"Baba and the Bear": Bulgarian documentary to premiere in Sarajevo

The Bulgarian documentary "Bear With Me" conquers Sarajevo

The documentary "Bear With Me" (Baba i Meca) by director Martin Genovski has been selected for the competition program of the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival. The world premiere of the film will take place during the forum, which will be held from August 14 to 21, 2026.

The film examines the complex relationship between man and nature, exploring themes of memory, freedom, and vanishing professions.

A story of memory and coexistence

The production, filmed in 2025, tells the touching story of a retired circus bear trainer who lives together with her last protégé in a parking lot near Amsterdam. The film combines unique archival footage with a contemporary look at the lives of the two protagonists.

• Producer: Agitprop
• Co-production: Autentic, ZDF, ARTE
• Support: National Film Center (NFC)

"Bear With Me" is one of 22 productions competing for the prestigious "Heart of Sarajevo" award in the documentary film category. This year, a total of 51 films will compete for awards in the four sections of the festival.

Bulgarian success at the Sarajevo festival

The participation of Bulgarian artists in the festival is becoming a tradition. Last year, five Bulgarian productions were presented at the forum, with Kristina Nikolova's "In Hell with Ivo" winning the Special Jury Prize. Other successful titles with Bulgarian participation included "Yugo Florida" and "Rubber in a Woven Shopping Bag," which also received recognition from the international jury.