UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation and Sarajevo Film Festival launch support programme for female filmmakers in Southeast Europe
The UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation has teamed up with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days to launch the "Female Filmmakers Support Programme" (FFSP), a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower women in Southeast Europe’s film industry. The programme was unveiled during the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival and is slated to run for the next two years with a total funding allocation of EUR 150,000 annually.
This initiative aims to enhance gender diversity and representation in the regional film sector by supporting women filmmakers from six countries: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, and Montenegro. However, filmmakers from other countries can also apply if their project includes a producer or co-producer from one of these focus nations.
The FFSP provides not only financial assistance for film production but also career development opportunities through the CineLink Industry Training and Skills Programme. Its objectives include bolstering the independent film sector, fostering networking, and promoting the inclusion of women’s voices in cinema.
Adel Bahtanović, President of UNIQA SEE region, emphasized the societal impact of the initiative. “The filmmaking industry holds immense power in shaping public opinion. With this project, we want to encourage female filmmakers to leverage their talents to educate, inform, and share unique perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and impactful world.”
Mirsad Purivatra, director of Slano Film Days, highlighted the programme’s alignment with their mission. “We’ve designed a one-month residency for project development and partnered with UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation to create this programme. Our aim is to support female filmmakers in development and postproduction, reflecting our commitment to talent promotion in the region.”
Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, noted the festival’s long-standing dedication to gender equality and inclusivity. “The Female Filmmakers Support Programme reflects the Sarajevo Film Festival’s commitment to advancing gender equality, both within the Festival and in regional cinema,” he stated.
Applications are open to female directors or co-directors and at least one other key crew member identifying as a woman. By encouraging collaborations with producers and co-producers from Southeast Europe, the programme seeks to promote regional and international partnerships, further strengthening the regional film industry’s ties to global trends.
The application deadline is 19 February 2025, and submissions can be made via the official website of the Female Filmmakers Support Programme.
For additional information and application details, visit: https://www.uniqa-ffsp.com/