"The Inspector's Debt" Wins €50K FFC Bulgaria Prize

"The Inspector's Debt," directed by Teodora Markova, has been awarded the €50,000 ($58,200) FFC Bulgaria and Film Forge competition prize. The announcement was made on May 18 in Cannes during an exclusive event. This Bulgarian-Latvian co-production is currently in the last stages of financing. The film tells the story of Niki, a young debt collector in a small Bulgarian town who confronts her police officer father. She seeks revenge for his past actions, demanding public acknowledgment of their relationship. The win includes a €50,000 voucher for Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Producers Martin Markov, Kristina Despotova of Mirrormind (Bulgaria), and Uldis Cekulis of VFS Films (Latvia) are overseeing the project. The film has already secured funding from national bodies in both Bulgaria and Latvia, alongside various international awards and market support. Judges highlighted the film's courageous voice, emotional depth, and potential for both local and international theatrical distribution, noting its appeal to younger audiences through its music and vibrant script.