Boris Despodov

Boris Despodov started filmmaking two decades ago and his films have received recognition in some of the world's most celebrated film festivals. His debut documentary film 'Corridor #8' was awarded the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the 58th Berlinale Film Festival, followed by the Best Emerging Director at HotDocs and Best Documentary Film at Sarajevo Film Festival. In 2015, he directed the Italian film icon Claudia Cardinale in his low-budget feature film 'Twice Upon A Time In The West'. The film was her first leading role in a decade. In February 2023 the film is screened in MoMa in New York part of a Claudia Cardinale tribute series. His company, Arthouse Blockbusters, produced Tonislav Hristov's documentary 'Soul Food Stories'. The film was short-listed for the IDFA mid-length award in 2013. His recent co-production 'Give Up The Ghost' by Zain Duraie premiered at the 76th Venice Film Festival and won the El Gouna Star for the Best Arab Short Film at the El Gouna Film Festival 2019. In 2021, 'May She Rest In Peace' by the Iranian film director Nazol Kashani received the ARTE Prize at Dresden Film Festival. He is a member of the Documentary Association of Europe, EAVE producers' network and the Bulgarian Film Academy.