Five Female Filmmakers From South-East Europe to Get Financial Support

The Uniqa South-East Europe Future Foundation, in cooperation with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days, has selected five film projects as part of the Female Filmmakers Support Programme. The selection was announced at Slano Film Days.

The initiative supports women filmmakers from six South-East European countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania and Bulgaria. The initiative, launched last year, has a total of Euros 180,000 in funding for this year.

The program was created to “strengthen the presence and visibility of women in the regional film industry,” offering financial support, mentorship and opportunities for professional development. Selected participants have access to Sarajevo Film Festival’s CineLink Industry Days through its Industry Training and Skills Program.

Selected projects are:
“The Possessed” (feature)
Director: Ena Sendijarević (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Production: SCCA/pro.ba (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Studio Ruba (the Netherlands)

“Air in a Bottle” (feature)
Director: Aida Begić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Production: This and That Productions (Serbia)

“Embryo” (feature)
Director: Maša Šarović (Montenegro)
Production: KINO d.o.o. (Montenegro)

“The Last Nomads” (documentary)
Director: Biljana Tutorov (Serbia)
Production: Wake Up Films (Serbia)

“Confessions of a Female Gamer” (documentary)
Director: Dolya Gavanski
Production: Agitprop (Bulgaria), Thea Films (Bulgaria)

Jovan Marjanović, director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, said: “Through this partnership with Uniqa and their newly established foundation, which is dedicated to supporting art, sports, and now film, we are able to act strategically and address – and hopefully correct – some of the systemic imbalances in film funding. In particular, this initiative will provide dedicated support to films and projects predominantly created by women authors.”

Mirsad Purivatra, director of Slano Film Days, said: “From the very beginning, Slano Film Days was imagined as a place where new voices could be heard and supported. This program is a natural extension of that vision: shining a spotlight on women filmmakers whose work challenges, inspires, and moves us. By backing their creative journeys, we’re helping shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for cinema in our region.”