In the Bulgarian city of Varna the XVI International Festival of Red Cross and Health Films has taken place under the auspices of Bulgarian Vice President Margarita Popova. The festival was created in 1965 and until 1991 it was a popular international event.

The festival is organised by the Bulgarian Red Cross and the Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, as well as by the World Health Organization and UNESCO. This is an A–category festival, just like the festivals in Venice, Cannes, San Sebastian and others.

The festival in Varna is not just a film event, but also a place where scientists, medics, movie directors, journalists and film critics from all around the world could share their experience.

In 2014 this unique event was restored after a long pause, and its organizers are the Bulgarian Red Cross and the Medical University in Varna.  Prof. Bozhidar Manov who is a film critic and art director of the event told us more about the project.

"Two important circumstances motivated me to participate in the restored festival of Red Cross and Health Films. Some 37 years ago this was the first big international film festival for me as a young critic. And it left a mark in my career. Secondly, which is even more important is the fact that the festival has the extremely important and universal task of promoting the activities of the Red Cross, but moreover it pays attention to topics related to humanism, environment protection, development of modern medicine. These topics are extremely relevant during the current migrants’ crisis situation. All these made me become part of the festival team.”

In its current edition the restored festival has three competitive categories. A total of 150 films from 16 countries were shown during the festival. Besides the main competitive program, there was a separate program of films dedicated to two important topics - 100 years since the birth of Bulgarian cinema and the 70th anniversary since the end of the Second World War.

"These are people who have devoted their lives to the idea”, Professor Manov further said. “There were colleagues from Turkey who gladly took part in the festival. Ms. Bettina Kummer of the Swiss Red Cross, directors, writers, journalists also participated. During the festival discussions about professional issues and cinematography intertwined. And I think uniting the topics in a single festival is very beneficial.”

Here's what Ms Bettina Kummer, a participant in the international jury, told Radio Bulgaria.

"I have been working for many years in the organization. This is a demanding job but I do it with pleasure. During the festival I had the opportunity to see a number of exciting films like the one by Irina Sinclair, focusing on abandoned children. I have had interesting meetings with colleagues and these contacts have given me much in professional and personal aspect. I have been impressed by the work of young volunteers from Varna who give a good example to the younger generation, and this is truly valuable,” said Ms. Kummer.

English: Alexander Markov