As part of the European Union’s ongoing support for the most significant film festival in the Western Balkans, the European Union Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina has opened the doors of Europe House in the heart of Sarajevo to the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) as a hub for networking and a number of activities.
Europe House will welcome the Talents Sarajevo programme, the first regional training programme for emerging film professionals in Southeast Europe, launched in 2006 through a partnership between the SFF and the Berlin International Film Festival and co-financed by the EU. The programme brings together 50 promising filmmakers, offering skills-building, networking opportunities and international exposure. Through intensive group and individual sessions, participants gain valuable knowledge and insight into the film industry world.
“The Sarajevo Film Festival is a powerful symbol of cultural resilience and artistic excellence in the region. The EU, through Creative Europe programme, is proud to support the festival that not only celebrates cinema but also empowers young filmmakers and strengthens connections across Europe. Investing in youth and culture is investing in our shared future,” said Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative in BiH.
The events at Europe House will also include the ‘Dealing with the Past’ programme, which engages young people from the Western Balkans in critical discussions about history and reconciliation, bringing together young people from local and regional youth organisations.
Creative Europe funds have been available to the creative and cultural sector in BiH since 2014. So far, more than a hundred projects have been supported for which more than 13 million euro have been approved through international cooperation projects and projects implemented in BiH. The participation of organisations and cultural institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina has been increasing over the years, and the recipients of funds, in addition to the SFF, include OKC Abrašević from Mostar, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the RS from Banja Luka, the Center for Culture Trebinje, Studio Theater Zenica, Center for Education and Culture Academy from Čapljina and numerous production houses and other cultural institutions and organisations.
On 18 and 19 August, from 10.30 to 17.00 all interested individuals and organisations will have the opportunity to visit the Creative Europe BiH Desk info stand at the SFF festival square and gain information about this important programme for strengthening culture and creative sectors. The role of the Creative Europe Desk in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to promote the programme through active cooperation and direct applicants to prepare high-quality project proposals. Information about open calls and participation in this programme of the European Union is available on the website of the Creative Europe BiH Desk: https://kreativna-europa.ba/
Creative Europe remains one of the key EU funds to support the film industry, culture and art, in particular with the increased budget for the current cycle 2021 – 2027 of 2.24 billion euro (from previously 1.47 billion euro) enabling thousands of talented artists and organisations to reach new audiences, consequently enabling the creation of new jobs and the strengthening of the economy.