ACTING MASTERCLASS

with The Hollywood Star Gary Stretch and Dessy Tenekedjieva
2026

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Georgi Markov

SPECIAL GUEST MENTOR
Body & Movement Workshop
Kosta Karakashyan
Director, Choreographer

GUEST LECTURER
Elizabeth Kormanova

AWARD
An opportunity to participate in an international film production


Let’s meet in person!
You are special!
Change Your Destiny! by August 20

The Masterclass will merge the unique methods and philosophies of two strong individuals and internationally acclaimed actors and producers — Gary Stretch and Dessy Tenekedjieva. The two have worked in partnership for several years and will offer a fresh and exciting approach to working with film, TV, and theatre material. Gary and Dessy believe that while there are fundamental acting principles and globally recognized techniques, each artist should be trained individually to develop their own method and approach to building a character. Gary Stretch will share his extensive experience based on the teachings of Janet Alhanti, whom he met as a young actor in Los Angeles. They became close friends, and he studied with her for over 25 years.
Janet Alhanti is one of the most respected acting coaches in cinema history. A student of the legendary Sanford Meisner, she developed her own method over the years. Her students include some of Hollywood’s biggest stars such as Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando, Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Salma Hayek, Sean Penn, Natasha Henstridge, and many others.

Due to the tremendous success of the previous Masterclass editions in the past years, Gary Stretch and Dessy Tenekedjieva have decided to continue working both with returning students and new applicants. The sessions will take place throughout the year – once a week, either live or online, depending on whether the mentors are in Bulgaria.

In summer 2026, we’re thrilled to hold our intensive MASTERCLASS once again in a magical atmosphere. We are excited to invite you to spend seven fantastic days at one of Europe’s most unique five-star spa resorts - SPA Hotel Orpheus!
We thank the owners for their generous partnership and friendship!

We will combine our intensive Acting Masterclass with eco-tourism, spa, health, beauty, and joy!
Our exclusive offer for our selected students includes:

• Intensive Acting Masterclass;
• Meditation and psycho-physical techniques;
• 7 nights in a double room with pool and SPA access;
• Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner);
• ECO tourism (Eco trail, Paradise Splash waterfall, Yagodin Cave, Devil's Throat, Trigrad Gorge);
• Special guests

The Stoyan Kambarev Foundation will cover:

• 3 full scholarships for selected students
• 4 partial scholarships for young actors with financial difficulties
• 40% scholarships for all other Bulgarian participants

August 24- 31, 2026

SPA Hotel Orpheus, Devin, Bulgaria

1. Applications must be submitted online via www.kambarev.org — the official website of the "Stoyan Kambarev" Foundation, partner of NOVA film.
2. English language proficiency is required, as the Masterclass will be conducted in English.
3. A maximum of 20 participants will be selected personally by Gary Stretch and Dessy Tenekedjieva.
4. No fee is required to apply.
5. After selection, the participation fee for the summer intensive Masterclass is 1000 Euro, including accommodation and meals.
6. The Foundation will cover the full cost for 3 participants, partial scholarships for four more, based on financial need declared in the application and 40% scholarships for all other Bulgarian participants
7. All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
8. Participants will have the unique opportunity to be noticed by the mentors and casting directors and potentially be cast in future projects.
9. Participants must be ready to work and abstain from alcohol or intoxicating substances during the program.
10. Any absences must be coordinated with the Project Manager Maria Ivanova.
11. Sessions will be filmed. By applying, participants consent to being featured in future promotional materials (TV reports, short films, social media videos, etc.).
12. The Masterclass is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria.
13. Official partners: Stoyan Kambarev Foundation and SPA Hotel Orpheus Devin.

We invite everyone aged 16+ who is professionally involved in film, theatre, or performing arts.
We also welcome complete newcomers — we believe talent knows no age or boundaries and are eager to discover and develop new voices. We welcome everyone who lives life with passion!

1. Visit www.kambarev.org - the official website of the “Stoyan Kambarev” Foundation, partner of NOVA Film. Click on MasterClass on the homepage.
2. Fill out the application form.
3. Submit a short CV in English (up to 200 words).
4. Submit a private video (YouTube or Vimeo) in English — max 60 seconds — introducing yourself and your motivation to join.
5. Optionally, include a showreel or audiovisual work you’ve participated in (as actor, director, or performer).
6. By applying, you agree to the terms and conditions and to the processing of your personal data by the Foundation and NOVA film.

Selections will be made by Gary Stretch and Dessy Tenekedjieva.
We are looking for motivated individuals with passion and ambition to develop in acting. The strength of your video presentation will be a deciding factor. Previous work will also be considered as a bonus, though not a requirement.

Selected candidates will be notified by August 20.

Gary rose to international fame as a British boxing champion, with 29 wins and only one loss. Spotted by major fashion agencies, he modelled for brands like Calvin Klein and Versace. At 28, he left boxing at his peak to study acting seriously in Los Angeles. He has starred in over 30 films. In 2004, he gained critical acclaim for his role as the psychotic gangster Sonny in Dead Man’s Shoes  by Shane Meadows, earning a BIFA nomination. He went on to star in several Oliver Stone films, including Alexander alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins, Colin Farrell, and Angelina Jolie.< br/> Gary has also produced and directed Through My Father’s Eyes: The Ronda Rousey Story (Lionsgate), which won Best Documentary at Crystal Palace Film Festival and was acquired by Netflix.
He has worked with Nicolas Cage, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Sir Christopher Lee, and more.
He is Executive producer and co-star of the fantasy thriller Devil’s Play (fka The Wheels of Heaven), directed by Ben Charles Edwards and produced by Dessy Tenekedjieva, co-starring Mickey Rourke, Geoff Bell, and several renowned Bulgarian actors.

See a segment about Gary.

Dessy Tenekedjieva began her film career at the age of 14 and has since appeared in over 35 films, including major international productions, earning numerous awards and nominations. In 2000, she founded NOVA Film, followed by Black Sea Film, through which she has produced over 200 creative projects for the international market—spanning feature films, documentaries, short films, television programs, commercials, music videos, and albums. Dessy's critically acclaimed films have been showcased at the most prestigious global cinema forums and festivals.
She was the first Bulgarian actress to represent her country in the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival with a leading role - as Maria de Medici - in Il Mestiere delle Armi, directed by the legendary Ermanno Olmi and nominated for the Palme d'Or. Dessy has starred alongside international icons such as Gérard Depardieu and Ron Perlman, and most recently took one of the leading role in Devil’s Play, directed by Ben Charles Edwards, appearing opposite Mickey Rourke, Gary Stretch, and Geoff Bell. As both producer and actress, Dessy has received multiple international awards for the film. A passionate advocate for emerging talent, she cast two young Bulgarian actors, Eleonora Ivanova and Dimitar Nikolov, in the leading roles. In 2008, she founded the Stoyan Kambarev Art Foundation, dedicated to supporting young artists across disciplines. In 2019, she established THE 355 FILM AWARD  to champion the next generation of filmmakers, producing numerous short films and nurturing young Bulgarian talent. Beyond cinema, Dessy has served as the official spokesperson and face of global brands including Jean Paul Gaultier and Suzuki. She currently resides in London.

See a news segment about Dessy.

Kosta Karakashyan is a director and choreographer, and the recipient of the Multitalent Award at the Stoyan Kambarev Foundation’s Flight in Art Awards. His work spans film, theatre, choreography, and immersive performance. He is the founder of the production company Studio Karakashyan and dance company Karakashyan & Artists. The Columbia Spectator described him as "an important voice for LGBTQ+ struggles in Chechnya and elsewhere." He has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe and Friends of Europe as one of the European Young Leaders (EYL40). In 2024 he participated in Berlinale Talents and became a member of the European Film Academy. His work has been featured by NOWNESS, The New Yorker, The Guardian and ELLE and has been presented across the United States, Canada, Germany, Norway, Egypt, Vietnam and Japan. He graduated from Columbia University in New York and the Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice. From 2023 to 2024 he served as one of Bulgaria’s two Youth Delegates to the United Nations. His directing credits include They (Cinedans Festival), a real boy (NOWNESS Picks), In Her Skin, SURRENDER (Sofia International Film Festival), Supersexual and Glance from the Edge. His documentary dance film WAITING FOR COLOR won the Prix Lumière at Cinédanse Ottawa 2019 and Best Student Film at IMZ + dancescreen 2019 and was selected by more than 30 international film festivals. As a choreographer and movement director he has collaborated with Rita Ora, Years & Years, Sigala, MNEK, Porter Robinson and Sherihan.

This year’s special guest is Elizabeth Kormanova — a prominent film lawyer and producer with an impressive international career.

Elizabeth studied law at the Sorbonne, Paris and film production at La Fémis. She began producing with the short film Lifelong, which premiered at San Sebastián Film Festival. For six years, she was Director of Business Affairs at London based Hanway Films (founded by Oscar-winner Jeremy Thomas). She handled the financial closing of films such as "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" by Yorgos Lanthimos (Best Screenplay at Cannes 2017) and "Pinocchio" by Matteo Garrone (2 Oscar nominations, 2 Golden Globes nominations).
Currently, Elizabeth is the head of the Business Affairs team of London-based Film & TV studio Rocket Science, financing and producing feature films, including "Living" by Oliver Hermanus (2 Oscar nominations, 9 BIFA nominations), “Crimes of the Future" by David Cronenberg (Cannes Official Selection 2022), "May December" by Todd Haynes (Cannes Official Selection 2023), "The Apprentice" (Cannes Official Selection 2024).

Maria Ivanova

Project Manager

+359889719490

maria@novafilm.eu