Crisis at NATFIZ: Official reaction expected from the European alliance FilmEU amid protests

Tensions at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFIZ) are escalating. Students and faculty continue their protest actions, with their primary demand being the resignation of Rector Prof. Miroslav Dachev.

The conflict, which began in July under the slogan "I am not a semester fee," has now moved beyond internal academic disputes. Currently, attention is focused on the international dimension of the crisis. According to the Vice-Rector of NATFIZ, Prof. Dr. Elena Trencheva, the academy's leadership is awaiting an official letter from Prof. Manuel José Damázio, the chief coordinator of the European university alliance FilmEU.

What does this mean for students and the country?

The involvement of FilmEU—a European initiative for cooperation between universities—turns the local protest into a matter of international reputation. For the average student, this means a risk of changes in study conditions and access to European educational programs. For Bulgaria, it is important to monitor whether the institutional conflict will limit the opportunities for Bulgarian professionals to integrate into the European educational space.

It remains to be seen whether the letter from FilmEU will call for mediation or will increase the pressure on the leadership of NATFIZ.