December 10, 2025

Belgrade has been selected as one of Europe’s top five filming locations in the running for the EUFCN Location Award 2025, the most prestigious European recognition for exceptional filming locations and outstanding collaboration with international productions. This year’s nomination comes thanks to the US series The Librarians: The Next Chapter, brought to life in Serbia by the production company Balkanic Media. It marks an important achievement that reinforces Belgrade’s growing presence on both the European and global film map.

The series brought major international visibility to the city, showcasing some of its most iconic sites, including Kalemegdan Fortress, Military Museum, National Theatre, Zvezdara Observatory, and the pedestrian area around Knez Mihailova Street. In the show, Belgrade appears as a vibrant intersection of magical, mythical realms and contemporary urban life, while elements of Serbian folklore play a key role in the narrative of this popular American franchise.

“This nomination is a great recognition that film destinations are not spontaneous phenomena, but the result of a persistent partnership between the local film community and the trust of foreign partners. In achieving this goal, the cooperation of institutions, both city and republic, to constantly support film productions, strategically, logistically and financially, is of crucial importance”, said Milica Božanić from the Serbian Film Commission.

The jury selecting the winner among Belgrade, Figueira da Foz (Portugal), Inari (Lapland, Finland), La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain), and Sangerhausen (Germany) consists of five acclaimed professionals from the European and global screen industries: Alessandro Bonino (Production Supervisor, Wildside), Andrea Keener (Location Manager), Gail McQuillan (Head of TV Production, Blueprint Pictures), Sue Quinn (Supervising Location Manager), and Caroline von Kühn (Executive Director, Oxbelly). While they choose the official winner, the public can also cast their votes online for the EUFCN Audience Location Award 2025.

The production of The Librarians: The Next Chapter engaged a wide range of Serbian film professionals, including actors, technicians, set designers, and costume departments, once again demonstrating that Serbia offers a competitive, reliable, and creative film industry capable of supporting demanding international projects.

“After producing dozens of shows with Dean Devlin and Electric Entertainment in Serbia, Librarians: The Next Chapter presented us with an exceptional creative opportunity, as it engaged local creatives, from actors to cinematography, costumes and designers, integrating local talent into the core of the creative process and story telling. It strengthened the collaboration between city authorities and cultural institutions, demonstrating the mutual benefits of showcasing exceptional city locations on a truly international show”, says Jonathan English of Balkanic Media.

Those who wish to support Belgrade in securing the title can vote via LINK.

Voting is open until January 30, 2026, and the winner of the EUFCN Location Award 2025 will be announced in February 2026 during the EFM/Berlinale.

Serbia Film Commission is launching a new program for education of young creatives through a series of modular, hands-on trainings focused on acquiring contemporary skills in motion capture, digital character creation, immersive sound and virtual environments. These skills are applicable not only in film and video games, but are increasingly becoming part of modern production in theatre, concerts, exhibitions and immersive experiences.

Led by the Ložionica team and in partnership with Centroid London, the Creative Engine project is opening call for applicants to young creative producers, actors, directors, sound designers, and 3D generalists to participate in a program of short collaborative trainings through the production of immersive content. Carefully designed workshops, developed in partnership with the expert team of Matteriya Talent Development, combine artistic expression with cutting-edge technology, enabling young creatives to build careers in a sector that increasingly relies on virtual production, MetaHuman(s), and real-time rendering.

Within a series of five educational modules, participants will have the opportunity to gain practical skills in motion capture acting, digital character creation, immersive sound design, and digital twinning in Unreal Engine. All skills and tools provided to young creatives can be implemented in contemporary theatre, music, dance performances, exhibitions and live events. The goal of the project is to enrich the regional creative and cultural production landscape with new digital tools and support career development in innovative stage and audiovisual projects.

Open calls for applications:

• Intro to Immersive & Hybrid Event Production Pipelines open until December 21st

• The MoCap-Ready Performance Techniques open until December 21st

INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION
We invite production companies, SFC members, as well as all organizations and professionals from the film, audiovisual and performing arts sectors to follow the project’s activities and engage in stakeholder initiatives that will provide deeper insight into the practical development of these skills. The project will actively connect creative talents with production processes, offering opportunities for knowledge exchange and the development of new, innovative creative practices.

Creative Engine is supported by the British Council WB-UK Creative Skills Development Fund which enables partnerships between the Western Balkans and the UK. This initiative, part of the British Council’s Creative Economy Programme, supports the creative industries as strategic economic sectors with transformative potential,  with a specific focus on empowering youth skills and employment.

Belgrade, November 4th, 2025

The new 10-episode series Robin Hood. directed by Jonathan English and created alongside John Glenn – premiered this Sunday, November 2nd, on MGM+, offering a fresh take on the legendary English outlaw.

The story is set in 12th-century England and follows Rob, the Saxon forester’s son, and Marian, daughter of a Norman lord, as they navigate the Norman rule and societal injustice. The adaptation places greater emphasis on cultural conflict (Saxons vs Normans) and gives more agency to female characters than many past versions. 

While the series has been praised for its visual ambition, historical detail and character depth, what distinguishes this effort is the series’ complete production in Serbia, making full use of its diverse landscapes and studio infrastructure. The forests of Fruška Gora doubled as the mythical Sherwood Forest, while scenes at the Mlava River captured the dynamic carriage ambush. In the mountainous region around Rudnik, the production built the Saxon estate of Locksley Manor, Rob’s family home before the Norman conquest. At PFI Studios in Šimanovci, near Belgrade, designers constructed elaborate interior sets — from the medieval Nottingham square to detailed replicas of Westminster Palace and a gothic cathedral, built entirely from scratch to reflect twelfth-century England.

Production designers Jovana Cvetković and Jelena Sopić led the visual world-building. “Since the period we’re depicting has no surviving structures, all the sets were built from scratch and the forest scenes were carefully chosen from preserved locations,” explained Cvetković. Her colleague Sopić added: “It was wonderful to see how sketches, which only yesterday were papers on office walls, became walls and ten-metre-high facades.” Their collaboration with more than 200 Serbian crew members — from carpenters and set decorators to costume artists — was central to creating the show’s visual identity.

According to the producers, Serbia offered both the landscapes and the technical capacity needed to recreate the look and atmosphere of medieval England. “The professionalism of the local crews made a significant difference”, says Jonathan English. Beyond the screen, the production invested in local infrastructure, renovating the community centre in the village of Varnice, which was also used for several location shoots.

The cast features Jack Patten as Rob, the Saxon forester’s son who rises to lead the outlaws, and Lauren McQueen as Marian, the daughter of a Norman lord caught between loyalty and conscience. Sean Bean portrays the calculating Sheriff of Nottingham, while Connie Nielsen takes on the role of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Among Serbian actors Jelena Gavrilović plays forest goddess Godda, Tamara Radovanović supports the court intrigues as lady in waiting, and Miloš Timotijević is Egbert, one of the Saxon knights.

Balancing historical realism with cinematic storytelling, Robin Hood combines large-scale production design with emotional depth and strong performances. With its debut now streaming on MGM+, the series not only brings new life to a centuries-old legend but also underlines Serbia’s position as a capable and versatile destination for international film and television production.

Main photo credits: Andrew Timms for MGM+

Photo credits: MGM+, Darko Vojinović & Aleksandar Letić

Belgrade, September 16th, 2025

Serbia Film Commission is pleased to announce the expansion of its membership within the creative sector of film production. Our newest member is Kostimografia, a Belgrade-based costume design and rental house for film, television and theatre, led by acclaimed costume designer Ivana Vasić.

Kostimografia builds its work on a combination of craftsmanship and modern production practices, offering innovative solutions for demanding projects. Ivana Vasić and her team have been credited for years for their work on TV series filmed in Serbia. By connecting Serbian film and theatre creativity directly with the Peris network, this collaboration represents an important step in strengthening the capacities of the local audiovisual industry.

This news is particularly significant for the Serbian film industry as Kostimografia has also been appointed the exclusive representative of Peris Costumes in Serbia - one of the oldest and most renowned costume houses worldwide.

Founded in 1856 in Spain, Peris Costumes has grown from a tailoring workshop into a prestigious international network with over 15 million costumes spanning all historical eras. Their headquarters in Madrid covers 30.000 m² and the company is present in 22 countries worldwide, now including Belgrade through Kostimografia’s membership in the group.

The partnership brings major advantages to the Serbian market: access to an exceptionally rich and diverse costume collection for film, television and theatre projects. It also enables large-scale international productions to be supported directly from Serbia, with Kostimografia providing local expertise and knowledge of the domestic and regional industry.                                                                                                                  

August 28, 2025

The first episode of “The Librarians: The Next Chapter” premiered in the United States on May 25, 2025, on TNT as the #1 new cable original drama season premiere of 2025. Created on the popularity of the Librarians franchise, which originally aired from 2014 to 2018, as well as the 3 Librarian Movies before that, the series is returning to a loyal global fanbase with its mix of adventure, magic, and mystery. It brings fresh characters into the Belgrade setting expanding the world of The Librarians with new stories, while staying true to the spirit of the original.

The new cast is headlined by Callum McGowan as Vikram Chamberlain, a time-traveling Librarian from the 19th century who returns to his castle in Belgrade, Serbia, only to discover it has been turned into a museum. His return accidentally releases magic across the continent, and the team helping him clean up the mess includes Jessica Green as Charlie Cornwall, a disciplined Guardian-in-training, Olivia Morris as Lysa Pascal, a brilliant polymath, and Bluey Robinson as Connor Green, a historian and parkour expert. Christian Kane, returning from the original series, makes a special appearance as Jacob Stone.

“The Librarians: The Next Chapter” takes viewers on an exciting adventure that unfolds in and around the historic fortress of Kalemegdan, the grandeur of St. Mark’s Church, bustling pedestrian Knez Mihailova street, alongside striking landmarks like the Zvezdara Observatory, the elegant White Palace (Beli dvor), and the legendary Blue Train (Plavi voz). Belgrade’s charm and character are fully integrated into the narrative, giving the series an authentic European flair. The inside of the Library was filmed at PFI Studios, designed by the imaginative creative duo Jovana Cvetković and Jelena Šopić.

Dean Devlin serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan-Wilson of Electric Entertainment. Gary Rosen, Kate Rorick and Tom MacRae are also executive producers. Noah Wyle serves as producer. Brandon Lambdin, Mark Franco of Electric Entertainment and Jonathan English of Balkanic Media also produce.

Serbia’s capacity to support large-scale international productions is evidenced by the significant contributions Serbian crews have made across art direction, makeup, stunts, and camera departments on multiple Electric Entertainment series.

The costumes were created entirely by Ivana Vasić and her team, whose ongoing collaboration with Electric Entertainment reflects the trust and quality built through previous successful projects.

The collaboration between local talent and the American production team has resulted in a visually rich and artistically ambitious series. By setting the story within the city itself, “The Librarians: The Next Chapter”  goes beyond the typical use of Serbia as a “background” location, instead positioning Belgrade as an integral character in the series. Young directors like Sandra Mitrović, Milan Todorović, Milena Grujić, Nemanja Ćipranić, and Milan Konjević helped shape the artistic vision of several episodes.

“The Librarians: The Next Chapter” is a unique show with a large global fan base, so every detail is critically important. Serbia contributed with excellent locations and most importantly, Belgrade, which is the home of the Library in the series; it’s the first time a US network TV series has been set in Belgrade. Serbia is an exceptional place for the TV and film industry with diverse locations, great film professionals and first class facilities such as PFI Studios. Also, there are incentives from the Ministry of Culture that changed the game, because of which Serbia is now a highly valued filming destination and production partner. From my experience (including more than dozen projects in Serbia so far), shooting a high profile series as The Librarians: The Next Chapter is yet another example of how Serbia’s film industry continues to grow.”, said Producer Jonathan English.

From the perspective of a Film Commission, this project comes as a creative pinnacle. Milica Božanić, Executive Director of the Serbia Film Commission says:

“It is a real delight to watch the streets of Belgrade in a contemporary fantasy-filled show, with lots of VFX and CG works. Electric Entertainment has proven to be a true partner and creative powerhouse, embracing local culture and crafting stories with tropes of Serbian supernatural folklore. This is a truly admirable collaboration between Electric and Balkanic. I believe that this exciting series will resonate with audiences, and that it will also influence future productions to consider Serbia as a filming location.”

Production recently wrapped on the second season of “The Librarians: The Next Chapter”, promising to bring even more exciting stories very soon.

Photo Credits: Electric Entertainment / Aleksandar Letić

July 22, 2025

Film industry in Serbia continues to evolve across all aspects of production. This month, the first association of certified intimacy coordinators in the Balkans, BLKN Intimacy and Mental Health Coordinators, has been officially registered.

This initiative comes as a response to the growing need for a professionally guided and safe approach to filming scenes that involve intimate or psychologically sensitive content. The role of intimacy coordinators has already been standardized in many countries, where their presence has become a required part of the production process-particularly on projects for international studios and streaming platforms. With both foreign productions filming in Serbia and local productions striving to elevate standards on set, the demand for this position is steadily increasing. The establishment of the association will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of this kind of support within the audiovisual industry.

The goal of the newly formed association is to provide support to all participants in the process: to help actors feel safe, to enable directors to fully realize their creative vision, and to assist productions in being efficient and protected from potential legal and reputational risks.

The association was established as an initiative of the psychological organization TAUS, with whom we published an interview last year discussing the role of intimacy coordinators on film sets, exploring the importance of this profession and the first professional training program for intimacy coordinators organized in Serbia.

The founding of BLKN Intimacy and MH Coordinators marks a concrete step toward the implementation of those principles in practice. We invite productions and film professionals across the region to collaborate on projects in Serbia and beyond, and to join in the education and dissemination of practical knowledge related to this role and its integration into production teams. Serbia Film Commission welcomes this initiative as a valuable step toward improving and developing production practices. 

March 13th, 2025

We are getting ready for another exciting edition of CGA Belgrade, taking place on April 10-11, 2025, at the Yugoslav Film Archive! This leading regional conference dedicated to computer graphics and digital arts will bring together industry professionals and enthusiasts for inspiring and technical talks, panels and masterclasses.

The program will be centered around lectures on post-production trends, exclusive premieres of new games, films, and animations, presentations of cutting-edge technologies, and discussions on the state of the industry, heavily influenced by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Special focus will be placed on the transformative impact of AI, as well as on young creatives who are pushing the boundaries with their innovative approaches.

The first day of the conference will feature key debates on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, shaping the future of visual communications in advertising. The second day will shift focus to visual effects in film and video game development, with expert talks and analyses of the latest industry projects.

One of the most exciting segments of the program will be the two-hour masterclasses, offering hands-on learning opportunities and deeper insights into industry standards. Participants will explore the Fortnite ecosystem as a digital platform for global brands, master on-set motion capture techniques, refine combat game design mechanics, gain insights into VFX in the Niagara system, and develop business negotiation skills for artists.

A major novelty in this year’s edition is the “Boardroom” discussions, designed as roundtable sessions where industry leaders from various sectors will share insights on emerging topics such as brand marketing in the metaverse, legal and security challenges of AI technologies, open-source formats, and the evolving roles of VFX producers and DP.

CGA Belgrade will also serve as a meeting point for leading companies showcasing their projects from a technological perspective. Among the participants are Nebius (AI video creation), Wonder Dynamics, Woodblock, V House Animation (Agent 023), Golaem (history of crowd systems), Archangel Studio (Bleak Faith: Forsaken) and Onyx Studio (South of Midnight).

A special part of the program will be Creative Moxie, a platform showcasing authors from Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia, whose games and animated series have achieved international success. Additionally, young Fortnite and Minecraft creators will demonstrate how a multidisciplinary approach is shaping a new vision for digital storytelling. This segment is supported by the British Council and is part of the Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans project, funded by the European Union.

Full program and tickets for CGA Belgrade 2025 are available at cgabelgrade.com. The conference is organised by Serbia Film Commission and Materriya Talent and Community Development, supported by leading industry companies, including Autodesk, Foundry, Nebius, SideFX, Unity, Lenovo, Epson, as well as renowned studios such as DAT, Sperasoft, Take One, Centroid, Crater Studio, Represent and many more.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this prestigious event and join industry leaders this April!

December 4, 2024

The legendary tale of Robin Hood is being retold on an epic scale, with Lionsgate Television and MGM+ joining forces for a bold new drama series set to begin production in Serbia this February. Created by Jonathan English (Ironclad, The Ark) and John Glenn (SEAL Team, Eagle Eye), the 10-episode first season will reimagine the classic outlaw story with historical authenticity and psychological depth.

Serbia’s Gornji Milanovac and its surrounding regions, including the scenic village of Varnice, will serve as the main filming locations, with additional work at PFI Studios in Šimanovci. The production will run through July, with Varnice transformed into Sherwood Forest and hosting over 200 cast and crew. As part of its commitment to the local community, Balkanic Media, which is producing, will renovate the Varnice community center—a significant investment in the area.

“Robin Hood is a global brand and a story we’ve been obsessed with since our youth. Bringing it back to life has been a dream come true. Serbia’s landscapes offer a unique blend of natural beauty and versatility,” said Jonathan English, who also directs the series. “These locations perfectly capture the rugged charm of medieval England.”

The series follows Rob, a Saxon forester’s son, and Marian, the daughter of a Norman lord, as they fight royal corruption and strive to bring peace to England in the wake of the Norman invasion. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of rebellion, with Rob rising as the leader of the famed outlaws and Marian infiltrating the court’s inner circle.

Serbia, already a hub for international productions, continues to attract major players with its film-friendly policies and diverse locations. Gornji Milanovac’s mayor, Dejan Kovačević, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s impact: “This production not only promotes our region globally but also leaves a lasting legacy through local investments. Hosting Robin Hood is a tremendous opportunity for Gornji Milanovac.”

With a release planned for later in 2025 on MGM+ and internationally in markets like the UK, Italy and Spain, Robin Hood promises to reignite the legend for a new generation. 

Belgrade, November 26th, 2024 — Creative Moxie: Catalyst for Creative Revolution, has officially launched to address critical challenges within the creative communities of Serbia and Montenegro. Creative Moxie is supported by the British Council and implemented as part of the Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans project, funded by the European Union.

This cooperation is spearheaded by the Serbia Film Commission, Belgrade Youth Center (Dom omladine Beograda) and Art 365 from Podgorica, who have recognized a pressing need to support and uplift the regional creative ecosystems. In response, Creative Moxie focuses on empowering underrepresented groups, particularly young professionals and women, who face significant barriers to entering the industry and visibility of their works. 

By jointly collaborating on three key events – CGA Belgrade Conference (SFC), Martovski Festival (DOB), and CIM Forum (Art 365), this project plans to enhance the content of these events, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences in organizing various festivals and conferences, and strengthen the regional creative ecosystem associated with film and screen media. 

As the most significant conference in the region dedicated to computer graphics, animation, and visual effects, CGA Belgrade will serve as a key platform for Creative Moxie. Through panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference will connect young professionals and creatives with industry experts, providing them with the tools, visibility, and support they need to advance. 

All activities within the project aim to foster a more cohesive and encouraging environment for creatives in Serbia and Montenegro. In this way, Creative Moxie directly engages the creative community through exchange of their festival programming, artistic practices and support to institutional collaboration between various stakeholders in the creative community. 

The project Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs), funded by the European Union, is focused on fostering dialogue in the region by strengthening the cultural and creative sectors, with the aim of increasing their socio-economic impact. Over a period of 48 months, this project aims to enhance knowledge, skills, and access to financial support to boost competitiveness, sustain co-production, and promote the flow of goods and services in the Western Balkans region.