Bosnia and Herzegovina Joins European Series Co-production Pilot at 30th Sarajevo Film Festival
During the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival, Bosnia and Herzegovina marked a significant milestone by joining the Council of Europe’s pilot program for series co-production. The agreement, signed on August 21, 2024, enables Bosnian filmmakers to participate in European drama series co-productions, opening doors to new funding sources and international collaboration opportunities.
Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating that it would facilitate access to funding for local filmmakers, allowing them to better harness their creativity and talent. He noted that the Federation has allocated 4.7 million KM to film production this year alone.
Launched in 2023, the Council of Europe’s pilot program aims to support independent producers and foster the creation of new audiovisual works. The program is managed by Eurimages and currently has the backing of 16 institutions from 15 member countries, including Belgium, Croatia, and Spain. Bojana Urumova, a representative of the Council of Europe in Sarajevo, highlighted the importance of storytelling diversity, particularly in regional languages, as a key objective of the program.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s inclusion in this initiative will allow its producers to submit proposals for upcoming funding cycles. The program has already supported 17 European series co-productions with a total of 6.5 million euros.
The development of television series in Bosnia and Herzegovina has accelerated in recent years, partly due to initiatives like the BH Content Lab program by BH Telecom. Amel Kovačević, General Manager of BH Telecom, emphasized the company’s ongoing investment of 30 million KM in local cinema and noted that 8 projects are now eligible to apply for the Council of Europe’s co-production funding.
The signing of this agreement is expected to strengthen connections between Bosnian producers and their counterparts in other member states, enhancing the visibility of Bosnian content on a European scale.
The Sarajevo Film Festival, a long-standing supporter of Bosnian cinema, played a pivotal role in facilitating this agreement. Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Festival, underscored the impact of recent initiatives on the local industry, noting a 400% increase in production and full employment in the sector.
As Bosnia and Herzegovina begins this new chapter, the agreement is seen as a crucial step in ensuring sustainable financing for future productions, while also deepening the country’s integration into the European audiovisual landscape.