As part of the EU’s ongoing support for the most significant film festival in the Western Balkans, the European Union Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina has opened the doors of Europe House in the heart of Sarajevo to the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) as a hub for networking and a number of activities.
The programme at Europe House will include the important ‘Dealing with the Past’ SFF programme, which engages young people from the Western Balkans in critical discussions about history and reconciliation, bringing together young people with local and regional youth organisations.
Moreover, a special feature of this year’s festival is a screening of a local animated film, “Gaia” (2024) by Nermin Hamzagić and Enis Čišić on Wednesday 21 August. The film addresses the urgent issues of environmental protection and health hazards in Sarajevo, highlighting the role of the film industry in advocating for sustainable practices and the health of future generations. The screening will be followed by a discussion.
Creative Europe funds have been available to the creative and cultural sector in BiH since 2014. So far, more than a hundred projects have been supported for which more than 4.4 million euro have been approved through international cooperation projects and projects implemented in BiH. The participation of organisations and cultural institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina has been increasing over the years, and the recipients of funds, in addition to the SFF, include OKC Abrašević from Mostar, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the RS from Banja Luka, the Center for Culture Trebinje, Studio Theater Zenica, Center for Education and Culture Academy from Čapljina and numerous production houses and other cultural institutions and organisations.
An info stand of the Creative Europe BiH Desk will be presented at Europe House on 18 August to provide information about this EU programme to all interested visitors and future applicants. The role of the Creative Europe Desk in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to promote the programme through active cooperation and direct applicants to prepare high-quality project proposals. Information about open calls and participation in this programme of the European Union is available on the website of the Creative Europe BiH Desk: https://kreativna-europa.ba/
Creative Europe remains one of the key EU funds to support the film industry, culture and art, in particular with the increased budget for the current cycle 2021 – 2027 enabling thousands of talented artists and organisations to reach new audiences. Also, Creative Europe enables the creation of new jobs and the strengthening of the economy.
