The Flood and the Petrified Forest: Film Premiere in Burgas

The national premiere of the documentary film "The Flood and the Petrified Forest" promises to be one of the most significant events in the Kinomania` 2025 program. The premiere will begin in Burgas on November 8, at 4:00 PM, at the NHK Cultural Center. A large interest is expected in the event, which marks the first screening of the film to the general public.

After the screening, the audience will have the rare opportunity to meet and talk with the film's team. A special discussion, which will follow the screening, will focus on the scientific and environmental aspects of the topic, deepening the audience's understanding of the challenges and the significance of the discoveries presented in the film. The project is funded by the National Film Center, which underlines the importance of support for Bulgarian cinema.

The film "The Flood and the Petrified Forest" opens the doors to a unique underwater phenomenon – the Petrified Forest near Sozopol and St. Ivan Island. The film combines scientific discoveries, the beauty of nature, and the rich cultural heritage, drawing attention to the environmental and educational significance of this natural treasure for the entire Black Sea region. The film is expected to present the Southern Black Sea in a new and inspiring way, positioning the region on the world tourism map.

The documentary "The Flood and the Petrified Forest" focuses on the unique natural phenomenon of the Petrified Forest, located at the bottom of the Black Sea. Presenting it as a world wonder, the film also tells about the power of the human spirit, driven by the desire to explore the secrets of the underwater world.

The production of Doli Media Studio, made with the support of the National Film Center, carries the author's signature of director and cinematographer Elenko Kasaliyski and screenwriter Margarita Boycheva. Their professional experience is expected to give the film an impressive vision and in-depth presentation of the topic.

The film takes the viewer underwater - in the waters near Sozopol and St. Ivan Island. Viewers will witness the story of an exceptional natural mystery, which may turn out to be the only one of its kind in the world. The underwater "petrified forest", located between the ancient city and the sea islands, preserves evidence of geological and biological processes that took place millions of years ago.

According to the latest hypotheses of scientists, the trees in the petrified forest were buried under marine sediments after a cataclysm, probably related to the invasion of Mediterranean waters through the Bosphorus. This event is believed to be the real historical prototype of the biblical Flood, which gives additional meaning to the scientific research.

But the film is not just a presentation of the phenomenon. It sheds light on the work of scientists and enthusiastic researchers. The team includes specialists from Sofia University, BAS, and the Center for Underwater Archeology in Sozopol, who are scientists in fields such as geology, paleontology, marine biology, ichthyology, archeology, and geophysics.

The expedition leader is Assoc. Prof. Lyubomir Kenderov from the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University. The team also includes Assoc. Prof. Mihail Iliev, Chief Assist. Prof. Stefan Velev, Chief Assist. Prof. Iliya Gyonov, Prof. Nesho Chipev, Prof. Albena Aleksandrova, Prof. Kalin Porozhanov, Assoc. Prof. Yamandey Stanila, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Bozukov, Marian Kenderov, Assoc. Prof. Ralitsa Sabeva, Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, Dr. Kalin Dimitrov, Dr. Nayden Prahov, and Kiril Velkovski. The creation of the scientific collective and the realization of the project have been approved and funded by the "Scientific Research" Fund to the Ministry of Education and Science.

The film presents contemporary science in action in a cinematic way. From underwater research with sonars and GPS positioning, to laboratory analyzes and attempts to accurately date the petrified trees. It is this dating that can turn the discovery into a unique one on a global scale, since other similar forests in the world, such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico, are significantly younger and not petrified.