Bansko Film Fest 2025

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In this week’s Buzz:

• I’m visiting over the festive period. Where is best to watch the Kukeri?

• Full information about English films at the Bansko Film Fest

• Fines for pedestrians using a crossing while on a mobile phone

• Michelin dinner at the Kempinski

• Bansko Street Dogs quiz date announced

• Has overtourism killed Bansko’s future?

• It’s the “quiet season” in Bansko right now, but it doesn’t feel like it

A quick guide to the 24th Bansko Film Fest and which films are in English

This coming week, the 24th Bansko Film Fest comes to town. This is an event that brings people from different parts of Bulgaria and across Europe to enjoy films made about and on mountains all around the world.

This year, there are 83 films being shown from an initial 300 submissions from 43 different countries. The festival runs from Wednesday morning to Sunday afternoon and takes place at three locations in the centre of Bansko. See the festival programme of events here.

Here is a breakdown of the films that are in English (this information is directly from the organisers of the film fest).

Films in English

• Weds (11.50am): Y Ddraig

• Weds (2pm): First day of winter

• Weds (2.45pm): Miavana - to bring together

• Thurs (12.42pm): Rale 2024 Exploration and Climbs

• Thurs (1.45pm): The Nordland Trekking Trail

• Thurs (2.03pm): Fierce

• Thurs (2.48pm): Mountain Roots

• Fri (2.05pm): Always Alive

• Fri (2.40pm): On The Blunt End

• Fri (11.30am): Jamrock: The birth of Jamaican rock climbing

• Fri (12.30pm): Chaos Glacier Country

• Fri (12.30pm): Samuel Volery: The Slackline Legend

• Fri (3.45pm): Keep Going

• Sat (12pm): A Month in The Mountains

• Sat (11.15am): Of A Lifetime

• Sat (12.17pm): 2 Legs is 2 Easy

• Sat (12.50pm): The Shackleton Row

• Sat (1.35pm): Northern Lines

• Sun (1.15pm): Hungry Gravity

• Sun (3pm): B.I.G. - A World First

• Sun (12.30pm): This Side of Silence

Films with mixed languages (including English, French, Italian, and Spanish): Odyssea Borealis - The Unknown Still Exists, Painting the Mountains, Fomo, Champions of the Golden Valley, Creators, The Extra Mile, Champions of the Golden Valley, The (Bi)Cycle, The future of climbing, Moving HImalayas, Beyond, CHRONOCEPTION.

Should the information about English language films be available on the website programme? You’d think so, yes. But it was more than a little taxing to get this information from the organisers, so we’ll make that a plan for next time 😂 

The official opening ceremony is at the Big Hall on Wednesday (19th) at 6.30pm.

You can read more about each film and watch the trailers here.

Altspace: a coworking space that fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.

Our community bridges the gap between the Bansko community and working online at a coworking space, bringing people together by challenging each other on Side Hustle Day, enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant, painting & wine, or chilling and talking about everything and nothing at Friday Beers.

If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance, then book a trial day with Altspace Coworking. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 87 New Posts, 💬 277 Comments, 👍️ 821 Reactions

We’re Going on the Train to Velingrad. Any Recommendations?
Ashley is going to visit Velingrad using the local narrow-gauge train service from Bansko and wants to know if there are any good places to eat/visit. See where people suggested.

I’m Visiting Over Christmas/New Year. Where is Best to Watch the Kukeri?
Wendy is coming across to Bansko over the festive period and wants to watch a Kukeri performance, but she’s not sure if Razlog or Bansko is the best option. See what people had to say.

Dear Property Owners, We’re Not All Tourists Who Want to Pay Tourist Prices
Cristina is looking for a long-term place to rent with a notarised rental contract for a residency application. She seems to have come across some property owners who are quoting higher prices than she believes are reasonable. See what comments people had.

Do You Need a Vignette to Drive to Lidl in Razlog?
Eabeauti wants to drive to Lidl in Razlog but wonders if you need a vignette to get there by car or whether there’s another way.

Bansko & Beyond

A new name for the news section. Thank you to everyone who voted for it in the Beehive.

Hawk Taekwondo Club Continues Successful Run
The local Taekwondo club (Hawk) has once again had a successful competition at the State Kickboxing Championship in Burgas. Participants from Bansko came away with one gold (senior girls up to 60kg), one silver (senior boys up to 63kg), and one bronze (junior boys up to 70kg). Read more.

New Handmade Sewing Studio on Pirin Street
This week, a new handmade sewing studio opened on Pirin Street. I passed by there on Friday evening and made a mental note to go check it out. A good thing the owner posted in the BNB group, inviting people to go visit. If that’s your thing, go check it out when you’re on Pirin Street next (it’s near Dabov Coffee). Read more.

Fines for Pedestrians Using a Mobile While Walking on a Pedestrian Crossing
New changes to the Road Traffic Act mean that if a pedestrian uses his or her mobile phone (talking or looking at it) while using a pedestrian crossing, they could be fined up to 100 BGN if seen/stopped by the police. The fine amount has also been increased for a person driving a vehicle and using their phone (up to a 600 BGN fine and confiscation of their driving license for up to two months). Read more.

Local School Urges Parents to Think Sensibly
The local primary school on Otets Paisii Street has issued a notification to parents to use the 24-hour car park close to the school that offers 20 minutes free parking when dropping off and picking up children. It seems that some parents are still continuing to cause a hazard by wanting to park on the curb/pavement of the street. Read more [Cyrillic reading ability required.]

Plus Property Bansko: Local Real Estate Experts

If you own an apartment in Bansko and you’re thinking about selling, then we offer a free valuation and listing of your property. Currently, it’s the best time to sell in Bansko.

We help you through the whole process to get the best price for your property, offering a realistic for-sale price, ensuring that all local property and maintenance fees are paid, showing prospective buyers around, and making everything easy. We have lawyers on hand and use one of the best notaries in the area.

If you’re looking for a local property expert who can help get the best price for your property, contact us today.

SELL YOUR BANSKO PROPERTY

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Events Next Week

Ashtanga Play Classes at Lotus Vibe
For all levels of yoga enthusiasts, Ashtanga play classes will take place at Lotus Vibe on Wednesdays at 7am. More info.

Creative Bansko Talks
A two-day event that brings together artists, artisans and cultural professionals from Bansko and the local area. They’re meeting at 10am on Friday (21st) in the centre of town. It’s put together by Omaya Studio, and they plan to have a regular monthly meeting throughout the winter season. Registration is required. More info [Translation required.]

An Introduction to HIIT & Functional Training
A fitness-focused event taking place in the lower part of town near the cemetery, on Saturday (22nd) at 2pm. The event is free, but registration is required. And, I’m also assuming you’ll need your regular workout/gym gear to take part. More info.

Michelin Star Dinner at Kempinski
An exclusive culinary experience at Come Prima Restaurant at the Keminski Hotel on Saturday (22nd) at 7.30pm. For 279 BGN per person, you get an exceptional seven-course gourmet meal designed and prepared by one Michelin Star chef Jonas Zörner, Head Chef at the Kempinski in Berlin. This is accompanied by a selection of wines from BNK Wines. More info.

New Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy Event
The local BJJ gym on Mozgovitsa Street is opening a new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy on Sunday (23rd). This is an open day for the academy with three seminars (fee payable) that start from 10am. Please note: this event will take place in the bottom end of town near the cemetery. More info.

Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
The next pub quiz for Bansko Street Dogs is on Monday 1st of December at The Avalon. Usual timings at The Avalon: the quiz starts at 7.30pm with Asian snacks/bites served. More info.

Local Marketing Workshop for Bansko Businesses
Myself and Becky (from Altspace Coworking) are running a marketing workshop for local Bansko-based businesses. This will be at Altspace’s central location on Gotse Delchev Street at 11am on Sunday 30th of November. The workshop will cover promoting a local business in Bansko on Facebook, Instagram and Google Maps. More info.

Inside The Beehive 🍯

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Photo of the Week

Glazne River and the Pirin Mountains.

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