The White Gold of Anchialo” is a documentary about the salt pans in Anchialos (present-day Pomorie, Bulgaria), which transports us to the sunlit world of sea salt. The story in the film flies through the centuries, from the creation of the salt pans thousands of years ago and reaches their fate in our days – the Salt Museum in Pomorie. It is the only museum in Eastern Europe specialized in the production of salt through solar evaporation of seawater using ancient Anchialos technology. Based on scientific facts and research, as well as ancient legends, the film emphasizes human nostalgia for the past, mixed with a touch of hope for the future.
Regissørbiografi
Zhivko Zidarov is a 17-year-old Bulgarian, born in Limassol, Cyprus. In 2022 he returns to his home country. His first two short films (The White Gold of Anchialo and The Observed) are award-winning and have been screened at many film festivals around the world. He is set to graduate in 2026, and he intends to study at a university in Europe, majoring in filmmaking. The short films, presentations, and essays he has created have won many national and international awards. The topics he touches on in his works are significant and diverse – about ecology, the obstacles faced by modern youth (such as doomscrolling), about love for the Motherland, art, achievements in science, about the will and strength that a person needs to achieve their dreams. In addition to art, Zhivko is actively involved in sports as middle blocker at Dobrudja 07 volleball club (U20).
He is also interested in science. In 2024, as part of the "Manager for a Day" initiative of JA Bulgaria, he acted for a day as a Director of the GATE Institute at Sofia University. In 2025, Zhivko participated with a presentation at the XII National Chemical Conference "Chemistry for Building a Decarbonized Society". He has won numerous awards from prestigious national scientific competitions. Participates in various programs and projects - "Innovations in Action"; Climate connect, Erasmus + Program in Madrid; in the project "Earth and We", with an award for a film about nature conservation; in the National Student Philosophical Conference, 2024.
In 2025, Zhivko was selected as a semi-finalist in the "Arts" category of the 20 under 20 ranking in Bulgaria, which recognizes exceptional young leaders, innovators and creators under 20 who are changing the future today.
