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Bosnia and Herzegovina Joins Council of Europe’s Pilot Program for Series Co-production at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival

A landmark document marking Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the Council of Europe’s pilot program for the co-production of European drama series, implemented by Eurimages, was signed today, August 21, during the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival.

This significant step is set to facilitate access to international co-productions and additional funding sources for Bosnian filmmakers.

“I am confident that this initiative will create the necessary conditions for the creative minds of Bosnia and Herzegovina to more easily access funding. This will not only provide easier market access but also allow them to fully leverage their knowledge and talent,” stated Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also highlighted that the Federation allocated 4.7 million KM for film production this year.

The Council of Europe launched the pilot program for series co-productions in 2023 to strengthen independent producers and encourage the creation of new audiovisual works. Eurimages administers the program, which is financed through voluntary contributions from institutions in member countries. Currently, 16 institutions from 15 member countries (Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain) support the program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina to this pilot program,” said Bojana Urumova, a representative of the Council of Europe in Sarajevo. “Today, we celebrate the magic of storytelling. This co-production fund is precisely about that – the ability to spread captivating stories, of which this region has plenty. Through the fund, we support the diversity of stories and languages to be heard across Europe, including regional languages, which aligns perfectly with the Council of Europe’s mission.”

To date, two cycles of public calls for independent producers have been completed, supporting 17 European international series co-productions with a total of 6.5 million euros. Producers from Bosnia and Herzegovina will now be able to participate in future calls.

Television series production in Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen a marked increase in recent years, largely due to the BH Content Lab program by BH Telecom.

“Over the past three years, BH Telecom has invested and will continue to invest 30 million KM in Bosnian cinema. We’ve seen the fruits of this labor in recent days, with television series produced through BH Content Lab receiving numerous awards. However, to ensure sustainable series financing, this next step is crucial, granting Bosnia and Herzegovina access to European funds,” said Amel Kovačević, General Manager of BH Telecom, adding that the BH Content Lab fund still has 5.6 million KM available, with 8 projects eligible to apply for the Council of Europe’s Pilot Program for Series Co-production.

The signed agreement will not only open up additional financing opportunities for Bosnian producers but also facilitate connections with producers from other member states of this pilot program.

“We look forward to the projects from Bosnian producers and their partners, such as BH Telecom. We can’t wait to see your applications,” said Alex Traila, Program Manager for the Council of Europe’s Pilot Program for Series Co-production.

To enable producers to apply and connect with their European counterparts, the first steps must be taken at home. Hence, it is crucial that local institutions continue to support the film industry.

“This year, we have allocated a record 2.5 million KM for the development of cinematography. We recognize that cinematography is a leading ‘happiness factory,’ involving a large number of young people, and we acknowledge its importance. This agreement is a great incentive for us to further increase investments in our creatives,” stated Kenan Magoda, Minister of Culture and Sports of the Sarajevo Canton.

Saša Magazinović, Chairman of the Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, echoed these sentiments.

“This is a great example of how to leverage membership in international organizations. Just imagine what potential future membership in the European Union could bring us,” Magazinović said.

The signing of the agreement during the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival is no coincidence. For 30 years, the Festival has been supporting Bosnian cinematography and, in recent years, has opened doors for TV series, enhancing their visibility and market opportunities.

“The Sarajevo Film Festival is a place where numerous initiatives related to the film industry have come to life,” said Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival. “Thanks to BH Telecom, we’ve seen a 400% increase in production and full employment in the sector in recent years. Of course, the market is constantly changing, and new funding avenues need to be explored. This agreement enables just that.”

The Council of Europe’s Pilot Program for Series Co-production offers additional support aimed at assisting the financing of co-productions between independent TV series producers in the final stages of production. The support amounts to 250,000 or 500,000 euros per project and is intended for series with a maximum of 10 episodes.