About Kaloyan Bozhilov

Kaloyan Bozhilov is a Bulgarian cinematographer based in Sofia, working across feature films, documentaries and international co-productions.

His approach to cinematography is rooted in the belief that the camera should serve the story rather than draw attention to itself. Whether working with natural light, large-scale productions or intimate character-driven films, he seeks images that are emotionally truthful and visually timeless.

After beginning his career in post-production and television in 2003, Kaloyan graduated in Cinematography from the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts "Krastyo Sarafov" (NATFA) in Sofia. During and after his studies, he worked extensively as a camera assistant and camera operator before making his feature debut as Director of Photography on Alienation (2013), directed by Milko Lazarov.

Alienation premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and marked the beginning of a long creative collaboration with Lazarov. Their next feature, Àga (2018), shot on 35mm Kodak film with anamorphic lenses in the Arctic landscapes of Siberia, premiered in the Official Competition of the Berlin International Film Festival, where it was selected as the Closing Film of the Berlinale. The film received international acclaim and numerous awards, including recognition for its cinematography.

Since then, Kaloyan has continued to work on feature films and international productions, collaborating with filmmakers from across Europe while exploring both digital and photochemical formats. His work combines technical precision with a strong commitment to visual storytelling, always seeking to create images that remain honest to the emotional core of each film.

His cinematography has been recognised with multiple awards, including three Golden Rose Awards for Best Cinematography, the Best Technical Contribution Award at the International Film Festival & Awards Macao for Àga, and the Golden Arch Award at the East & West International Film Festival.

Today, Kaloyan continues to develop feature films, documentaries and international co-productions, believing that the strongest images are those that stay with the audience long after the film has ended.