Stefan Kitanov

Stefan Kitanov holds degrees in economics from the University for Bulgarian and World Economics, Sofia (1984), and in film criticism from the National Academy for Theater and Film Arts, Sofia (1991). In 1993-1994 he lived in Britain and studied arts management at the De Monfort University, Leicester. From 1992 through 1999, Kitanov was director and programmer of Cinema House, the most important art house cinema in Bulgaria. After establishing his production companies RFF International (1994) and Art Fest (2001), he began organising annual film festivals in Bulgaria. He organised as director and producer Music Film Fest (1997 and 1998), Sofia Music & Film Fest (1999 and 2000), and Sofia International Film Festival (since 2001), as well as several smaller film events. Sofia International Film Festival is the only Bulgarian film festival accredited by FIAPF and is considered as one of the key film events in South East Europe. Kitanov has produced or co-produced over 15 films the most successful of which was Stefan Komandarev's "The World Is Big and Salvation Lurks around the Corner" shortlisted for Foreign language Oscar in 2010. Art Fest has a long track of distributing quality European films in Bulgaria by directors as Wim Wenders, Michael Haneke,Lars von Trier, Fatih Akin, Dardenne Brothers, Ken Loach, Aki Kaurismaki, Francois Ozon, Kristian Mungiu, Kornel Mundruczo. Andrej Zviagintzev. Kitanov is a member of the European Film Academy and has served as jury member at many festivals including Cannes, Venice, Karlovy Vary and Moscow.