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Handplayed is a full-service production company working across commercials, branded content, films, and stills.
Crafted in the EU by experienced producers and crews, we make complex productions seem straightforward.
Bulgaria at a Glance
Currency
Euro (€)
Tax Rebate
25% cash rebate on eligible Bulgarian spend for feature films, TV series, and other qualifying non-commercial productions.
Travel
Sofia is approximately 2-3 hours from most major European hubs, including Amsterdam, London, Paris, Vienna, Munich, and Stockholm.
Climate
- Summer: up to 40°C
- Spring & Autumn: 10–20°C
- Winter: down to -10°C
Four distinct seasons make it possible to double for a wide range of European locations.
Locations & Infrastructure
Studios
Bulgaria offers a wide range of sound stages, studios, and build spaces suitable for productions of all sizes.
Virtual Production
Handplayed has extensive experience with virtual production workflows, combining LED volumes, set extensions, and practical builds.
Urban Landscapes
The New York & London standing sets at Nu Boyana Studios, the suburban American village, the authentic Wild West at Bufo Studios, the eclectic charms of tsarism and communism, Sofia has a lot to offer.
Natural Landscapes
Alpine backdrops, lush forest roads, a fertile valley, and a sea coast, Bulgaria boasts one of Europe's most extensive ecological networks, with approximately 35% of its total land territory protected.
Why Producers Like Bulgaria
World-Class Art Departments
Bulgaria has decades of experience building large-scale practical sets for international productions.
Experienced International Crews
All senior crew members speak English and regularly work with international clients.
High Production Value
Budgets stretch further without compromising quality.
Flexible Locations
Urban, rural, industrial, mountains, coastline, monarchist, Soviet-era, modern European, Mediterranean-looking - within a few hours' drive.
Rich Equipment, Props & Costume Inventory
From motion-control systems and camera vehicles to pontoons, platforms, period costumes and hard-to-source props, Bulgaria's production infrastructure is equipped to support even the most demanding of projects.
Good to know:
Shooting Days
The standard shooting day in Bulgaria is 11 hours plus a 1-hour lunch break. For children, it's 4 hours. Overtime is charged at 150% for the first two hours and 200% thereafter.
Casting Diversity
The international community in Sofia continues to grow, but projects requiring significant ethnic diversity often benefit from casting across multiple European markets.
Street And Drone Permits
Depending on the municipality, shooting permits can take from 2 to 10 working days, while drone flying permits usually take about 5 working days to be approved in high-density areas.
Road Closures
Road closures are possible but allow for 2 weeks of lead time for approvals for smaller streets or roads and 3-4 weeks for bigger arteries.
Mountain Locations
Beautiful, but logistics, weather changes, and transport times should be accounted for.
Visas
Cast and crew from some non-EU countries may require visas to enter Bulgaria. We recommend allowing at least three weeks for processing, and longer when possible.
Stunts, Firearms & Military Equipment
Bulgaria has extensive experience supporting productions requiring complex stunts, military vehicles, weapons handling, and specialised action departments.
Why Handplayed?
- Internationally experienced producers
- Commercials, features, documentaries or series
- Awarded for creative and craft at The One Show (shortlist), White Square, Communicator Awards, IAB Mixx, ФАРА
- Premieres in competition at Locarno, Sofia Film Fest, Brussels Short Film Fest, Reykjavik Film Festival, Thessaloniki Film Festival, with projects sold to HBO and Canal+
- Trusted by global brands, such as PayPal, BBC, Durex, Bosch, AirWick, Payhawk, Tinashe, and many more
Handplayed develops and produces original films and premium branded content. We approach production from both a creative and executional perspective, solving challenges rather than simply fulfilling briefs.
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