Eliya Yordanova was born in Sofia on 9 March 2006. She is a 9th-grade student at the Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov Vocational High School of Ecology and Biotechnology in Sofia, studying Ecology and Environmental Protection. Eliya chose this specialisation because environmental protection and the fight against air, river and ocean pollution are among today’s most pressing issues, not only for Bulgaria but for every country in the world. "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children," says an old Native American proverb...
"That really is true, because my generation inherits serious environmental problems from older generations that have disrupted our planet’s ecological balance: climate change that is accelerating ever faster. I want to tell my peers that we can still help nature and, through that, ourselves, by leaving a cleaner, better world," says Eliya Yordanova with conviction.
What activities do you devote your free time to?
Eliya Yordanova: In my free time I practise aikido at Imeon Martial Arts Club with Sensei Hristo Mihaylov. Aikido is a sport created for Japanese emperors and samurai, and its name translates as "Harmony, energy in life". Interestingly, a few years ago the Japanese acknowledged that aikido’s philosophy and spirituality come from Bulgaria, something we can be proud of! At training, we learn to defend ourselves (aikido is not an aggressive sport; there are no punches and kicks as in karate, but the attacker’s energy is used against them), and we also work on our intellectual development.
How did your story with cinema and the Film Academy for Talents school begin? How did you hear about them?
Eliya Yordanova: I first read about the Academy for Talents, as our school was called then, on Facebook in 2019. They had announced auditions for the children’s reality show "I’m Becoming a Star". After talking to Mum, we decided I could try, and sent the form posted on the Academy’s page along with a few photos of me. I remember it was summer 2019, and I was delighted when they called to say I had been accepted for an in-person audition. The audition was in Sofia in November, and afterwards they called to say I had been chosen for the children’s reality show. We began acting training in February 2020, divided into 5 modules, each ending with the filming of an episode of "I’m Becoming a Star". I felt very happy when it began airing on YouTube. I wanted to continue acting, and to my delight the Academy called to say I would continue at the school in the advanced group. For everything I learned there, I’m grateful to our mentors Natalia Dukova and Tsvyatko Tsanov, who gave us their very best.
You filmed for "Monsters". Tell us more about that filming process.
Eliya Yordanova: Yes, I was chosen to play the childhood version of the lead character, played as an adult by Yana Marinova, a wonderful, genuine actress. We shot the scenes in an apartment, after which the filming of the key park scenes, where the main characters meet as children, was postponed repeatedly. The continual postponements eventually led to the filming being cancelled. It’s a shame, because the screenplay is not bad at all. On the contrary, it is very powerful and moving, thanks also to its author, Natalia Dukova. Right now I feel truly sad, because I was captivated by the story unfolding in the film.
Still, I will move forward, keep attending acting school and prepare to apply to Krastyo Sarafov NATFA, because that is my dream.
Do you see your future on the big screen?
Eliya Yordanova: Given the opportunity, I would appear in films about major historical events, Bulgaria’s history and great Bulgarian rulers, such as a film based on Fani Popova-Mutafova’s book "Kaloyan’s Daughter", whose story captivated me. I would also act in science-fiction films about conquering space and encounters with other civilisations that rule the universe.
I would also be interested in music videos and adverts promoting martial arts, especially aikido.
Did what you learned from the Film Academy team help you work in front of the camera? What was it, and how did it help?
Eliya Yordanova: Training at the Film Academy for Talents gave me a lot. It taught me to believe more in myself and my talent. For that, I’m grateful not only to Natalia Dukova and Tsvyatko Tsanov, but also to Stoyan Stoyanov, the Academy’s producer. If he and Hristo Hristov hadn’t embraced the idea of creating a screen acting school for children and adults, I wouldn’t have felt the powerful magic of acting.
What motivates you to keep going, and will you continue acting?
Eliya Yordanova: Despite the disappointment related to filming "Monsters", I will continue preparing to apply to NATFA. I know I will face more disappointments along the way, but that will make me stronger and more determined to prove I have real talent for film and theatre.
Do you think it is difficult to be an actress today?
Eliya Yordanova: It really is difficult to be an actor today because competition is fierce. You have to show you’re better than the others and choose the films you’re offered wisely, so that the character you embody moves viewers and stays in their minds.
I’d like to finish with Bryan Cranston’s words: "I don’t want my words about acting to sound pompous. I really don’t. Our work is discipline, endless repetition of the same thing, defeats, persistence, blind luck, boundless self-belief and dedication."
