Will the “Bulgarian Hollywood” continue to work its cinematic magic?

Until recently, global stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Ryan Reynolds were filming Hollywood blockbusters there. Today, however, the atmosphere is tense, and the drama has nothing to do with a film script. Nu Boyana Film Studios, nestled at the foot of Vitosha Mountain near Sofia and covering an area of 30.2 hectares, is facing its most decisive moment in the past two decades.

On 17 November, a 20-year restriction on the disposal of the properties owned by Nu Boyana Film will expire. The end of this legal restriction has triggered a wave of concern. In September, representatives of the film community and the independent cultural sector staged protests outside the film studios and the Ministry of Culture. The key question within the industry is whether Boyana Film Studios will remain a home for cinema or whether this highly desirable plot of land will become part of the construction boom in the Bulgarian capital.

What will change on 17 November?

To understand why this autumn date is so important, we need to go back to 2006. That year, the state-owned company Boyana Film EAD was privatised by the US company New Image Bulgaria for more than €6 million. The contract included a strict clause: for a period of 20 years, the buyer was not allowed to transfer shares, sell plots of land or change the studio’s business activities.

During that period, the American investors transformed Boyana into one of the most modern film production facilities in Eastern Europe. However, the expiry of the restriction means that, from a legal perspective, the owners will have full freedom to dispose of the property.

A blockbuster factory: The magic of the sets

Behind the gates in Sofia’s Boyana district lies an entire world. It features huge sound stages and vast sets, recreating everything from meticulously detailed New York streets and ancient Rome with its Colosseum to medieval squares and Arab villages.

Films shot there include the action franchise The Expendables, Rambo: Last Blood, Hellboy, 300: Rise of an Empire and The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

Growing public concern has brought two opposing positions on the issue to the fore. On the one hand, film industry professionals warn that there are no guarantees for the preservation of the studio’s infrastructure and that the site could be at risk of residential development. They are calling for an immediate state audit of the privatisation deal.

On the other hand, Nu Boyana CEO Yariv Lerner has firmly rejected these claims. In an official statement, the studio said: “Boyana is not for sale. We continue to shoot films. We continue to invest. And we intend to remain part of the future of Bulgarian cinema.” The company added that it had repeatedly turned down lucrative offers for the land precisely in order to safeguard the film industry.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture announced that inspections had found no violations of the privatisation contract.

What could Bulgaria lose?

The Boyana Film Center has long been more than just a privately owned business property. It has become a pillar of the country’s socio-economic landscape. The film studios provide a livelihood and high professional standards for thousands of Bulgarian stunt performers, cinematographers, sound engineers and other industry professionals.

Moreover, through training centres such as the Film Forge Vocational Training Center, young Bulgarian talent has an exceptional opportunity to learn directly from professionals with experience working on major international productions.

If the studio’s operations are scaled back, Bulgaria risks losing its leading position as a film-making destination in the Balkans, a position built up over the past decades.

The future of Boyana Film Studios remains a major test of the balance between economic interests and the preservation of cultural heritage. Although statements from the studio’s management offer some reassurance, the film community remains on alert.

The public and the institutions will need to keep a close eye on any future investment plans for the site at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. This is essential to ensure that the “Bulgarian Hollywood” can continue to work its cinematic magic rather than turn into yet another residential complex.

Photos: BGNES, Nu Boyana Film Studios