Bulgarian Film 'Zhaleika' Awarded at Berlinale 2016

Zhaleika, a movie directed by Eliza Petkova, received a recognition award at Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival), which was held in the German capital on February 11-21, 2016.

The movie got a 'special mention' in section Generation 14plus, in which the jury acknowledges and awards productions that are thematically and aesthetically linked to the experiences of children and young people. 

Petkova's first full-length production, which was shot and produced in Bulgaria, tells the story of the 17-year old Lora, who lives with her family in a small mountain village in Bulgaria. When her father dies, Lora rebels against the traditional mourning norms because she wants to continue living her youth.

"The compelling story of a young woman searching for her own place in the world, and her achievement of that freedom, is brilliantly executed both in performance and direction,"the members of the jury commented on Berlinale's official webpage.

The role of Lora is played by 23-year old Anna Manolova, who competed with 40 other young actresses in an online casting. The role is the first attempt of the young actress, who is a second-year student at Sofia's High College of Theatre "Luben Groyss."

The recognition at Berlinale is not the first award for Eliza Petkova. In 2015 her movie "Absent"debuted at Cannes Film Festival.

Petkova, who is currently enrolled at the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin, has been directing since 2008, producing three documentaries, six short-length movies and one web series.