CinEast Screening: In Hell with Ivo

With: Director Kristina Nikolova (online Q&A) 

Framework: CinEast Film Festival 

Language: Bulgarian and English (English Subtitles)

Max. attendance: 128 

Tickets: Book your place

IN HELL WITH IVO

Bulgaria, United States 2025 

Director: Kristina Nikolova 

Original language: Bulgarian 

Subtitles: English 

Length: 80 min.

Sometimes Ivo wears dresses and wigs; sometimes camouflage and a skinhead. The constantly-evolving, queer singer, songwriter and painter provokes and captivates audiences in his home country of Bulgaria. We follow Ivo as he entertains people with his high-pitched voice during the pandemic and responds to hostility with an infectious optimism.

After its last edition welcomed more than 11,000 participants, the CinEast Film Festival in Luxembourg returns this year for its 19th edition with a rich, colourful and refined selection of the best recent films from Central and Eastern Europe. From 9 to 25 October 2026, the festival will put a special focus on Bulgaria, presenting the thematic cycle “Crossroads” through a selection of films and a photo exhibition. The programme will also feature several premieres of high-profile films and Luxembourg co-productions.

Audiences will have the opportunity to discover more than 65 feature films and 40 short films, with over 100 screenings at venues across Luxembourg, including Ciné Utopia, Cercle Cité, Neimënster and Kinepolis Kirchberg. Around 40 international guests will also attend the festival, meeting audiences during Q&As and ciné-debates exploring a variety of themes.

A selection of films will also be available online, allowing you to enjoy the festival beyond the cinema venues. 

The screenings will be complemented by a diverse programme of events, including concerts ranging from Balkan music to jazz, exhibitions, themed evenings, screenings for children and teenagers, and gastronomic events. 

Biography

Raised in Bulgaria, Kristina Nikolova moved to the USA to study economics and film. She now works there as a director, producer and cinematographer. Her upcoming documentary PROJCET CETI explores AI and the language of whales.