THEY
18’
Bulgaria
Dance, Romance, Drama
A film by Kosta Karakashyan
A charismatic young professor begins to struggle at his new job at Sofia University after an awkward encounter with the older chairman of the department threatens to expose a mutual secret.
synopsis
They is a love letter to those quiet love stories that can’t be said out loud. The story is inspired by my own intimate, lived-in experience as a queer man in Bulgaria, in the past unable to reach out and celebrate my partner in public or hug him in difficult times, frozen by the air of homophobia that lurks in everyday life.
As a queer filmmaker and choreographer, I wanted to explore the nuances of sensuality and tenderness through dance, not dialogue — where bodies become the storytellers and movement becomes a shared language. Our protagonists, Miho and Lyudmil, are tender and delicate with each other in their inner world, inspired by the beauty and abandon of dance and physical touch.
This film is dedicated to all those who have yet to feel free to be themselves in the open.
director’s notes
credits
second assistant director
Stefani Raycheva
associate choreographer
Iskra Daskalova
Kosta Karakashyan
director
Simeon Todorov, Kosta Karakashyan
writers
Veselin Anchev, Kal Minev
with
Hot Potato, Studio Karakashyan
produced by
Ivan Tsutsumanov
dop
Volen Penev
edited by
Milena Kaleva, Julia Gerzilova
casting by
Martin Taskov
sound designer
Angel Radev
music
Ada Paunova
production designer
Polina Dobreva
costume designer
Victor Djakov
unit production manager
Roman Pessarov
production coordinator
Ana Kitanova
first assistant director
Gobrina Getsova, Vilislava Kirilova, Bratan Bratanov, Elka Kormova, Drago Bago
key supporting cast
Antonia Georgieva
associate producer
Kosta Karakashyan
choreographer
Lyubomir Hristov, Dimitar Stoynov, Kristina Boyanova
second assistant camera
Stoyan Doychev, Niki Barov
first assistant camera
Presian Neychev
production sound mixer
Noura Al Kadri, Kosta Karakashyan
producers
Vladislav Yankov, Boyko Pekanov, Ivaylo Georgiev
set dresser
Boryana Koseva
key hairstylist
Boris Tivchev, Motiff Pictures
colorist
Petya Savova
main title design
Marina Mladenova
key makeup artist
FESTIVAL SELECTIONS AND AWARDS
✷ 22. Cinedans FEST | World Premiere - 2026
bio
Kosta Karakashyan is a Bulgarian-Armenian director, choreographer, and writer, known for blending emotional intimacy with bold visual storytelling. His work spans narrative film, commercials and music videos, rooted in human connection, queer identity, and poetic movement.
Kosta’s work has screened at over 50 festivals worldwide, addressing themes of queer identity and resilience. His dance documentary WAITING FOR COLOR, about the LGBTQ+ purge in Chechnya, won the Prix Lumière at Cinédanse Ottawa, was featured by The Guardian, GLAAD, them, and Radio Free Europe, and established him as a politically engaged visual storyteller. Other award-winning projects include a real boy (NOWNESS Picks), Surrender (Sofia Film Festival, Master of Art Festival), and In Her Skin (Beyond The Short).
A Columbia University graduate (BA in Dance), Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 honoree in Arts & Culture, and one of Bulgaria’s Youth Delegates to the United Nations, Kosta is recognized for shaping powerful platforms that merge art and advocacy. He has worked globally across New York, Germany, Egypt, Japan, and Vietnam and is an alumnus of Berlinale Talents and a member of the European Film Academy.
With every film, he aims to move people, not just visually, but viscerally.
filmography
✷ THEY
(2026)
A REAL BOY
(2023)
SUPERSEXUAL
(2022)
IN HER SKIN
(2022)
SURRENDER
(2022)
INNER BLOOM
(2022)
GLANCE FROM THE EDGE
(2021)
THE OBJECT GAME
(2021)
WAITING FOR COLOR
(2019)