“The Inspector’s Debt,” directed by Teodora Markova, has been named the winner of the €50,000 ($58,200) FFC Bulgaria and Film Forge competition.
The winner was announced at an exclusive villa event in partnership with Variety on May 18 in Cannes, organized by International Film Festival Glasgow, Female Film Club and First Draft, founding members of FFC Bulgaria.
In “The Inspector’s Debt,” Niki, a young debt collector in a small Bulgarian town, begins a dangerous war with a powerful local police officer, who refuses to repay his debt. In reality, she is his illegitimate daughter seeking revenge for her suffering. Even though he eventually settles his debt, she cannot stop – she demands public acknowledgment from him in front of the entire town.
“The Inspector’s Debt” is a Bulgarian-Latvian co-production, currently in the last financing stages, and will benefit from a €50,000 voucher for the use of space and equipment at Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Producers are Martin Markov and Kristina Despotova of Mirrormind in Bulgaria and Uldis Cekulis of VFS Films in Latvia. The film has already secured funds from national film bodies in Bulgaria and Latvia, along with multiple awards and support from international competitions and co-production markets.
The jury included Sarah Putt, chair of BAFTA, Vanessa Hanneman, talent agent, Jacqueline Wagenstein, director at CineLibri, producer and filmmaker, producers Morgan Cano-Long and Mariana Conde-Grant, Bulgarian distributor Nina Blagoeva, Lisa Cole, filmmaker, Jasmine Becker, Film Forge executive, and founding members Krassimira Belev of First Draft, Liza Van Der Smissen of FFC, and Martin I. Petrov of IFFG.
Blagoeva, of distribution company Alexandra Films, said, “The filmmakers voice their concern about the loss of empathy and show the courage and hope that our society needs. With emotional story and popular cast demonstrating good on-screen chemistry of complex characters, the movie has good theatrical potential for the local market and prospective to cross borders and resonate not only in Eastern Europe. The music is a crucial element diversifying the movie from a heavy drama and making it more appealing to young audience.”
Conde-Grant said, “It’s a film I’d love to see made and can’t wait to watch. Fresh, bold and culturally sharp, with a confident directorial voice and a strong sense of tone and style. It’s clear the filmmakers know this world inside out, and despite its playful tone and musical energy, it feels authentic. The cast are outstanding and will no doubt bring even more life and energy to an already vibrant script.”