Uniqa SEE Future Foundation has teamed with Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days to launch the Female Filmmakers Support Program, whose purpose is to boost the careers of women in the film industry in South-East Europe.
The program will operate in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania and Montenegro, but it is possible for women from other countries to apply, provided that they have a producer or co-producer from one of those countries.
The call for applications, which closes on Feb. 19, is open to female directors or co-directors and at least one other key associate (a screenwriter, director of photography, composer or editor) who identifies as a woman.
The program’s objectives are to develop and support women in the film industry in South-East Europe in the production of independent film, to increase the representation and diversity of women in the regional film industry, and to facilitate networking, skills development and funding opportunities for women in film.
The program will provide financial assistance for the production of female filmmakers’ projects, as well as to support the development of their careers through Sarajevo Film Festival’s CineLink Industry Training and Skills Program.
The program’s budget for the first year is Euros 150,000.
Adel Bahtanović, president of Uniqa in the South-East Europe region, said: “In addition to promoting diversity and advancing equality within the film industry, our goal is to inspire and empower young female filmmakers to follow their passions.
“The filmmaking industry holds immense power in shaping public opinion and influencing how we perceive the world. It’s crucial that we hear more stories told from a female point of view, as this not only enriches our understanding of life but also makes our experiences more meaningful and mindful.
“With this project, we want to encourage them to leverage their talents to educate, inform and share their unique perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and impactful world for all of us.”
Mirsad Purivatra, director of Slano Film Days, said: “Our long-term goal through Slano Film Days is to support the development of young talents’ careers in the region. In addition to our regular program, we have launched a one-month residency for project development, and, as a third step, in cooperation with Uniqa SEE Future Foundation, we created the Female Filmmakers Support Program, aimed at supporting female filmmakers in development and postproduction.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to promote women in the film industry and provide them with the financial and career development support.”
Jovan Marjanović, director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, said the program reflects the festival’s “commitment to advancing gender equality, both within the festival and in regional cinema. The festival serves as a key platform for initiatives shaping the film industry, with a clear vision of achieving gender balance and promoting diversity and inclusivity in cinematic art.”
The initiative was first presented at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival.
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