The Sarajevo Film Festival is one of the best examples of how Creative Europe, the largest European Union programme for the development of the audio-visual and creative sector, supports the strengthening and growth of these industries, the development of talent and creativity, as well as the strengthening of European identity, culture and values. Marking the long-term successful cooperation between Creative Europe and Sarajevo Film Festival, the EU Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina organizes a series of activities to highlight these strong ties and the importance of the Festival for cultural cooperation, connecting talents and strengthening the local economy.
“I have met so many inspiring people in Bosnia and Herzegovina whose talent and creativity transcend all boundaries, affecting people all over the world. In a country so rich in history, diversity and talent, programs such as Creative Europe make perfect sense and are of the utmost benefit to BiH citizens and cultural institutions. Culture is an important part of the identity and values of the European Union, contributing to the strengthening of cultural heritage and the development of the cultural and creative sectors throughout Europe and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Ambassador Johann Sattler, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative to BiH, who is participating in the following days in numerous festival events and joins the Young European Ambassadors on 12 August at a panel discussion dedicated to the regional cooperation of young people in the Western Balkans together with young artists and creatives from the region.
The importance of youth networking, shared values and the exchange of experiences will also be discussed within the traditional CineLink Industry days of SFF, which this year brings together 13 young professionals from BiH, Greece, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Serbia and Turkey under the leadership of the award-winning Romanian producer Anamaria Antoci.
The European Union has significantly increased the budget of the Creative Europe program for the next cycle from 1.47 billion to 2.44 billion euro for the period 2021-2027, which opens up more opportunities for the film industry, culture and art. Thousands of talented artists across Europe and BiH will be able to reach a new audience and promote cultural and linguistic diversity. Also, Creative Europe enables the creation of new jobs and the strengthening of the economy.
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 5.5 million euro have been approved through international cooperation projects and projects implemented in BiH. The participation of organizations 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 organizations.
During the Sarajevo Film Festival, 14-16 August, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., an info stand of the Desk of Creative Europe in BiH will be presented at Hotel Europe, which will offer information about this program of the European Union to all interested visitors. The role of the Creative Europe Desk in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to promote the program through active cooperation and direct applicants to prepare high-quality project proposals.
