Bulgaria has picked Valeska Grisebach’s The Dreamed Adventure as its official entry in the best international feature category for the 99th Academy Awards. The slow-burning thriller, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, reunites two old friends in a crime-ridden Bulgarian border town.
The film follows archaeologist Veska (Yana Radeva) and her old friend Said (Syuleyman Alilov Letifov). They meet again decades after leaving their hometown, and when Veska tries to help Said recover his stolen car, she gets drawn into an underground world of criminal activity. That pull brings her into a war between rival criminal gangs.
Grisebach spent years researching the movie and casting non-professionals to play the leads. She also learned Bulgarian for the film. The German director’s second feature shot in Bulgaria follows Western (2017).
Veska and Said Reunite
The premise is simple. Veska and Said reunite decades after leaving their hometown. The car theft sets the plot in motion, and the film turns into something darker once Veska starts helping.
Grisebach’s decision to cast non-professionals is part of her approach to the film. Learning Bulgarian for the project shows how committed she was to getting the details right.
Cannes and the Jury Prize
The film premiered in competition at Cannes, where it won the Jury Prize. Janus Films picked up North American rights to the movie out of Cannes.
Both deals suggest distributors saw value in the film.
A Long Road to the Oscars
Bulgaria has submitted several films to the Oscars over the years, but none have been nominated or won. This year’s pick is Bulgaria’s latest attempt to break that pattern.
The film arrives with a Cannes win, which gives it a stronger starting position than previous entries had. Whether that translates to a nomination remains to be seen.
The Shortlist and Beyond
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the 15 films on the best international feature film shortlist on Dec. 15. Five nominees will be announced Jan. 21, 2027. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027.
For Bulgaria, this is a chance to break through a long history of empty nominations. For Grisebach, it is a chance to bring her second feature to a wider audience.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Shortlist announced | Dec. 15, 2026 |
| Nominees announced | Jan. 21, 2027 |
| Ceremony | March 14, 2027 |
What Comes Next
The shortlist announcement is the first test. If The Dreamed Adventure makes it onto the list of 15, Bulgaria will have passed a milestone it has never reached before. From there, the path to the final five narrows quickly.
The film’s Cannes win gives it a fighting chance. But the competition is fierce. The five nominees will be named in January, and the ceremony follows in March.
The Case for Veska and Said
The film’s strength lies in its central relationship. Veska and Said are old friends who meet again decades later. Their reunion sets the plot in motion, and their bond carries the story through the danger that follows.
The criminal world they enter is not a side detail. It is the engine of the film, driving Veska deeper into trouble as she tries to help Said. The war between rival gangs adds tension, but the heart of the story stays with the two friends.
A Quiet Win for Grisebach
Grisebach’s work on The Dreamed Adventure shows a director willing to commit fully to a project. Years of research, casting non-professionals, and learning a new language for the film all point to a filmmaker who takes her craft seriously.
The Jury Prize at Cannes is a notable achievement. That recognition gives the Oscar campaign a strong foundation.
The Road Ahead
The road from shortlist to ceremony is long. The Academy will narrow the field in December, and then again in January. Bulgaria’s chances depend on how the Academy responds to The Dreamed Adventure.
For Grisebach, the film represents a second feature set in Bulgaria. Her earlier film, Western (2017), was her earlier feature shot in Bulgaria.
The Journey Begins
The selection of The Dreamed Adventure is a quiet delight. It is a film with a Cannes win behind it, a director with a proven track record, and a country looking for its first Oscar moment. The odds are long, but the film has the tools to surprise.
The story of Veska and Said is a simple one, but it is told with care. The slow burn works in favor of the film, giving the reunion and the danger that follows room to breathe.
The Academy will have the final say. The shortlist announcement on Dec. 15 will reveal whether The Dreamed Adventure has cleared the first hurdle. From there, the road to March 14, 2027, will be a long one, but the journey begins now.
Bulgaria has picked a winner for its Oscar bid. The question now is whether the Academy agrees.
See the a run of 28 images at The Hollywood Reporter.
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