kviff.com
News
Festival Guide
  • Tickets and Festival Pass
  • Accommodations
  • Transportation
  • Festival cinemas
  • No Barriers project
  • Kids at the festival
  • Festival Shop
Program
  • Catalogue of films
  • Accompanying programme
  • Archive of films
  • Audience award
  • KVIFF Talks
  • Film Entry
Film Industry
  • Industry accreditation
  • Film Industry at KVIFF
  • Industry Days Programme
  • KVIFF Eastern Promises
  • KVIFF Talents
Press
  • Press accreditation
  • Press Service
  • For download
  • Press releases
  • Photogallery
  • Videogallery
About the festival
  • Festival description
  • Programme sections
  • Awards
  • History
  • We support non-profits
  • Photogallery
  • Partners
  • Why We Support the Festival
  • Contacts
CZ
Sign in
Film Archive

Sneakers

East of the West - Competition 2011 / Kecove / Bulgaria 2011

The lives of six young people intersect during the course of a summer spent on a wild beach on the Black Sea coast. They have all abandoned the city and left their worries behind them. Here in the virginal natural surroundings, they find a temporary paradise and longed-for freedom. This feature-length debut by two young Bulgarian directors is a testimony infused with contagious energy reflecting the authentic statement of a generation.

Sneakers

Synopsis

The lives of six young people intersect during the course of a summer spent on one of the last remaining wild and empty beaches on the Black Sea coast. They have all abandoned the city and left their worries and problems behind them – disagreements with parents, break-ups, financial straits.... Here in the virginal natural surroundings, somewhere outside time and space, they find a temporary paradise and longed-for freedom. The only conflicts they have with the real world are the occasional encounters with law enforcers who try to move them out of the protected conservation area. Via documentary footage of conversations captured on film by the actor Ivo during these tranquil days, each one of the group gradually reveals his or her dreams, desires and fears. Deep inside, they all know that the idyll won’t last forever.... This feature-length debut by the two young directors is a testimony infused with contagious energy reflecting the authentic statement of a generation. It is also proof that Bulgaria’s up and coming directors, whose films have enjoyed an increasing presence at important international film festivals in recent years, will continue to make their mark.

About the film

110 min / Color, 35 mm

Director Ivan Vladimirov, Valeri Yordanov / Screenplay Valeri Yordanov / Dir. of Photography Rali Raltchev / Music Kiril Dobrev / Editor Svetlana Kirilova / Producer Galina Toneva, Kiril Kirilov / Production Gala Film Ltd. / Cast Philip Avramov, Valeri Yordanov, Ivan Barnev, Vassil Draganov, Ivo Arakov, Ina Nikolova / Contact Gala Film Ltd.

About the director

Ivan Vladimirov, Valeri Yordanov Ivan Vladimirov, Valeri Yordanov

Valeri Yordanov (b. 1974, Sofia) studied acting at Sofia’s National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts. He works as a stage actor for the Bulgarian National Theatre and also as a film actor. He played one of the leading roles in Ivan Cherkelov’s film Crayfish (Raci), which was screened in the East of the West competition at KVIFF in 2009. Sneakers is his directorial debut, in which he plays one of the main roles. Ivan Vladimirov (b. 1976, Pernik, Bulgaria) completed his studies at Sofia’s National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in 2001. He worked as assistant director on various feature films in 1998-2007. His short film Waltzes and Tangos from the Village of Whitewater (Valtsove i tanga ot tselo Byela voda, 2007) was premiered at the Locarno IFF in 2007 and was subsequently screened at several other international film festivals. Sneakers is his feature film directorial debut.

Contacts

Gala Film Ltd.
1b, Strumitza str., 1000, Sofia
Bulgaria
Phone: +359 298 142 09
Fax: +359 298 129 71
E-mail: [email protected]

Guests

Galina Toneva
Producer

Ivan Vladimirov
Film Director

Valeri Yordanov
Film Director

Ina Nikolova
Actress

Pilip Avramov
Actor

Ivo Arakov
Actor

Kiril Kirilov
Producer

Other partners
Newsletter

First-hand brews throughout the year.
Be among the first to learn about upcoming events and other news. We only send the newsletter when we have something to say.

Follow us on the web:

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
is part of the KVIFF Group family, which covers other projects as well:

© 2025 KVIFF GROUP

Rules for Visitors / Website visitors privacy policy / GTC / Personal Data Protection / Rules for Claim / Rules and Regulations / Contacts