News
Czech Republic and Slovakia Partner Countries at 2016 CineLink Industry Days
A strong delegation of 26 Czech and Slovak film professionals will be in Sarajevo for four busy days to build ties with Southeast European colleagues.
Since its start more than a decade ago, the CineLink Partner Country Initative has helped lay the foundation for long-term collaborations between Southeast Europe and the rest of the continent. This year, 26 Czech and Slovak producers, distributors, TV broadcasters and other film professionals will spend four busy days at the CineLink Industry Days meeting with their Southeast European counterparts.
Alexandra Strelková, Head of Film Promotion, Slovak Film Institute
“Regional collaboration is very important. So are personal contacts and continuous professional exchange. Building upon close relations with the Sarajevo Film Festival, we are happy and eager to introduce a representative group of Slovak filmmakers and industry professionals to their regional counterparts and to the broad spectrum of international film industry attending this highly established platform, and aim to strengthen the ties with tangible results in the near future.”
Markéta Šantrochová, Head of Czech Film Center:
“I am truly glad and proud we are partnering with the CineLink Industry Days this year. Co-production between the Czech Republic and the regions of Southeast Europe is very desirable and also logical, in part due to our common historical experience. Firm ties already exist with Slovenia and Romania. CineLink presents very interesting projects and it will be great to help building new creative connections.”
Amra Bakšić Čamo, Head of CineLink:
“The Partner Country initiative helps build contacts between all the corners of Europe and brings valuable networking opportunities, fresh ideas and new collaborations to both our region and the guest countries. It is a pleasure to welcome our Czech and Slovak colleagues this year. We look forward to gaining new insight into their dynamic industries and strong service production sectors, and to showing them all that our region has to offer.”
The Partner country focus is arranged in collaboration with:
- Czech Film Center, with the support of Creative Europe Desk Czech Republic - MEDIA
- Slovak Film Institute, with the support of the Slovak Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic
Previous partner countries: Poland (2015), UK (2014), Germany (2013), France (2012), Switzerland (2011), Israel (2010), Sweden (2009), Ireland (2008), Cine Regio (2007), The Netherlands (2006), Germany (2005), Austria (2004).
The Sarajevo Film Festival's industry section, CineLink Industry Days is a major hub for the Southeast European film industry and a key destination for film professionals from across Europe. Our vision is to serve the current needs of the film business in Southeast Europe as well as to shape its future. We welcome almost 1,000 participants annually and offer activities for all spheres of the business through our interlinked sections: CineLink Co-Production Market, CineLink Work in Progress, CineLink Drama, Regional Forum, Docu Rough Cut Boutique, True Stories Market, Talents Sarajevo Pack & Pitch and Avant Premiers. Everything in one place; everything connected.
The CineLink Co-Production Market and CineLink Work-in-Progress have an impressive track record of projects going on to major international recognition, among them Son of Saul by Laszlo Nemes (Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film; Grand Prix at Cannes 2016), Harmony Lessons by Emir Baigazin (Silver Bear, Berlinale 2013), Mold by Ali Aydın (Lion of the Future, Venice Film Festival 2012), Honey by Semih Kaplanoglu (Golden Bear, Berlinale 2010).