The Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions team participated at the Sarajevo Film Festival’ 30th anniversary Edition during the Cinelink Industry Days. The yearly event serves as a central hub for film professionals in Southeast Europe and plays a vital role in fostering cinematic and series co-production in the region. 

Alex Traila, Programme Manager, has introduced the Programme to the Going European participants during their Sarajevo workshop and moderated two panel discussions: 

One panel discussion, titled “Navigating the Streaming Era: Independent Production and its Impact on European Financing”, delved into the evolving landscape of independent film production in the age of streaming platforms and their influence of European financing. As part of the panel : Olivier Henrard, Acting Chairman Chief Operating Officer, CNC (France), Chris Marcich, Chief Executive Officer, Croatian Audiovisual Center  (Croatia) and Ada Salomon, producer at  MicroFILM (Romania).

 The second panel discussion, “Uncovering the Drama Co-Production Landscape: Swedish Case Study, Early Days to Todays” explored the unique aspects of Sweden’s approached to drama co-production and its global positioning in this field : Kristina Börjeson, Head of Production, Film i Väst (Sweden), Maida Krak, producer at Yellowbird (Sweden), Peter Nadermann, producer at Nadcon Film (Germany) and Hanne Palmquist, Chief Executive Officer, Filmlance International AB (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Additionally, the Sarajevo Film Festival hosted a press event for the official entry pledge of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the Programme.

The Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Nikšić, signed a pledge and confirmed the country’s commitment to support independent co-productions through the Council of Europe’s Pilot Programme for Series Co-Production, enabling projects from Bosnia and Herzegovina to be supported under the Programme’s upcoming Calls for Projects and call for partnerships.

“I am confident that this initiative will create the necessary conditions for the creative minds of Bosnia and Herzegovina to more easily access funding. This will not only provide easier market access but also allow them to fully leverage their knowledge and talent”, stated Nermin Nikšić.

Bojana Urumova, Head of the Council of Europe’s Office in Sarajevo added that “Today, we celebrate the magic of storytelling. This co-production fund is precisely about that – the ability to spread captivating stories, of which this region has plenty. Through the fund, we support the diversity of stories and languages to be heard across Europe, including regional languages, which aligns perfectly with the Council of Europe’s mission.”

The entry of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the Programme will increase the number of contributors to 18 from 17 member States, following Norway’s confirmation to join as well.

The Pilot Programme of Series Co-Productions’ team took the opportunity to meet several projects to introduce the programme, explain its aims and to provide information to producers for a potential participation in the next 2025 Call for Projects.

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