Bulgaria selects ‘The Dreamed Adventure’ for Oscar race

Bulgaria has selected the film ‘The Dreamed Adventure’, directed by Valeska Grisebach, as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The film, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, is a gritty crime drama set in the Bulgarian border town of Svilengrad.

The story follows an archaeologist named Veska who becomes entangled in an underground world of organized crime after attempting to help an old acquaintance recover a stolen car. To prepare for the production, Grisebach spent five years researching the region and learned Bulgarian. The film features a cast of non-professional actors and was shot entirely in Bulgaria.

‘The Dreamed Adventure’ is a co-production involving Germany, France, Bulgaria, and Austria. While Bulgaria has submitted films to the Oscars previously, it has not yet received a nomination or win in this category. The Academy is expected to announce the shortlist on December 15, with nominees revealed on January 21, 2027.