„The Birth of Change“- UK Premiere

The documentary The Birth of Change explores the chaotic, high-stakes origins of the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) following the fall of the Berlin Wall. It captures a moment where Western idealism met Eastern European reality to create a first-of-its-kind institution.
Founded during the volatile collapse of the Iron Curtain, the university was a rushed collaboration between the Bulgarian government, USAID, and George Soros’ Open Society.
The film investigates why the school was established in just a few months and located in Blagoevgrad—a politically sensitive region—rather than the capital. In a stroke of historical irony, the university was housed in the former Communist Party headquarters.
A major focus is placed on the inaugural students who risked their futures on an unproven school. These „alums of change“ now include world-class figures like investigative journalist Christo Grozev, as well as various media moguls and activists.
The story serves as a testament to how complex, often flawed collaborations can overcome deep-seated prejudice and propaganda to foster democracy and intellectual freedom.
It is a story of triumph over logistical and political chaos, showing how a group of visionary enthusiasts managed to transform a „precarious“ project into a powerful engine for change in the Balkans.

A Kiril Tsenov film
Written and produced by Georgie Ilifev
Director of photography Rumen Vassilev
Cameraman Nicolay Staykov
Original music Ivo Ignatof