Bulgaria's Boyana Film Center threatens national film industry if redeveloped

Industry expert Dimo Drenchev warned that if the Boyana Film Center loses its function as a film studio, Bulgaria could suffer a severe blow to its film sector. He said the country would lose a large share of its competitiveness as a destination for international productions, risking removal from the map of European production hubs.

He noted that thousands of specialists – actors, directors, cinematographers, set designers, editors, technical crews and related businesses – would be affected. The loss would also undermine recent changes to the Film Industry Law that aim to attract foreign investment, as financial incentives alone are insufficient without a modern production base. Drenchev compared the centre to the Kozloduy nuclear plant, describing it as strategic infrastructure essential to the cultural and economic fabric of the nation, and called on the state to protect the public interest and seek a suitable strategic investor.

The interview emphasized the potential creative and economic fallout for Bulgarian producers and directors, who could lose the ability to partner equally in co‑productions and see a gradual erosion of the professional capacity built over decades.