National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts “Krustyo Sarafov”
Sofia, Bulgaria
Quick facts
- World rank
- Unranked
- Acceptance rate
- —
- Students
- 700
- International students
- —
- Institution type
- Public
- Founded
- 1948
Overview
The National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFIZ) “Krustyo Sarafov” is a specialized public university in Sofia, Bulgaria. Founded in 1948, it has trained generations of Bulgarian actors, directors, cinematographers, and stage designers. The academy features state-of-the-art facilities including a training drama theatre, a puppet theatre, a cinema hall, and professional recording and editing studios. NATFIZ is an active member of international organizations such as CILECT and ELIA, fostering global artistic exchange and collaboration.
Fields of study
- Acting
- Directing
- Cinematography
- Screenwriting
- Stage Design
- Theatre Studies
- Film Studies
- Puppetry
- Physical Theatre
- Photography
- Animation
- Screen Studies and Journalism
- Arts Management
- Choreography
Accreditation: National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) of the Republic of Bulgaria
Admissions requirements
- IELTS (minimum)
- —
- TOEFL iBT (minimum)
- —
- GPA (minimum)
- —
- Intakes
- September
- Application deadlines
- Usually in August or early September for the autumn intake.
- Rolling admissions
- No
Requirements differ between programs. Check the program page and the university's admissions office for the latest criteria.
Tuition & costs
International students
Varies by program
Domestic students
Varies by program
Published fees are for the 2021/2022 academic year. Bulgarian/EU students (state-funded): Bachelor BGN 1,800/year (BGN 900/semester), Master BGN 2,000/year (BGN 1,000/semester). Foreign students BA: EUR 4,000 (acting, theatre studies, movement theatre programmes) or EUR 6,000 (film/directing/cinematography/design programmes) per year. Foreign students MA: EUR 4,000 (Stage Arts Faculty) or EUR 6,000 (Screen Arts Faculty) per year. Bulgarian language course: EUR 3,000. PhD foreign students: EUR 8,000/year. International fees payable in BGN at BNB exchange rate. Application exam fee: BGN 50 per stage.
Tuition varies by program. Confirm with the university before applying.
Official fee source (opens in a new tab)Programs
| Program | Level | Duration | Tuition | Deadline | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL DESIGN (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| DRAMA THEATRE ACTING (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 4,000 / year | Varies | — |
| DRAMA THEATRE DIRECTING (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| FILM AND TV ARTS (opens in a new tab) | Master's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| FILM AND TV CINEMATORGRAPHY (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| FILM AND TV DIRECTING (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| FILM AND TV EDITING (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| PHOTOGRAPHY (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| PHYSICAL THEATRE (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 4,000 / year | Varies | — |
| PUPPET THEATRE ACTING (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 4,000 / year | Varies | — |
| PUPPET THEATRE DIRECTING (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| SCREEN ARTS MANAGEMENT (opens in a new tab) | Master's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| SCREEN STUDIES AND JOURNALISM (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 4,000 / year | Varies | — |
| STAGE AND SCREEN DESIGN (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 6,000 / year | Varies | — |
| STAGE ARTS MANAGEMENT (opens in a new tab) | Master's | — | BGN 4,000 / year | Varies | — |
| THEATRE ARTS (opens in a new tab) | Master's | — | BGN 4,000 / year | Varies | — |
| THEATRE STUDIES AND THEATRE MANAGEMENT (opens in a new tab)Full Time | Bachelor's | — | BGN 4,000 / year | Varies | — |
| Кинознание, киноизкуство и телевизия (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | €8,000 / year | Varies | — |
| Театрознание и театрално изкуство (opens in a new tab)Full Time | PhD | — | €8,000 / year | Varies | — |
Information last verified Oct 4, 2026. Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Fees, deadlines and requirements change — always confirm with the university.