The Dreamed Adventure Wins Gold Hugo in Chicago
The international co-production takes top honors at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Foreign
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The film The Dreamed Adventure, an international co-production between Germany, France, Bulgaria and Austria, won the Gold Hugo for Best Film at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival. Additionally, Yana Radeva was awarded the Silver Hugo for Best Lead Performance for her role in the project.
Why it matters
The win solidifies the film’s critical acclaim following its success at the Cannes Film Festival, where it previously secured the Jury Prize. It is now set to represent Bulgaria in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
The festival featured 113 feature films and 57 shorts from 60 participating countries. The event included four world premieres, 15 North American premieres, and 21 US premieres.
The players
Yana Radeva
She is the lead actress in The Dreamed Adventure who received the Silver Hugo for Best Lead Performance at the festival.
Chicago International Film Festival
Founded in 1964, this annual event is a long-standing institution for showcasing international cinema in the United States.
The details
The Dreamed Adventure, which was shot in Svilengrad during the summer of 2024, features a cast composed entirely of non-professional Bulgarian actors. The film follows a tradition of regional realism, echoing themes explored in director Valeska Grisebach's 2017 film Western.
Timeline
The 62nd Chicago International Film Festival took place from October 14 to 25, 2026.
The Dreamed Adventure was filmed in Svilengrad during the summer of 2024.
Valeska Grisebach directed the film Western in Bulgaria in 2017.
Industry Dynamics
The film follows a pattern set by the 2017 film Western by utilizing authentic regional settings and non-professional acting talent in Bulgaria. This success highlights the increasing visibility of international co-productions within the global festival circuit.
As the Bulgarian entry for the 99th Academy Awards, the film will likely see a broader distribution rollout in independent theaters and streaming platforms. Interested viewers should monitor local art-house listings for upcoming limited release dates.
The takeaway
The success of this production demonstrates that international co-productions with non-professional casts can achieve significant global recognition. Film enthusiasts can follow the Bulgarian Oscar entry’s progress as it moves through the Academy Awards qualifying cycle.
Further reading
Discover more international cinema highlights in the Foreign section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Българска Телеграфна Агенция.
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