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Exhibition and co-production in the borderless world to be discussed at Sarajevo Film Festival

Does public funding of co-productions have a future in the digital borderless world? And what is the story behind the creative new ways that Southeast Europe is tackling the challenges in cinema exhibition? These two topics are in focus at the European Film Forum, which Sarajevo Film Festival's Regional Forum will be hosting on August 20-21.

The Regional Forum is Sarajevo Film Festival's annual industry conference that brings together key film professionals from the region and the rest of Europe, from both the private and public sectors. Now in its 7th year, the Regional Forum presents two major events: the European Film Forum - an initiative from the European Commission - on August 20-21, and the previously announced Council of Europe conference on gender equality on August 14.

At the European Film Forum, experts from the region and the rest of Europe will be looking closer at the recent exciting developments in the Southeast European cinema sector, and on co-production across the borders in a borderless digital film world.

Jovan Marjanovic, Head of Industry, Sarajevo Film Festival:

"This year 's topics are of major relevance for Southeast Europe - developing the cinema experience and cooperating across the borders are both crucial for a healthy exhibition sector and a dynamic film production here. But the same goes for the European level. So we're very happy to host the European Film Forum, as we believe looking at these shared challenges from a local, regional and pan-European angle simultaneously will give valuable new insights, and help find the creative new ideas that will lead the way forward."

Programme

Thursday, August 20, 11:00 – 13:00

Cinema exhibition sector: opportunities and challenges in Southeast Europe

The cinema exhibition sector in Southeast Europe is getting exciting. It is increasingly multiplexing, has a growing arthouse community, is experimenting with event cinema and has experienced several occupy cinema movements. Can it catch up with the more developed parts of the continent? Does the audience have an appetite for more? Where does it stand in the value chain of European films and where could it be in the future?

Introduction: Dag Asbjornsen, European Commission

Speakers include: Christof Papousek, Cineplexx; Claudia Droc, Europa Cinemas; Hrvoje Laurenta, Kino Europa Zagreb; Mina Đukić, Kino Zvezda Beograd; Giovanni Dolci, IMAX; Jan Runge, CEO, UNIC

Moderated by: Tina Hajon, independent expert

Friday August 21, 11:00 - 13:00

Public funding for coproductions: cooperating better across the borders in the borderless digital world

The ever-changing landscape of European film coproduction is opening up to territories across the world willing to coproduce in the European way. Meanwhile, the very notion of territoriality on which the system is based, is under pressure from global industry players and legislators alike. Which legal or financial instruments can public and private bodies which support national film industries use to work together better under the circumstances?

Speakers include: Marten Rabarts, Eye Institute Netherlands; Robert Balinski, Polish Film Institute; Ellis Driessen, Netherlands Film Fund; Tamara Tatishvili, Georgian National Film Center, Andre Lange, independent expert; Hrvoje Hribar, Croatian Audiovisual Center

Moderated by: Jovan Marjanović, Sarajevo Film Festival

The Forum takes place in Conference Hall of Hotel Europe, Sarajevo.

The European Film Forum is an initiative from the European Commission, and is a platform designed to create a structured dialogue between the policy makers and the stakeholders in the audiovisual sector. It takes place at a few selected film festivals, of which Sarajevo is one.

Screen International, a long-term partner of the Forum, is publishing a special report and statistics supplement in connection with the conference, which can be downloaded here.

The Regional Forum is arranged with support from Creative Europe MEDIA Programme, British Council and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo Film Festival's industry section is the major hub for regional film professionals and has the past 10 years played a crucial role in the development of regional co-production. It has also become a key destination for professionals from across Europe who search for talent and co-production possibilities, or simply wish to get in-depth knowledge on the development of this dynamic region.

With CineLink, Regional Forum, Industry Terrace and Avant-premiers, Docu Rough Cut Boutique, Talents Sarajevo, Sarajevo City of Film Fund and Minimarket, Sarajevo Film Festival's industry offer includes activities for people from all spheres of the business, and for filmmakers in all stages of their career.