Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Theodore Ushev turns down award from the Moscow Film Festival

Theodore Ushev refused to accept the special "Silver Saint George" award which was bestowed to him for his feature film "Phi1.618" at the Moscow International Film Festival.

In a video address posted on Facebook, he addressed the jury in Russian, English and Bulgarian: "Under any other circumstances, I would be happy to accept this statuette - it symbolizes the victory of good over evil... But today here, in this country, in beautiful Moscow, the places of good and evil are reversed...  I can't accept this award in a city where orders are issued for the murder of children, women and old people to your brothers - to my brothers.”

Theodore Ushev also says that in his little film, a small, insignificant person blows up the mighty spinning top of totalitarian titans, as in his favourite fairy tale, where Ivanushka the Fool outsmarts Koschei the Immortal (because tyrants are always considered immortal). The director expresses his belief that good will defeat evil in war. "Everyone must choose which side they are on - good or evil, on the side of Koschei The Immortal or Ivanushka," he declared.

Theodore Ushev ends his video address with the words spoken in Bulgarian: "Make movies, not war!"




The Montreal-based Theodore Ushev is best known as an animation artist. He was nominated for an Oscar award for his animated short film Blind Vaysha (2016). The film Phi1.618 is his debut feature film.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Spanish writer Ana Andreu Baquero to present her novel "The Princess of Buchenwald"

Spanish writer Ana Andreu Baquero is coming to Bulgaria to present her novel "The Princess of Buchenwald" , the Cervantes Institute, which is organising the event with the Hermes publishing house, announced.  The presentation of the book is scheduled..

published on 2/12/25 8:10 AM

Bulgaria Gallery in Rome dedicates an evening to healer Ivan Raev

On February 12, in the cosy space of the Bulgaria Gallery in the heart of Rome, compatriots and Italians will gather to commemorate a Bulgarian healer who with perseverance and dedication managed to change the lives of thousands of..

published on 2/11/25 8:41 PM
Georgi Grozev

Georgi Grozev studies trumpet in Ghent and represents Bulgaria around the world

"Music discovered me," says Georgi Grozev and tells us with a smile how in kindergarten he went to sign up for piano lessons on his own. "And that is how my journey in music started, almost as a joke." Georgi Grozev studies..

published on 2/11/25 1:14 PM