Film as a bridge between the Balkans and Europe

The panel, which was organized within the framework of the “EU with you” campaign, which in Kosovo operates under the title “EU by your side” supported by the European Union through “WeBalkans”, focused on the opportunities that European programs, international co-productions and professional networks create for filmmakers, producers and professionals of the creative industries in the Western Balkans. The opportunities turn out to be quite numerous, as long as art remains the best storyteller. And the Balkans have something to tell

Culture as a space that connects societies, film as a tool to challenge borders, and European cooperation as an opportunity for the creative industry of the Western Balkans were at the center of the panel "Culture that Connects - European opportunities for the creative industries", held as part of the "CineLink Industry Days" program of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

The panel was organized within the framework of the "EU with you" campaign, which in Kosovo operates under the title "EU by your side" supported by the European Union through "WeBalkans", with a focus on the opportunities that European programs, international co-productions and professional networks create for filmmakers, producers and creative industry professionals in the Western Balkans.

Opening the panel, the European Union Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luigi Soreca, described Sarajevo during the festival days as an important European meeting point.

"Sarajevo becomes the center of Europe, at least, if not more," said Soreca, adding that what makes this week special is the way the festival transforms into a space to talk not only about film, but also about "culture, creativity, innovation and storytelling."

According to him, one of the main values ​​of the festival is precisely the opportunity to bring together professionals from across the region.

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"I am happy that, through the European Union and for you, we have been able to gather here in Sarajevo filmmakers, producers, creators, professionals and journalists from all over the Balkans," he said.
Soreca emphasized that film and culture have the ability to create communication where politics and borders often make it more difficult.
"Just by participating in this week, you understand how film and culture have a unique power to challenge prejudices and assumptions, to offer new perspectives, and to build real bridges across borders," the ambassador said.

Speaking about his previous experience as EU ambassador to Albania, Soreca also brought attention to European investments in culture. He said that during his mandate there, culture became one of the focal points of EU investments after the earthquake in Albania.

"We invested more than 60 million euros in the cultural sector," said Soreca. 

For producer and founder of "Vizart Film", Zoran Galic, film remains the most powerful medium for telling the stories of people and societies.

Speaking about his latest film, which premiered the night before, he emphasized that the author's responsibility is not only to tell a story, but to have the courage to tell it honestly.

"The responsibility is to truly be yourself, to express yourself in the best way possible, to be open to people listening to you, and to be brave," he said.

Galic also spoke about the complexity of storytelling in the Balkans, a space where the same event can have several versions and perspectives.

He also brought up a sentence that, as he said, a friend told him that “in Bosnia, every number can be divided by three.” This is precisely why, according to him, telling stories from different perspectives is important for culture.

"But telling stories from all sides and from everyone's perspective helps us all grow and develop through culture," Galiq said.

Film can also influence policy change.

For Ishak Jalimam, producer, founder of "Realstage Productions" and director of "CineLink Industry Days", cinematography is both "a gift and a curse", because of the power a story carries when it passes on screen.

"At that moment I realized that film, in addition to raising awareness, could also be an instrument to bring about change; a way to influence people who have power and who can change policies," he said.

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According to him, this is one of the reasons why film narratives should not only be seen as cultural products, but also as spaces for discussion on social issues and human rights.

Gender equality in the film industry was another topic on the panel. Producer and founder of This and That Productions, Snezhna van Houwelingen, stressed the need for the sector to work harder towards equal representation of women and men.

"It is very important that, as much as possible, we respect the 50-50 rule in our world," said the Serbian producer.

Van Houwelingen has highlighted the difficulties faced by women directors, especially when professional responsibilities intersect with family ones.

"If you just look at how rarely women directors have the opportunity to make their own films and what it takes to be a mother, direct films and develop projects, while also being a director, then this is quite challenging," she said.

According to her, change must start from educational institutions and film funds, but also from society as a whole.

"We need to create an environment around us where this is supported, starting with universities, film funds and, in general, the whole of society," said Van Houwelingen.

She also mentioned the importance of national funding systems, noting that international funds cannot fully compensate for the lack of a functional structure at the national level.

"We can get the best support from the media or film funds, but if we don't have a sound and functioning national system, we really can't do anything," she continued.

The panel also touched on the issue of sustainability and green policies in the audiovisual industry.
Montenegrin director, screenwriter and producer Ivan Marinović has said that the responsibility for changing industry practices should not be left to producers alone.

"We should not leave the entire burden of solving problems related to green policies to producers," said Marinovic.

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The “Culture that Connects” discussion took place in one of the main professional spaces of the Sarajevo Film Festival. “CineLink Industry Days”, the festival’s industry program, is oriented towards project development, co-productions, networking and creating opportunities for young and established film professionals.

The message of the “Culture that Connects” panel focused on the idea that cultural cooperation is not only an opportunity to produce more films, but also a way to create shared European spaces. As the panel moderator, digital creator Milan Iniq, put it, “Europe is built through stories, strong stories,” which serve as bridges that connect people. And the Sarajevo International Film Festival in its 32nd edition brings together many stories. Among them are two from Kosovo with Visar Morina’s “Shame and Money” and Blerta Basholli’s “Dua.”