Angel Toshev (born 11 July 1960 in Sofia, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian film director, cinematographer, and producer known for his feature films and extensive work in television and documentary production.
Early life and education
Toshev was born on 11 July 1960 in Sofia, Bulgaria. He graduated from VITIS "Krastyo Sarafov," Bulgaria's premier national film school, where he studied both film and television directing and cinematography.[1] He specialized further at the New York Film Academy in the United States, broadening his international experience in filmmaking.[2]
As a student, Toshev received recognition for his work, winning a student "Oscar" award at a London film festival for a course project, establishing early recognition of his directorial talent.
Career
Feature films
Toshev directed several notable feature films that achieved significant success in Bulgarian cinema. His debut feature Pantudi (1993) was a major commercial success, attracting 1.4 million viewers in Bulgaria.[3] The film featured prominent Bulgarian actors including Georgi Kaloyanchev, Stoyanka Mutafova, Vladislav Karamfilov, Pavel Popandov, Georgi Rusev, Nikola Rudarov, and Konstantin Kotsev.
Toshev subsequently directed other feature films including Kamera Zavesa (Camera Curtain), featuring actors Todor Kolev, Anya Pencheva, Hristo Garbov, and Nikola Rudarov; Velosipedistyt (The Cyclist); and Odin den v Oklahoma City (One Day in Oklahoma City).
Television and documentary work
Toshev served as a leading director at BNT (Bulgarian National Television), where he directed numerous television programs including Counterpoints (Kontrapunkti), From Screen to Screen (Ot ekrana za ekrana), Super Chenge, Vladi's Cocktails (Koktejlite na Vladi), and New Year programs.[4] Beyond television, he has directed over 180 documentaries, educational films, and other productions in Bulgaria and internationally.
International work
Expanding his career internationally, Toshev has worked on productions in the United States. He directed a film for Cisco Systems, one of the world's largest software companies based in Silicon Valley.[5] He also created educational feature films for major American universities including Oklahoma City University, University of Nebraska Kearney Lincoln, and University of Tiel Pennsylvania. His work at these institutions earned him honorary recognition from each university.[6]
Production company
Toshev is the owner and director of Film Card (film studio & advertising agency), a film studio and advertising agency founded in 1989 that specializes in producing films across all genres.
Awards and recognition
Toshev has received numerous recognitions throughout his career:
- Student "Oscar" from a London film festival for course work
- Golden Rose award for cinematography at the Varna Film Festival for Pantudi[7]
- Honorary Professor Doctor titles from three American universities: Oklahoma City University, University of Nebraska Kearney Lincoln, and University of Tiel Pennsylvania
Professional memberships
Toshev is an active member of several professional organizations:
- Bulgarian Film Workers Union
- Bulgarian Journalists Union
- World Journalists Union
Filmography
Toshev's filmography includes numerous feature films, television productions, and documentaries produced across Bulgaria and the United States, spanning from 1989 to the present.
See also
- Cinema of Bulgaria
- Bulgarian National Television
- New York Film Academy
References
- "National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts "Krastyo Sarafov"". NATFIZ Official. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- "New York Film Academy". NYFA Official. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- "Pantudi (1993)". IMDb. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- "Bulgarian National Television". BNT Official. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- "Cisco Systems". Cisco Official. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- "Oklahoma City University". Oklahoma City University Official. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- "Golden Rose Festival Varna". Official Golden Rose. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 2026-06-03.