Bulgarian film director and screenwriter Yana Lekarska presented her award-winning film “Because I Love Bad Weather” (2024) to a packed theater at the European Union Film Festival in Ottawa on November 16, 2024.

On November 18, 2024 the Bulgarian director also screened at the Korean Cultural Centre in Ottawa three of her short films made in Korean language and with Korean actors:  “The Bridge,” "November Will Be May," and "Here and Now." The event also included a screening of the film “Heartbeat” by Korean director Lee Chang-dong.

Both events enjoyed great interest of the audience. The Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Canada Mr. Plamen Georgiev presented Ms. Lekarska to the audience. After the screenings she held an in-person discussion with the public and talked about her creative inspirations and the making of each film.

Mr. Tom McSorley, Executive Director of the Canadian Film Institute, thanked for the Bulgarian participation in the EU Film Festival, calling the participation a “marvelous contribution to film culture in Ottawa.”

On November 19, the Bulgarian director departed to Toronto, where she will present on November 21 “Because I Love Bad Weather” as part of the EU Film Festival.

Ms. Lekarska’s Canadian tour includes free screenings of “Because I Love Bad Weather” to the Bulgarian audiences in Niagara Falls (November 20), Toronto (November 22) and Montreal (November 23).

“Because I Love Bad Weather” will also be screened in Vancouver on November 26 as part of the EU Film Festival, as well as on November 30 at 6 p.m. in Calgary (Maranatha Christian Church, 2111 52 St NW).

The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa would like to express its special gratitude to the Bulgarian National Film Center for its exclusive support.