Bulgaria has selected Milko Lazarov’s Tarika (Bulgarian title: Stadoto) as its official submission for the 98th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category, the country’s National Film Center announced, noting the choice was made by a five-member expert committee.
Set in rural Bulgaria, the film follows Ali and his daughter Tarika, whose rare “butterfly wings” bone condition draws fear and hostility from their community; the cast includes Vesela Valcheva and Zahari Baharov.
Tarika premiered in the Love strand of the 68th BFI London Film Festival in October 2024 and later opened in Bulgarian theaters in February 2025. It has collected festival recognition, including the top prize at the Kolkata International Film Festival along with a FIPRESCI award.
The selection continues Lazarov’s presence in the awards race after Ága represented Bulgaria in 2019, and arrives with the film positioned as a Bulgaria–Germany–Luxembourg co-production backed by companies including Red Carpet, 42film and Amour Fou Luxembourg.
The Academy’s calendar places the International Feature submission deadline on October 1, 2025, with shortlists due December 16, nominations on January 22, 2026, and the ceremony on March 15, 2026. Bulgaria has submitted regularly for decades but has yet to secure a nomination in this category.
