Uzana Rainbow Hill Outdoor Film Festival
Welcome to the Uzana Rainbow Hill Outdoor Film Festival—a celebration of adventure, storytelling, and the wild, untamed beauty of the outdoors.

Perched in the heart of the Stara Planina Mountains, Uzana Rainbow Hill is more than just a ski hill. It’s a place for those who seek freedom beyond the boundaries of big resorts, a space where winter lovers, trail runners, climbers, and explorers come together to embrace the mountains on their own terms.

We created this festival to bring together filmmakers and adventurers who share a deep love for the outdoors, movement, and the stories that unfold in nature’s grandest settings. Whether your film captures the raw energy of skiing and snowboarding, the solitude of long-distance running, the vertical dance of climbers on untouched rock, or the simple joy of venturing into the unknown—we want to see it.

But this isn’t just any film festival. Here, the mountains become the cinema.
Our screenings will take place under the open sky, surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views of the Stara Planina. Imagine watching films about wild places while being immersed in one—feeling the crisp mountain air, the scent of pine, and the vastness of the landscape as each story unfolds on the big screen.

If you live for the outdoors and filmmaking is your way of capturing its magic, we invite you to submit your film. Whether you’re an established filmmaker or a passionate first-timer, this festival is a place to share your vision with a like-minded community that values adventure, authenticity, and the art of visual storytelling.

Join us at Uzana Rainbow Hill and let’s celebrate the soul of the outdoors through film.

📍 Where? In the heart of Bulgaria’s Stara Planina Mountains, at the beautiful Uzana Rainbow Hill—a gathering place for those who seek adventure beyond the beaten path.
🎥 What? A festival dedicated to outdoor films—skiing, snowboarding, running, climbing, mountaineering, surfing, and beyond.
🌿 Why? Because the mountains inspire stories, and stories inspire us to explore further.
🌌 How? Under the stars, with nature as our theater—an experience as wild and unforgettable as the films themselves.

We can't wait to see your films and share the adventure together!

Rules & Terms

Our categories are:

1. Mountain & Winter Sports Films 🏔️🎿
Films that capture the thrill of skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, ice climbing, and winter expeditions. From deep powder lines to high-altitude challenges, this category is for films that embrace the beauty and extremes of the winter landscape.

2. Adventure & Exploration Films 🚵‍♂️🌍
Stories of daring expeditions, long-distance journeys, and human resilience in the face of nature’s wildest challenges. Whether it's bikepacking through remote landscapes, trail running across continents, or deep jungle explorations, this category is for those who seek the unknown.

3. Climbing & Vertical World Films 🧗‍♂️🏜️
A category dedicated to rock climbing, bouldering, alpine ascents, and big wall expeditions. Whether pushing personal limits on sport routes or capturing legendary first ascents, these films bring the vertical world to life.

4. Environmental & Outdoor Culture Films 🌿🎥
Films that tell stories about the connection between people and nature, conservation efforts, and the impact of outdoor culture. From environmental activism to indigenous perspectives and sustainable outdoor lifestyles, this category explores the deeper meaning of adventure.

5. Bulgarian Adventure Films 🇧🇬🎬
A special category for films created by Bulgarian filmmakers or featuring adventures set in Bulgaria. From the majestic Rila and Pirin mountains to the Black Sea coast, we want to showcase the unique landscapes, outdoor culture, and bold spirit of Bulgarian adventurers.

Uzana Rainbow Hill Outdoor Film Festival – Submission Rules & Guidelines
The Uzana Rainbow Hill Outdoor Film Festival is a celebration of adventure, storytelling, and the wild beauty of the outdoors. We welcome filmmakers from around the world to submit films that capture the spirit of nature, movement, and exploration. Below are the guidelines for submission:

1. Submission Formats

Films must be submitted via an online screener or a physical HDD. If submitting a physical copy, the tracking number, film title, category, and running time must be clearly labeled. Submitted copies will not be returned.

2. Submission Eligibility

All submitted films must have been completed after January 1, 2023.
Bulgarian premieres are required for feature films, documentaries, and VR content.
There is no premiere requirement for short films.
Works-in-progress and films that already have distribution are eligible for submission.
3. Submission Fee

Submission fees are based on the festival’s deadlines. Please check our FilmFreeway page for details.

4. Submission & Shipping Requirements

If submitting a physical copy, your package should be sent to:

Festival Submissions
"Uzana Rainbow Hill Outdoor Film Festival"
Address: Orlovska #167, Gabrovo 5300, Bulgaria

All shipping and postage costs for the submission package, as well as for selected films, must be covered by the submitter.
The festival will not absorb any customs fees, and all charges must be pre-paid.
International packages must be labeled "Trade Sample" on customs forms and should not exceed a declared value of $10 USD.
5. Formats & Screening Requirements

Selected films must provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or another suitable high-quality format, with a backup Blu-ray.
The film title must be clearly labeled on all materials.
Selected films must submit their DCP no later than three weeks before the festival screening date.
📍 Screenings Under the Stars!
Our festival is unlike any other. Films will be screened outdoors, against the breathtaking backdrop of the Stara Planina Mountains. The open sky and crisp mountain air will set the perfect scene for storytelling in its purest form.

🎥 Join us in celebrating the soul of the outdoors through film!