This was made possible by the new initiative See it, say it, film it! – climate change and ecology meet the arts, supported by the Bulgarian EUNIC cluster, and implemented locally by the Arte Urbana Collectif association.

The initiative aims to promote environmental education while encouraging young people from diverse regions of Bulgaria to harness the power of audiovisual media as a tool for expressing meaningful messages. It seeks to empower them to adopt an active civic role, enabling them to address pressing local challenges and share inspiring stories from their communities. Through this initiative, young participants are encouraged to reflect on their surroundings, raise awareness about environmental issues, and creatively present ideas that resonate with their peers and the broader public.

The See it, Say it, Film it! project took place in Vidin, Troyan, the village of Karpachevo, and Lovech, unfolding in three stages in each of these locations.

Screenings of short film programmes

The first stage of the See it, Say it, Film it! project took place from May 15 to 29, featuring screenings of short film programmes with powerful social and public messages. These screenings were held for young people across various locations in North-West Bulgaria: at an old mill in Karpachevo (May 15–16), the regional library in Vidin (May 27–28), and a school in Troyan (May 28–29).

The presented short films explored critical topics such as environmental protection and climate change, offering a contemporary, personal and creative perspective on these global issues. Each screening was followed by a discussion with a film professional and a seminar with a special guest, focusing on a specific environmental theme.

This approach allowed the young participants to delve deeper into these topics and connect them to their own communities. The selected films showcased a diverse range of styles and techniques, including fiction, documentary, experimental, and animated works from all the European countries involved in the project.

Creative youth film camps

Following the screenings and discussions, the second stage of the project gave students the opportunity to step into the role of creators. During the summer and early autumn, the Arte Urbana Collectif team, with the support of local partners, organised special creative youth film camps in Troyan, Vidin, and Lovech. Over the course of five days in each location, the programme included practical workshops where participants developed original stories and filmed them as short visual essays, focusing on environmental topics relevant to their local areas or communities.

The guest mentors and event organisers included filmmakers Slava Doycheva and Klara Stoyanova, theater director, actor, and workshop leader Dimitar Uzunov, cultural project coordinator Maria Veleva, as well as film educators and experts from Arte Urbana Collectif’s Cinema at School programme: Evi Karageorgu, Ralitsa Assenova, Daniel Simeonov, and Maria Dacheva.

Here’s what the young participants shared about the summer creative camps:

At the film camp, I felt amazing. I had the chance to try something completely new for me. I discovered a newfound curiosity and a strong desire to pursue video production in the future. Every day, we had specific tasks and goals that we completed in an organized and planned way. Beyond working on shooting the short film, we had so much fun, which made the experience even more exciting and unforgettable.

Viktoria, young participant from Vidin

While we were filming our movie, there was a massive protest against the municipality's decision to cut down all the trees on one of the most beloved streets in Troyan. We decided that our film could play an important role in influencing the course of events. There were eight of us, and each of us chose an iconic tree to tell its story. This was our way of adding value and history to the street.

The street has 137 trees. Just imagine the look - not only of the street but of the entire town - without nearly 140 grown trees, with their large, majestic canopies.

Maria, young participant in the creative activities, 16 years old from Troyan

The filming was a true adventure, with many inspiring moments and unforgettable stories from the camp.

Vladimira, young participant in the creative activities, 18 years old from Lovech

A feedback from the mentor in the creative camps, the filmmaker Slava Doytcheva:

It was amazing to see firsthand that "talent" is not something extraordinary or rare, but rather a matter of attention, guidance, and cultivation. This reinforced my belief that arts education should be fully accessible to all children, regardless of gender or social status. It’s also wonderful to witness the pure creative process that unfolds when there is no fixed idea of how things “should” be done.

Presentation of young filmmakers' debut short films

The third and final stage of the project, the thematic Days of Art and Ecology, took place on October 5 in Troyan, October 30 in Vidin, and November 14–15 in Lovech. During these events, young filmmakers aged 13 to 18 presented their debut short films and participated in engaging discussions, sharing fascinating insights about their creative process.

In addition to the exclusive screenings of the student films, the art and ecology days offered a rich variety of activities for visitors. These included screenings of a special selection of European eco-themed films, interactive discussions, and workshops for children for local kindergardens linking short films and recycling. A highlight of the programme was the entertaining science performance The Long Way to the Stars, featuring renowned director and actor Dimitar Uzunov and popular Bulgarian astronomer Dr. Vladimir Bozhilov, followed by a lively discussion with the performers.

During the Days of Art and Ecology, the audience had the opportunity to watch a diverse selection of European long-length films: I Am Greta by Nathan Grossman (Germany, UK, Sweden) which follows the journey of Greta Thunberg, the Swedish activist who became a global symbol for climate change; When Tomatoes Met Wagner by Marios Papadopoulos, a story about a Greek village where locals, led by a passionate farmer, revive tomato cultivation while merging agriculture with art; Woman at War, a unique mix of action, drama, and comedy, following Halla, a secret eco-activist fighting against the local aluminium industry to protect Iceland's pristine nature; Story of Water, a documentary from Spain, explored humanity's deep relationship with water, examining its historical, cultural, and ecological significance; and The World According to My Father, a Czech documentary comedy by Marta Kovářová, which tells the story of a physicist and his artistic daughter working together to find solutions to climate challenges.

Here’s what the organisers from Arte Urbana Collectif shared about the project:

For us as organisers, the most rewarding part is seeing an idea that once existed only on paper come to life. The goal of the project was to engage young people in a creative process, encouraging them to view their surroundings through a new lens and think about how they could improve and beautify their environment. Students watched European films focused on environmental issues, then reflected on their own communities to decide which story they wanted to tell and how they saw the world. In three locations, we built small communities where, over five days, participants used what they learned to create their own films. Now, it's time for them to stand behind their work and present their creativity to their communities.

The See it, Say it, Film it! project has had a significant impact, inspiring over 600 participants across Bulgaria to engage in creative processes addressing environmental issues. Through film screenings, workshops, and debates, young people explored the power of audiovisual media to convey meaningful messages, reflect on their surroundings, and take an active role in their communities.

The project culminated in the creation of three exceptional short films, entirely made by young participants, each highlighting local environmental challenges and offering fresh perspectives. These films are a testament to the creativity and dedication of the young filmmakers, who not only learned the technical skills of filmmaking but also embraced their civic responsibility.
The screenings of their films during the Days of Art and Ecology were a moment of pride for the participants, as they shared their work with their communities and reflected on their transformative journey.

The short films may be watched here.