History is not just text in a textbook; it reaches us through individual human destinies, weaving together love, betrayal, exile, wars, and dreams. This ability of documentary cinema—not merely to recreate the past, but to make us understand why it remains significant today—is the foundation of the DOCK International Documentary Film Festival, which began in 2018. From September 17 to 22, 2026, Burgas will host this significant event for the ninth consecutive time. In the halls of the Neftohimik Cultural Center (1 Troikata Square), audiences will immerse themselves in stories from every corner of the world, covering topics ranging from major European politics and armed conflicts to art and intimate personal memory.
As a special highlight and companion event tied to the festival theme "80 Years Since the End of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom," the book "Tsarist Bulgaria (1879–1946)" by Prof. Petar Stoyanovich and Assoc. Prof. Ivaylo Shalafov (published by Knigomania) will be presented on September 16 at 6:00 PM at the Helikon bookstore (4 Troikata Square). This work is the first and only encyclopedic monograph of its kind regarding the structure, history, and biography of the Bulgarian royal court over the last 145 years. The luxury edition includes over 650 rare photographs and documents, and visitors will have the opportunity to get an autograph from Prof. Stoyanovich with free admission.
The festival will open on September 17 at 7:30 PM with a screening of the film "Sylvie Vartan. From Love." The film, directed by Emma Konstantinova and written and produced by Georgi Toshev, follows the journey of the great singer from the Bulgarian village of Iskretz to world stages. Filmed over the course of 16 years, the documentary is a profound portrait of emigration, fame, and personal drama, and will be presented in person by Georgi Toshev. Following this start, DOCK 2026 continues with an intensive competition program:
- "Romain Gary: It Couldn't Be Better Said" – the story of the life of one of the most extraordinary diplomats and writers of the 20th century.
- "Sarkozy - Gaddafi: The Scandal of All Scandals" – a documentary look at high-stakes politics, power, and influence.
- "Stalin's Coca-Cola" – an unusual chronicle about the symbolism of objects and propaganda.
- "The Cruel Path" and "The Secret of the Star Squadron" – films about dramatic wartime decisions with consequences for generations.
- "Caravaggio" – an encounter with the genius, passions, and contradictions of the great painter.
- "Zelensky" – a dynamic narrative about the journey from show business to the heights of state power.
- "Hitler's Greatest Fear" – an analysis of the hidden sides of the Nazi dictatorship.
- "The Eichmann Trial" – a discussion on personal responsibility and moral choice.
- "Mr. Nobody vs. Putin" – a story about courage in modern Russia, awarded the Special Jury Prize at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
This year, the festival is expanding its scope by introducing a competitive selection for short historical documentary films for the first time. The titles include:
- "Martian Memories"
- "Statues Also Die?"
- "Palestinian Lentils"
- "Stone Memory"
- "Brutalism"
- "The Angoulême Heist (Testimonies and Interviews)"
- "The Forgotten Fort of Florida"
- "I Do Not Forget"
- "TGX"
The theme "80 Years Since the End of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom" is also presented through a selection of films such as "Ferdinand of Bulgaria" by Svetoslav Ovcharov, "The Boy Who Was King" by Andrei Paounov, "The Citizen Tsar" by Lyuboslav Atanasov, "The Return of the Tsar" by Lachezar Avramov, and "One Testament." This is an invitation to the audience to rethink the legacy of these pivotal years.
The jury that will evaluate the films includes chair Boya Harizanova (director) and members Daniel Kain (historian), Kaloyan Bozhilov (cinematographer), Konstantin Vulkov (journalist), and Olga Lozanova (expert). In addition to the competition program, the festival is introducing a People's Choice Award. On September 22 at 11:00 AM, the meeting "Introduction to (Film) Documentaristics" will be held at the Regional Library with Prof. Petar Stoyanovich, Dimitar Stoyanovich, and Lachezar Avramov. The closing ceremony and awards presentation will take place on September 22 at 9:00 PM. All screenings feature free admission, and the initiative is supported by the Municipality of Burgas and the National Film Center.