Milko Lazarov's film "Herd" won the grand prize at the fourth edition of the "Sveti Vlas Film Fest" film festival, BTA reported.
The award was presented by the festival director Daniela Dineva.
The award is being established for the first time.
Director Milko Lazarov addressed the audience with a message: "I thank the organizers and the jury for their desire and efforts. I want to wish you something simple but important - to perceive cinema as art. I believe that it will be so. I hope the festival will build on and we will meet more and more often here - in Sveti Vlas."
The award for best film went to "Gundi - Legend of Love".
The story of the legendary Bulgarian football player Georgi Asparuhov - Gundi, told through the prism of a great love, became a phenomenon from its premiere. The film crossed the 500,000 ticket sales mark and found a place in the top 20 of the most successful films in Bulgarian cinemas of all time.
The award was presented by the executive director of the National Film Center, Petar Todorov.
"I was here two years ago and I see the growth of this festival. I congratulate the organizers, because I know how difficult it is to organize events outside of Sofia, but I believe that soon this festival will join the leading ones in the country", said Todorov when presenting the prize.
The ceremony was attended by artists, actors, directors and fans of the seventh art. President Petar Stoyanov, who was a guest at the festival, addressed warm words to the organizers. He emphasized the cultural significance of the event, stating that:
"Such events dedicated to art and Bulgarian cinema should be more and more common. I believe that from this red carpet here - in Sveti Vlas, new European and Bulgarian stars will start.
For the first time, the award named after journalist Ivan Garelov for debut was also presented within the festival, which went to Dimitar Stoyanovich for the film "Flesh".
The award for directing went to Niki Iliev for the film "Wingless". The award for best cinematography went to Hristov for the film "Wedding".
The category for leading male role was won by Julian Vergov for his participation in "Triumph", and the prize for leading female role went to Plamena Getova for "Flesh".
This evening, another award was also presented - for best screenplay. In this category, "Bezvetrije" won by screenwriters Pavel Vesnakov, Simeon Ventsislavov, Teodora Markova, Nevena Kertova and Georgi Ivanov.