Animation in Bulgary
Bulgaria’s animation sector stands a chance of rivalling some of its European neighbours in terms of size and output following increased government and national broadcaster support.
Strong animation tradition
Bulgaria has a strong history of producing artistic animation that goes way back to the 1960s, with international festivals regularly bringing distinctive animated short films from Bulgaria, such as Tasks of the Day (2019), to audiences around the world.
Compared to many other European countries, Bulgaria has produced a relatively small number of animated series and feature films. However, the introduction of a 25% cash rebate for international film and TV productions in 2021, meanwhile, has helped stimulate activity and there are strong signs more Bulgarian animated series and feature films will come to fruition in the coming years.
Moreover, though Bulgarian studios have previously suffered due to local broadcasters’ unwillingness to finance more commercial forms of animation such as animated series and feature films, there are signs that the country’s national broadcaster is stepping up to the plate to allow local producers to become more active on the European animation scene.
Since the late 2010s, Bulgaria’s animation sector has mobilised with the formation of the Association of Bulgarian Animation Producers (ABAP), which continues to expand and by 2025 had around 20 member companies. Some of these are working to develop the sector commercially and attract back animation talent who have moved overseas with the development of original IP.
Service work continues to be provided by international clients, which means the skillset to produce series and features is certainly present in Bulgarian studios. With a taste for innovation, these studios are also poised to embrace workflow efficiencies brought on by tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI), however there are also concerns over AI misuse and copyright issues, with calls for legislation to protect artists’ work. While AI has practical uses, it lacks originality in storytelling, something audiences increasingly crave and Bulgarian producers are eager to deliver.
While in the past Bulgarian producers have had to resort to methods such as online crowdfunding to raise finance, the 25% cash rebate and recent increased dialogue with government bodies is helping to improve the financial options available to Bulgarian producers.
Historically, there has been a lack of awareness in Bulgaria’s screen sector regarding the potential economic rewards that can come from investing in original, commercially viable animation, as demonstrated in countries such as France and Ireland. This is changing, as evidenced in the introduction of Bulgaria’s Film Industry Act, which has boosted funding for local filmmaking. Among the changes, it saw annual state funding for animated films increased, while television series are subsidised via a new, separate state aid scheme.
Bulgaria is also becoming a more active participant in initiatives such as the European cinema support fund Eurimages, overseen by The Council of Europe, which has opened up another source of funding for animated projects.
Crucially, Bulgarian National Television (BNT), the public television broadcaster of Bulgaria, has signalled its intention to begin pre-buying animated series, which will enable local producers to access broader European Union (EU) funding via Creative Europe MEDIA. This is a hugely significant step forward and comes as Bulgaria’s official presence at important markets such as The Annecy International Animation Film Festival becomes more established.
Growth on the horizon
Despite recent progress, challenges remain for Bulgarian producers. There remains limited awareness of animation’s economic potential and local support systems remain underdeveloped compared to some fellow European countries, while Bulgaria’s VFX companies are facing the same uncertainty impacting the global VFX industry.
Streaming platforms such as Netflix have shown an interest in working with Bulgarian producers, however there are yet to be any local originals commissioned by any of the streaming giants out of Bulgaria. Some producers are experimenting by going direct to the audience online on platforms such as YouTube, however this strategy has not been adopted more widely due to the limited potential for return on investment.
Nevertheless, as the industry slowly shifts from service work to original content creation, increased communication with government and the Bulgarian National Film Centre is playing a key role in steady growth that could receive another boost following Bulgaria’s expected adoption of the Euro currency in 2026.
Maintaining a gender balance in its studios and supporting female creators; sustaining and strengthening connections with European animation sectors via international coproductions; as well as investing in research into the demographics and economic value of the local sector remain the priorities for Bulgarian animation in the years ahead.
Bulgaria’s animation sector stands a chance of rivalling some of its European neighbours in terms of size and output following increased government and national broadcaster support.
Strong animation tradition
Bulgaria has a strong history of producing artistic animation that goes way back to the 1960s, with international festivals regularly bringing distinctive animated short films from Bulgaria, such as Tasks of the Day (2019), to audiences around the world.
Compared to many other European countries, Bulgaria has produced a relatively small number of animated series and feature films. However, the introduction of a 25% cash rebate for international film and TV productions in 2021, meanwhile, has helped stimulate activity and there are strong signs more Bulgarian animated series and feature films will come to fruition in the coming years.
Moreover, though Bulgarian studios have previously suffered due to local broadcasters’ unwillingness to finance more commercial forms of animation such as animated series and feature films, there are signs that the country’s national broadcaster is stepping up to the plate to allow local producers to become more active on the European animation scene.
Since the late 2010s, Bulgaria’s animation sector has mobilised with the formation of the Association of Bulgarian Animation Producers (ABAP), which continues to expand and by 2025 had around 20 member companies. Some of these are working to develop the sector commercially and attract back animation talent who have moved overseas with the development of original IP.
Service work continues to be provided by international clients, which means the skillset to produce series and features is certainly present in Bulgarian studios. With a taste for innovation, these studios are also poised to embrace workflow efficiencies brought on by tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI), however there are also concerns over AI misuse and copyright issues, with calls for legislation to protect artists’ work. While AI has practical uses, it lacks originality in storytelling, something audiences increasingly crave and Bulgarian producers are eager to deliver.
Impact of financial tools
While in the past Bulgarian producers have had to resort to methods such as online crowdfunding to raise finance, the 25% cash rebate and recent increased dialogue with government bodies is helping to improve the financial options available to Bulgarian producers.
Historically, there has been a lack of awareness in Bulgaria’s screen sector regarding the potential economic rewards that can come from investing in original, commercially viable animation, as demonstrated in countries such as France and Ireland. This is changing, as evidenced in the introduction of Bulgaria’s Film Industry Act, which has boosted funding for local filmmaking. Among the changes, it saw annual state funding for animated films increased, while television series are subsidised via a new, separate state aid scheme.
Bulgaria is also becoming a more active participant in initiatives such as the European cinema support fund Eurimages, overseen by The Council of Europe, which has opened up another source of funding for animated projects.
Crucially, Bulgarian National Television (BNT), the public television broadcaster of Bulgaria, has signalled its intention to begin pre-buying animated series, which will enable local producers to access broader European Union (EU) funding via Creative Europe MEDIA. This is a hugely significant step forward and comes as Bulgaria’s official presence at important markets such as The Annecy International Animation Film Festival becomes more established.
Growth on the horizon
Despite recent progress, challenges remain for Bulgarian producers. There remains limited awareness of animation’s economic potential and local support systems remain underdeveloped compared to some fellow European countries, while Bulgaria’s VFX companies are facing the same uncertainty impacting the global VFX industry.
Streaming platforms such as Netflix have shown an interest in working with Bulgarian producers, however there are yet to be any local originals commissioned by any of the streaming giants out of Bulgaria. Some producers are experimenting by going direct to the audience online on platforms such as YouTube, however this strategy has not been adopted more widely due to the limited potential for return on investment.
Nevertheless, as the industry slowly shifts from service work to original content creation, increased communication with government and the Bulgarian National Film Centre is playing a key role in steady growth that could receive another boost following Bulgaria’s expected adoption of the Euro currency in 2026.
Maintaining a gender balance in its studios and supporting female creators; sustaining and strengthening connections with European animation sectors via international coproductions; as well as investing in research into the demographics and economic value of the local sector remain the priorities for Bulgarian animation in the years ahead.
ABAP
The Association of Bulgarian Animation Producers aim is to achieve mutuality and unity within the animation guild around a common vision for the development of the Bulgarian animation industry. The goals around which we have united are: to protect the interests of the Bulgarian animation industry; to improve the conditions for financing and production of animated films; to make Bulgarian animation available for a local and international audiences.