**STATUTE

of the 29th Festival of Bulgarian Documentary and Animated Cinema
“GOLDEN RHYTON”**

Approved by:

Petar Todorov
Executive Director
National Film Center (NFC)

I. VENUE AND DATES

Art. 1. The 29th Festival of Bulgarian Documentary and Animated Cinema “Golden Rhyton,” hereafter referred to as “the Festival,” shall take place in Plovdiv, at Lucky Cinema House, from 17 to 22 December 2025.

II. CHARACTER OF THE FESTIVAL

Art. 2. The Festival is competitive and includes documentary, popular science, and animated films, including international co-productions with Bulgarian creative participation in a position eligible for one of the Festival’s official jury awards.

Art. 3.1. The Festival’s competitive programmes are divided into two categories:

Documentary cinema

Animated cinema

Art. 3.2. Films eligible for the Festival’s programmes may include projects financed and produced through the competitive procedures of the National Film Center, as well as independent productions created after the director has completed their formal training.

III. ORGANIZERS OF THE FESTIVAL

Art. 4.1. The Festival “Golden Rhyton” is organized by the Executive Agency “National Film Center” (NFC) and the Municipality of Plovdiv, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and other professional organizations and institutions.

Art. 4.2. The Organizer operates according to the present Statute of the “Golden Rhyton” Festival.

Art. 4.3. Each edition of the Festival may include co-organizers from professional organizations engaged in film production, distribution, exhibition, and broadcasting, as well as non-profit organizations, media, and other legal entities contributing financially to the Festival.

Art. 4.4. The Organizer composes the Festival programme, ensures its implementation, appoints the Festival Jury and coordinates its work, invites guests, and oversees media coverage.

Art. 4.5. The Festival’s main media partners are the Bulgarian National Television, the Bulgarian National Radio, and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

IV. OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Art. 5.1. An operational bureau is established within the NFC for the organization of the Festival. Its composition and remuneration are determined by the NFC Executive Director.

Art. 5.2. The Executive Director of the NFC acts as the Festival Director.

V. JURY

Art. 6. The Festival’s competition programme is evaluated by a five-member jury, consisting of a Chairperson and four members.

Art. 7. The Jury Chair and members are appointed by the Organizer and Co-organizer.

Art. 8. Each jury member, including the Chair, has one vote.

Art. 9. Jury decisions regarding awards defined in this Statute are formalized in a protocol, signed by all jury members.

Art. 10. Each jury member receives remuneration under a contract with the National Film Center.

VI. FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES

Art. 11. Eligible films include Bulgarian documentary and animated films, as well as co-productions with Bulgarian participation. Films previously screened at earlier editions of the Festival are not eligible.

Art. 12. Submissions must be made by producers to: [email protected]
.

Art. 13. Producers may submit an unlimited number of films, provided each meets the Statute’s requirements.

Art. 14. All submitted films are subject to selection, except those already financed for production by the National Film Center.

Art. 15. Films involving jury members in any creative capacity are not eligible for competition.

Art. 16. At the Organizer’s discretion, informational programmes, thematic series and retrospectives, conferences, presentations, cultural events, and foreign films may also be included in the Festival.

VII. FILM COPIES

Art. 17. Each participating film’s copy and its quality control are provided by the producer.

Art. 18. Screening copies must be delivered by the producers no later than one month before the Festival begins.

VIII. COMPETITION AND OTHER PROGRAMMES

Art. 19. The schedule of screenings in the competitive programmes and all other Festival events is approved by the Festival Director.

IX. AWARDS

Art. 20. The Festival presents official jury awards, awards from creative unions and professional organizations, and additional awards.

Art. 21. The Festival Jury presents the following official awards:

Golden Rhyton Awards

Golden Rhyton for Best Documentary Film

Golden Rhyton for Best Animated Film

Municipality of Plovdiv Awards

Award of the Municipality of Plovdiv for Documentary Film

Award of the Municipality of Plovdiv for Animated Film

Special Jury Awards

Special Jury Award for Documentary Film

Special Jury Award for Animated Film

Creative Awards

Award for Screenplay for Documentary Film

Award for Screenplay for Animated Film

Award for Director of Documentary Film

Award for Director of Animated Film

Award for Cinematography in Documentary Film

Award for Production Designer in Animated Film

Award for Composer of Documentary Film

Award for Composer of Animated Film

Debut Awards

Debut Award in Documentary Cinema

Debut Award in Animated Cinema

Honorary Mentions

Up to two honorary certificates in each of the two main categories.

Art. 22. The Jury may not split any award.

Art. 23. The “Critics’ Section” of the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers presents Critics’ Awards.

Art. 24. Creative unions, foundations, and other organizations may establish their own awards, provided they apply in writing at least 20 days before the Festival. These awards must be approved by the Festival Director.

Art. 25. The monetary value of the Festival awards depends on the total funds raised for the event.

Art. 26. Awarded films receive a certificate signed by the Jury Chair.

X. FINANCING

Art. 27. The Festival is financed by the National Film Center, the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Plovdiv, and all co-organizers who confirm their financial contribution no later than one month before the Festival.

Art. 28. Additional funds may be raised from sponsors—companies, foundations, and organizations—which may not impose conditions affecting the Festival’s programme or operations.

XI. GUESTS AND PARTICIPANTS

Art. 29.1. Up to two representatives from the creative or production team of each film in the competition may participate at the Festival’s expense, including one night of accommodation and breakfast. Participants are responsible, including financially, for all reservations and commitments made.

Art. 29.2. Guests and participants may use the hotel’s preferential rates beyond the covered stay, at their own expense and responsibility.

Art. 30. Guests from abroad (filmmakers, experts, journalists, critics, etc.) may be invited at the expense of the Festival only by the Co-organizers.

Art. 31. Official guests (public figures, professionals, journalists, critics, producers, etc.) may be invited at the Festival’s expense solely by the Co-organizers.

Art. 32. The Festival Director approves the number and names of guests invited at the Festival’s expense.

Art. 33. The Festival Organizers accredit journalists from the media. Accreditations are issued by the Festival Directorate.

Art. 34. All co-organizers may invite film or television experts, producers, journalists, etc., at their own expense, subject to approval by the Festival Director.

Art. 35. The organization and implementation of the Festival are regulated by an agreement between the co-founders, which defines the responsibilities of each party.