Early Bird 2026 Is Calling for Entries
Submissions for the 22nd edition of Early Bird International Strudent Film Festival are open until September 10, 2026.
News
Six Student Film Projects Receive Support from AFB in 2026
Among the selected projects are fiction, documentary, and animated films that tell personal stories and explore themes such as belonging, freedom of spirit, human connections, and social justice.
AFB Opens the 2026 Student Film Project Funding Competition
The American Foundation for Bulgaria announces the opening of the 20th edition of the Student Film Project Funding Competition — an initiative that has supported young filmmakers in Bulgaria for more than two decades.
Two AFB scholarship recipients take the stage tonight with Vratsa Symphony
Two young musicians, scholarship recipients of the American Foundation for Bulgaria, will be among the soloists in tonight’s concert “Laureates, Opus 4,” held within the XL International Youth Music Forum at Vratsa Symphony.
National Drawing Competition 2026 Exhibition Continues
The exhibition presenting the award-winning works from the National Drawing Competition 2026 continues at the National School of Fine Arts “Ilia Petrov” in Sofia.
AFB Scholar Nicole Samareva Receives Another Prestigious Award
The talented harpist Nicole Samareva was honored with the “Young Musician of the Year” award for 2025 in the 35th edition of the national “Musician of the Year” poll organized by Bulgarian National Radio.
The Recipients of the Prof. Pavlina Dokovska Scholarship Have Been Announced
The Prof. Pavlina Dokovska Scholarship, established to support young Bulgarian instrumentalists in their participation in competitions, festivals, masterclasses, and artistic projects, is awarded this year to three young talents.
AFB Named “Donor of the Year” by the National Library
In February, American Foundation for Bulgaria was awarded the “Donor of the Year” prize, organized by the National Library “St. Cyril and Methodius”. The Foundation received recognition for its long-standing donations in support of the library’s activities.
Open Call for the “Pavlina Dokovska” Scholarship for Young Instrumentalists
The America for Bulgaria Foundation is offering the “Pavlina Dokovska” Scholarship to support young Bulgarian instrumentalists in competitions, festivals, masterclasses, and artistic projects. The scholarship is USD 5,000. Applications are open until February 15, 2026.
The 21st edition of Early Bird International Student Film Festival honored young talents from Bulgaria and around the world
The festival showcased a selection of films from 30 countries and provided young filmmakers from around the world the opportunity to meet in person, exchange experiences, and build professional connections. The Grand Award was given to Houdini by Mariusz Rusinski from Poland, and the winner also received an original sculpture created by students from the National Academy of Arts.
AFB is accepting applications for Olympic Scholarships for the 2025/2026
The American Foundation for Bulgaria awards annual scholarships to all Bulgarian students who have won medals at International and Balkan Olympiads. The deadline for submitting documents is October 31, 2025.
AFB announces a scholarship competition for the 2025/2026 school year
If you are a student with outstanding achievements in the natural sciences, humanities, or the arts, you can apply for a scholarship from the American Foundation for Bulgaria for the 2025/2026 school year. The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2025.
Finalists in the 19th Student Film Project Funding Competition
For another consecutive year, the American Foundation for Bulgaria is supporting the next generation of filmmakers by funding the production of five student short films.
Emerging Romanian Filmmakers at The Palace Balchik
Special screenings of contemporary Romanian cinema from the “Early Bird” selection, taking place from June 16 to June 18, 2025, at The Palace Balchik.
The New Session for Student Film Funding 2025 Is Now Open
The American Foundation for Bulgaria announces the launch of the 19th edition of its Student Film Project Funding Competition.