BAFTA Chair Sara Putt has been announced as a member of the prestigious international jury for the FFC Bulgaria €50,000 prize. This significant award, a collaborative effort between the International Film Festival Glasgow, First Draft, and the Female Film Club, aims to bolster emerging talent in the filmmaking industry. The jury, composed of accomplished professionals, is set to evaluate projects that promise to leverage the state-of-the-art facilities at Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria. This initiative underscores a commitment to fostering diverse voices, particularly among women and non-binary creators, within the vibrant cinematic landscape of Eastern Europe.
BAFTA Chair Sara Putt Joins Elite International Jury for FFC Bulgaria's €50,000 Award
On Monday, February 16, 2026, at a special reception held at The Social Hub Berlin, in collaboration with Variety and the Female Film Club, the esteemed international jury for the FFC Bulgaria €50,000 prize was officially unveiled. This prize, launched during the inaugural FFC Bulgaria event in Sofia at the CineLibri International Film Festival, signifies a major step in supporting global filmmaking. The jury, featuring prominent figures such as BAFTA Chair Sara Putt, is tasked with the critical role of selecting a deserving recipient. They will deliberate from the competition's closing date on February 22 until early May, with the victor to be announced at a celebratory event on May 18 during the illustrious Cannes Film Festival.
Eligible projects for the award include both short and feature-length films of any genre. A key requirement is that these projects must have a Bulgarian co-producer and demonstrate an intention to utilize the studio space and equipment provided by Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia. Furthermore, all applicants are required to be active members of FFC Bulgaria. Martin I. Petrov, director and chair of the International Film Festival Glasgow, expressed profound enthusiasm for welcoming a diverse array of women and gender-expansive creators into the IFFG community through this partnership. He highlighted the flourishing film production scene in Eastern Europe and praised the substantial backing from Film Forge and Boyana for offering aspiring filmmakers the high level of professionalism and support necessary for their debut endeavors. FFC creators Liza Van Der Smissen and Nicole Lieberman conveyed their excitement about assembling a dynamic jury, each member bringing unique expertise to the filmmaking process and committed to showcasing the work of their members to industry leaders. Krassimira Belev, co-creator of FFC Bulgaria and producer at First Draft, emphasized that the initiative addresses a crucial barrier for many filmmakers, particularly women and non-binary creators operating outside major markets: access to professional resources. She articulated FFC Bulgaria's mission to support diverse storytellers and to make a career in the industry feel attainable rather than remote, extending gratitude to Film Forge for their partnership and investment in future generations of storytellers. The international jury includes: Sara Putt, Managing Director of Sara Putt Associates and Chair of BAFTA; Jacqueline Wagenstein, founder and director of Cinelibri International Film Festival; Vanessa Hanneman, founder of Henneman Agency; Nina Blagoeva from Alexandra Films; Morgan Cano Long, producer and founder of Spiral Shell; Lisa Cole, an Oscar-shortlisted writer/director; and Mariana Conde-Grant, a creative producer and director. Additionally, representatives from the organizing bodies—Krassimira Belev, Martin I. Petrov, Liza Van Der Smissen, Nicole Lieberman, and Jasmine Becker Williams—will also join the jury.
This initiative not only champions artistic excellence but also addresses systemic disparities within the film industry by providing tangible resources and mentorship to underrepresented groups. The collaborative spirit among the organizing bodies—International Film Festival Glasgow, First Draft, Female Film Club, and Film Forge—sets a powerful precedent for nurturing global talent and fostering a more inclusive cinematic future. The prize, by demanding local co-production and facility usage, also injects vital energy and opportunities into Bulgaria's burgeoning film sector.