25.09.2025

 

"Stoichkov - The Movie" - the Bulgarian legend heading to world screens

The upcoming feature film will be a large-scale production without analogues, a national project that will excite the entire country and leave a mark on the international stage.

"Stoichkov - The Movie" will tell the story of the life and career of the Legendary Eight on the big screen. The premiere of the film is planned for the end of 2027, and the team's ambitions are for the large-scale cinema project to be unparalleled and to become an event that will excite the entire country in the coming years and leave a mark on the international stage. The news was announced at a special event on September 25, 2025 at MINA Sofia - the first immersive space in the capital. Behind the camera stands the visionary director Martin Makariev - a professional with an unerring eye, for whom there are no insurmountable cinematic boundaries. His talent, together with the creative team consisting of Alexander Sano and Vladimir Pamukov, will take viewers beyond the image of Stoichkov and reveal the most dramatic, most intimate and greatest moments in the life of the man who has become an emblem and eternal pride for Bulgaria. The story was entrusted to Georgi Angelov – a screenwriter, with whom Makariev is once again joining forces, following an already proven successful creative formula.
“At our first meeting with the team for the film, they provoked me with the words: “Hristo, you have an important unfinished business in this life!” I looked at them first in surprise, and then in disgust. And they quickly explained: “You have a great story, but you don’t have a film!” But then what are you waiting for, I answered them! Do it! And make it beautiful, because… My left hand is still good at it!”, said Hristo Stoichkov.

“After all the cheers died down and the stadiums were empty, the memory of the man who made Bulgaria have a face and a name before the world remains. Stoichkov gave us the pride to walk with our heads held high when the word “Bulgarian” was uttered – today it is our turn to tell his story and return the gesture. One for all and all for one,” said Martin Makariev.
“We have a unique, perhaps even historic, chance to turn the spotlight on Bulgaria through a film about a world sports legend. Hristo deserves it, as does our nation,” commented Alexander Sano.
"I like to joke with Hristo, because few people do. And that's why I tell him not to worry about whether it will be a good film. I promised him that if they don't give us an award, we would go on stage at a festival and fight for it. However, he didn't like this idea at all. And now there's no way - we're starting the hard way towards our dream of something memorable. If nothing else, at least we have dreams!" added Vladimir Pamukov.

Winbet is also behind the project. "Cinema is one of the most accessible forms of art and for us as a company directly involved in supporting Bulgarian sports, it is important to create a film that pays due tribute to the legacy of Hristo Stoichkov, so that it can be preserved and passed on to future generations," the company shared.
The Municipality of Plovdiv is also joining the project - not just as a partner, but as a guarantor of its cause, prestige and national importance. The support of Kamata's hometown gives the film an even stronger charge and establishes it as an event with a special place in Bulgarian culture and identity.
The international partner for the realization and distribution of the film is Cloud9 Studios - an American company that has established itself in the global film industry with carefully selected high-quality productions with the potential for global success. The studio emphasizes strong creative storytelling and strategic partnerships, including the joint work with Angeles Studios on the Zero A.D. project. – one of the biggest film productions with an upcoming premiere. It stars stars such as Ben Mendelsohn, Jim Caviezel and Gael Garcia Bernal, and the main role is entrusted to Deva Cassel – the daughter of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel.
“Stoichkov – The Movie” will also go beyond the borders of the country to present Bulgaria on the world stage. This is a film that belongs to everyone – a story about the victories, the character and the uncompromising spirit of one person and one nation.
Conceived as a national project, “Stoichkov – The Movie” gives every Bulgarian the opportunity to be part of a story that will remain for generations.

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