Nu Boyana Film Studios

Nu Boyana Film Studios is a film-production complex located in Sofia, Bulgaria. The facility originated as Boyana Film, a state-owned production center opened in 1962. During Bulgaria's communist period, Boyana Film served as the country's principal film-production location and operated during a period when Bulgarian cinema was particularly active. Its history therefore connects a national cinema institution with the later development of Bulgaria as a destination for internationally financed filmmaking. The complex changed ownership in 2005, when it was acquired by Nu Image and Millennium Films, independent film companies associated with Hollywood production. The acquisition shifted the site's role toward servicing international productions while retaining its physical and technical base in Sofia. Nu Boyana now presents itself as a production destination rather than only as a conventional studio brand: its services include sound-stage access, location and set work, production support, and post-production facilities. The studio occupies approximately 30 hectares, or about 75 acres, and includes 10 sound stages. Its standing sets are a major part of its appeal. They include environments representing New York, London, a Middle Eastern street, St. Paul's Cathedral, and a large ancient-world setting containing a Roman colosseum. These permanent or semi-permanent environments allow productions to create contrasting geographical and historical settings within one production complex, reducing the need to build every environment from scratch or move between distant locations. Nu Boyana has been associated with a range of film and television work, including productions requiring period settings, large-scale action environments, or internationally oriented production infrastructure. Reference material identifies television projects such as Spartacus, Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire, Plebs, The Aliens, Barbarians Rising, Section Zero, Doctor Who, Stolen Life, Absentia, Bromans, The Outpost, and Into the Night among productions serviced or filmed at the studio. These credits illustrate the facility's use across scripted drama, historical programming, comedy, science fiction, and other television formats, although the available reference does not specify the exact scope of the studio's contribution to each title. From 2020, the company expanded its regional footprint through Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic SA, establishing production studios in Thermi, Greece. This development extended the Nu Boyana operating model beyond Bulgaria and positioned the brand within a broader southeastern European production-services network. The studio also undertook a humanitarian initiative after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Nu Boyana organized transport for refugees crossing from Ukraine into Moldova and onward to Bulgaria. Its chief executive, Yariv Lerner, publicly invited people in the film industry who needed assistance or work to contact the studio. The initiative linked the company's production identity with practical support for displaced film-industry workers and other refugees. Nu Boyana's present positioning is that of an international production hub built on Bulgarian studio infrastructure, extensive standing sets, and access to the wider southeastern European region. Its public profile is based primarily on facilities and production services rather than on consumer-facing entertainment products.

Nu Boyana Film Studios traces its institutional origins to Boyana Film, a Bulgarian film complex opened in Sofia in 1962. During the communist period, the facility was state-owned and functioned as the principal location for film production in Bulgaria. It operated during a period described in reference material as the peak of Bulgarian cinema, making the complex an important part of the country's national film infrastructure. A major transition occurred in 2005, when the complex was purchased by Nu Image and Millennium Films, described in the reference material as long-running independent film companies in Hollywood. Under the Nu Boyana identity, the Sofia site developed a stronger orientation toward international production servicing. Rather than functioning solely as a domestic film studio, it became a base where foreign productions could use Bulgarian crews, facilities, stages, standing sets, and post-production resources. The complex covers approximately 30 hectares and contains 10 sound stages. Its built environments include sets evoking New York, London, a Middle Eastern street, St. Paul's Cathedral, and an extensive ancient-world setting with a Roman colosseum. These sets support productions ranging from contemporary urban stories to historical and fantasy projects. The studio's recorded television associations include Spartacus, Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire, Plebs, The Aliens, Barbarians Rising, Section Zero, Doctor Who, Stolen Life, Absentia, Bromans, The Outpost, and Into the Night. The available source identifies these titles as productions serviced at or associated with the studio but does not provide a project-by-project breakdown of facilities used. In 2020, Nu Boyana established Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic SA, with production studios in Thermi, Greece. The Greek operation broadened the brand's regional presence and reinforced its role as a southeastern European production-services platform. The studio also became involved in humanitarian support after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It organized transport for refugees traveling from the Ukrainian border through Moldova to Bulgaria. Yariv Lerner, identified as the company's chief executive, additionally invited people working in the film industry who needed safety or employment to seek assistance from the studio. This initiative was a notable extension of the company's public role beyond filmmaking. Today, Nu Boyana is best understood as a production facility and service brand. Its competitive proposition rests on a large Sofia complex, multiple sound stages, extensive standing sets, international production experience, and a regional network that includes Greece. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate consumer product line, stock-market listing, or independently reported financial profile.

• 2022

  Refugee-support program organized

  [1]Nu Boyana Film Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The studio provides transport assistance to refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and offers support to displaced film-industry workers.

• 2020

  Greek studio operation established

  [1]Nu Boyana Film Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic SA is established with production studios in Thermi, Greece.

• 2005

  Ownership passes to Nu Image and Millennium Films

  [1]Nu Boyana Film Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The formerly state-owned complex is acquired by Nu Image and Millennium Films, beginning its modern international production-services phase.

• 1962

  Boyana Film complex opens

  [1]Nu Boyana Film Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The film-production complex in Sofia opens and becomes part of Bulgaria's state film infrastructure.

An international film-production destination combining Bulgarian studio infrastructure, large standing sets, production services, and post-production capabilities.

• Studio infrastructure

  Sound stages

  Nu Boyana's Sofia complex includes 10 sound stages for film and television production. The stages form the core of the facility's studio offering and can be used alongside the site's standing sets and wider production-support infrastructure. The available reference does not specify individual stage sizes, technical specifications, or rental terms.

• Production locations

  Standing sets and backlot environments

  The studio provides a large collection of built environments, including representations of New York, London, a Middle Eastern street, St. Paul's Cathedral, and an ancient-world setting with a Roman colosseum. These locations support contemporary, historical, fantasy, and action productions without requiring every environment to be newly constructed.

• Film production services

  Production and post-production services

  Nu Boyana operates as a production-services facility for international projects, offering access to stages, sets, production support, and post-production capabilities in Bulgaria. The studio's publicly cited television and film associations indicate use across multiple genres, although the reference material does not enumerate the precise services delivered for each project.

• Regional studio network · 2020

  Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic

  Established in 2020, Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic SA provides the brand with a production-studio presence in Thermi, Greece. It extends the company's regional footprint beyond its original Sofia complex.

• 2022Support program for Ukrainian refugees

  Bulgaria · Moldova · Ukraine

  Nu Boyana arranged vehicles to collect refugees crossing from Ukraine into Moldova and transport them to Bulgaria. The initiative also invited film-industry professionals affected by the war to seek assistance and possible work.

  Outcome. The program provided transport and publicly communicated support for displaced people, particularly those connected with the film industry.

  Source

• 2020

  Expand the studio network into GreeceStrategy

  Background

  The company sought to extend its regional production presence beyond the Sofia complex.

  Action taken

  Nu Boyana established Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic SA with production studios in Thermi, Greece.

  Aftermath

  The brand gained a second identified production location in southeastern Europe.

  Source

• 2005

  Acquire and reposition the Boyana Film complexM&A

  Background

  The Sofia complex had operated as a state-owned Bulgarian film facility since its opening in 1962.

  Action taken

  Nu Image and Millennium Films purchased the complex and developed it under the Nu Boyana Film Studios identity.

  Aftermath

  The facility became more strongly oriented toward international film and television production services while retaining its Bulgarian base.

  Source

• 2022

  Nu Boyana launches support program for Ukrainian refugees[1]Nu Boyana Film Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Nu Boyana Film Studios arranged vehicles to collect refugees crossing the Ukrainian border into Moldova and transport them to Bulgaria. CEO Yariv Lerner also offered assistance and potential work to people from the film industry affected by the conflict.

• 2020

  Nu Boyana expands into Greece through Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic[1]Nu Boyana Film Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The company established Nu Boyana Film Studios Hellenic SA and opened a production-studio presence in Thermi, Greece, extending its regional operating footprint beyond Bulgaria.

1. 1Nu Boyana Film Studiosen.wikipedia.org