Bear with Me is a 2026 Bulgarian documentary film co-written and directed by Martin Genovski. The film tells the story of the retired circus trainer Maxy, who lives with her last living bear Natasha in a parking lot near Amsterdam.
It held its world premiere at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival on 18 August 2026, screening in the Competition Programme – Documentary Film 2026, and competed for the Heart of Sarajevo award.
Summary The film's story is a touching look at love, loyalty, questions about animal treatment, and the fading of a whole era.
Maxy Niedermeyer, an 80-year-old German-born Jewish woman who survived World War II and once starred in the circus, now lives in a parking lot near Amsterdam with Natasha, her last remaining bear. She grew up in a circus family and began performing with wild animals at an age of 11 in the former East Germany, continuing for sixty years. But when society began rejecting animal acts, her career and way of life fell apart. Today, Natasha is the only family Maxy has left, and the only reason she still has somewhere to live.
Cast Maxy Niedermeyer Natasha the Bear Marcello Martino Bilyana Kirilov Kiril Kirilov Robert Kruijff Dragomir Draganov Martina Troanska as the young Maxy
Release
Bear with Me had its World Premiere at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, where it competed for Heart of Sarajevo award in the Competition Programme – Documentary Film 2026 on 18 August 2026.
The film was acquired by German broadcaster ZDF/Arte for its prestigious prime-time documentary strand Grand Format in August 2026.
Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Sarajevo Film Festival 21 August 2026 Heart of Sarajevo Award for Best Documentary Film Bear with Me
References
External links