About

Founded in 2003, IN THE PALACE International Film Festival is dedicated to short films and audiovisual arts. Originating as a competitive forum for student films, it is now a recognized platform for expression of both young and emerging artists and experienced professionals.

IN THE PALACE is an Academy Awards®/OSCAR® qualifying qualifying festival in the categories of Best Fiction, Best Animation, Best Documentary, and Best National Film. IN THE PALACE is a member the Short Film Conference.

IN THE PALACE annually launches the last weekend of June and offers a range of events, activities, and programs for both - local and international film industry and audience:

• International and national, professional and student competitive programs of fiction, documentary, animation andexperimental films
• ON FOCUS film programs & screenings
• Q & A sessions
• FILMER FORGE industry program: panels, industry meetings, pitching training and sessions, an interdisciplinary conference and a range of opportunities for formal and informal networking
• THE SHORT FILM: GENRE SUI GENERIS – annual science conference on she short film genre since 2018
• Video library
• Film events and initiatives for general audience
• Parties

Aiming to provide an access to industry, trends and developments, and learning in the arts and culture through exhibition, training and interdisciplinary exchange, IN THE PALACE is a cultural meeting point of film industry, artists, students, civil sector, public institutions and the general audience.

The 23rd IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival will run from June 22nd to June 28th 2026, at the Palace of Culture in Pernik, Bulgaria. It is organized by the IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival Foundation & the Culture Pernik Municipal Foundation, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Pernik Municipality, the Bulgarian National Film Center and the National Culture Fund.