to recognize multiple outstanding projects.

🏆 Fiction TV Series
• "Operation Budapest" by Péter Deak, Simona Nobile and Tibor Forizs (Sysplex Ltd., Hungary)
• "In Nomine Patris" by Anastasia Pashkevich (France)

🏆 "Documentary Projects"
• "Zoja’s Law" by Nenad Mikalački (Druid Film, Serbia)
• "Sold Souls; Algorithm of Crime" by Žana Kovačević (Proudcloud Productions, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The winning projects will receive free accreditation to MIPCOM Cannes and the opportunity to be presented on stage at the Heart of Europe TV Forum, providing valuable international exposure and access to key industry decision-makers.

In addition, the winning TV series project will receive an industry accreditation for the Serial Killer TV Festival in Czech Republic, while the winning documentary project will be invited to participate in the Pitching Forum of the Balkan Documentary Market.

A special distinction was also awarded to Vlach Requiem by Maria Makedonska and Nicola Zambelli (ProudCloud Production/SMK Factory), which was likewise selected to participate in the Balkan Documentary Market.

Congratulations to all winners and participants who shared their stories, ideas, and creative vision with us.

The future of storytelling in our region looks brighter than ever.

Some partnerships deserve special recognition.Thank you, Hicran Lefort, for being an essential part of MEDIA PLAY 2026.Y...
04/06/2026

Some partnerships deserve special recognition.
Thank you, Hicran Lefort, for being an essential part of MEDIA PLAY 2026.
Your contribution as a jury member in both pitching categories, your support of our creators, and your willingness to share your knowledge with the Media Play community made a real difference.
We are also grateful to MIPCOM for its trust, partnership, and commitment to discovering and supporting new voices.
Thank you for helping us create opportunities that extend far beyond the festival itself.

03/06/2026

Media Play Festival 2026 may be over, but the energy remains.
Three days. Dozens of speakers. Hundreds of conversations. Countless ideas for the future.
Thank you to every speaker, partner, participant, and friend who helped make Media Play Festival 2026 an unforgettable experience. Together, we created something truly special.
The conversations started here won't end here. The best is yet to come.
See you next year.
bg bg














Today is the day.Media Play Festival officially begins — and we are excited to announce that Pavel Vladimirov will be th...
27/05/2026

Today is the day.

Media Play Festival officially begins — and we are excited to announce that Pavel Vladimirov will be the host guiding us through all three days of the festival.

Actor, presenter, producer, and accomplished voice artist, Pavel is one of the most recognizable and versatile media personalities in Bulgaria today — known for his charisma, sharp wit, and dynamic presence across television, film, live events, and audio storytelling.

From beloved Bulgarian series such as "Stolen Life", "Etazhna Sobstvenost", "All Inclusive", "Brothers", and "Angels", to international productions including "Code: 211" alongside Nicolas Cage, Pavel continues to build an impressive screen career across multiple formats and audiences.

For many viewers, he is also the familiar face of "Hello Bulgaria" on Nova Broadcasting Group, where his humour, spontaneity, and authentic style made him one of the freshest television hosts in the country.

His work also includes "Kato dve kapki voda", "Otblizo with Mira", and "100% Awake" on Bulgarian National Television, where he contributes both as host and screenwriter.

We couldn’t imagine a better person to lead this year’s Media Play experience.

See you in few hours.

🔗 Check the program — link in the first comment below.

Meet Gospodin Yovchev — senior media and regulatory expert with extensive executive experience across the media, telecom...
26/05/2026

Meet Gospodin Yovchev — senior media and regulatory expert with extensive executive experience across the media, telecommunications, and digital sectors in Central and Eastern Europe.

Specializing in EU policy, regulatory affairs, compliance, and corporate governance, he has spent years working at the intersection of media transformation, legislation, and strategic business development.

For more than a decade, Gospodin was part of the executive leadership team of bTV Media Group, one of the largest media groups in Bulgaria, contributing to the company’s corporate, legal, and regulatory strategy during a period of major industry change.

Prior to his work in the media sector, he led the Regulatory Department at Mobiltel, where he focused on telecommunications policy, EU law alignment, and regulatory compliance.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Law from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and an MBA from the University of National and World Economy.

At this year’s Media Play Festival, Gospodin Yovchev will moderate the panel:
🎙️ *AI, Rights & Creativity: A New Battleground*

A timely discussion exploring the growing tensions and opportunities around artificial intelligence, copyright, regulation, creativity, and the future of content creation.

Join us in Sofia for this year’s edition.

đź”— Ticket link in the first comment below.

We are thrilled to announce that the iconic journalist and media commentator Kristina Patrashkova will be joining the pa...
25/05/2026

We are thrilled to announce that the iconic journalist and media commentator Kristina Patrashkova will be joining the panel "The Podcast Power Shift" at the Mediaplay Festival!
Kristina is a cornerstone of Bulgarian journalism, with a career that has spanned the most influential newspapers and television programs in the country’s history. As a master of the "long-form" interview and a sharp observer of cultural shifts, she brings a unique perspective on how digital platforms are disrupting traditional media hierarchies. She is a Titan of Bulgarian Media!
Kristina’s career is defined by her fearlessness and her ability to stay at the center of the cultural conversation:
- The Print Legend: A powerhouse editor and journalist with key roles at 24 Chasa, Sega, and Monitor, and the founder/editor-in-chief of influential publications like Galeriya and currently Filter (Филтър).
- The Voice of Television: A familiar face to millions as a long-standing commentator on "Na Kafe" (Nova TV), where her sharp analysis and cultural critiques have made her a household name.
- Author & Cultural Critic: The writer behind several books, known for digging deeper into the lives of public and historical figures than anyone else in the industry.
- Award-Winning Integrity: Recipient of the "Golden Pen" (Златно перо) for her contributions to Bulgarian culture and journalism.

In an era where podcasts are becoming the new "prime time," Kristina will share her insights on whether traditional journalism can survive the shift, how "celebrity" is being redefined in the digital age, and why the deep-dive nature of podcasts is something print journalism has been doing all along.

Don't miss this clash of old-school rigor and new-media power!
Join us in Sofia for this year’s edition.

đź”— Ticket link in the first comment below.

Meet Alexander Bratimirov — Creative Director and Partner at HUMAN, one of the most awarded creative agencies in Bulgari...
25/05/2026

Meet Alexander Bratimirov — Creative Director and Partner at HUMAN, one of the most awarded creative agencies in Bulgaria.
With more than a decade of experience in advertising, he has worked across brand strategy, storytelling, content development, and integrated campaigns for both local and international brands.

His work has been recognized at major regional and international festivals, including Cannes Lions, ADCE, and Effie Europe, reflecting a consistent focus on ideas that travel across platforms, cultures, and markets.
Coming from the intersection of creativity, production, and communication, Alexander focuses on how strong ideas are shaped, scaled, and made relevant across different media environments.

At this year’s Media Play Festival, he joins the panel:
🎙️ CEE Production Power: Studios, Cooperation & Cross-Border Growth

A discussion exploring how Central and Eastern Europe is becoming a key production hub, and how studios, agencies, and creators are building stronger cross-border collaboration and sustainable industry growth.

Join us in Sofia for this year’s edition.
đź”— Ticket link in the first comment below.

Meet Strahil Jordanov — Creative Director, immersive experience designer, and one of the leading voices in projection ma...
25/05/2026

Meet Strahil Jordanov — Creative Director, immersive experience designer, and one of the leading voices in projection mapping and large-scale digital storytelling.

He is a partner at MP-STUDIO, co-founder of LUNAR Festival of Lights, founder of SPACE DIVE PRODUCTIONS, and Creative Director of the Bulgarian Pavilion at EXPO Osaka 2025.

Strahil has created numerous immersive experiences and international light shows, including Vincent meets Rembrandt in Amsterdam, Kaleidoscope for EXPO 2020 Dubai, and The Wake-Up Experience at COP28 featuring Sadhguru.

His work has been recognized with international awards in projection mapping and short filmmaking, positioning him as a key figure in the field of experiential and immersive media.
Before focusing on immersive storytelling, he worked as a screenwriter, story editor, and director on major Bulgarian television productions. He has trained in film writing and directing at UCLA, the Sundance Institute, and under Robert McKee.

A creative bridging film, technology, and large-scale experiential design, Strahil brings a powerful perspective to the future of storytelling.

A visionary voice joining this year’s Media Play programme, exploring the intersection of narrative, space, and technology.

Join us in Sofia for this year’s edition.
đź”— Ticket link in the first comment below.

Meet Marin Petkov — one of the pioneers of projection mapping in Europe, founder of MP-STUDIO, and a leading creative fo...
25/05/2026

Meet Marin Petkov — one of the pioneers of projection mapping in Europe, founder of MP-STUDIO, and a leading creative force in large-scale immersive visual experiences.

He is the Art Director of Festival of Lights International and the founder of LUNAR Festival of Lights — the largest cultural event in Bulgaria, attracting more than 600,000 visitors.

In 2008, Marin founded MP-STUDIO, a creative company specializing in immersive experiences, projection mapping, interactive visual solutions, and public art installations.

Over the years, his work has transformed iconic landmarks in more than 28 countries across Europe and Asia, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Bolshoi Theatre, Berlin TV Tower, the Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria, the Senatorial Palace in Rome, the Brussels Stock Exchange, Noorderkerk Church in Amsterdam, Mimara Museum in Zagreb, Votivkirche in Vienna, and Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in Tokyo.

Through his work, Marin bridges technology, architecture, and storytelling at a monumental scale, redefining how audiences experience public space and cultural heritage.

A visionary voice joining this year’s Media Play programme, bringing a perspective on immersive media, digital art, and the future of experiential storytelling.

Join us in Sofia for this year’s edition.
đź”— Ticket link in the first comment below.

Address

Sofia
1000

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MEDIA PLAY posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category