November 8, 2016

After the General Assembly Meeting and re-election of the Board Members in June the new-old Board of Directors appointed Marko Jocic as the new President of the Board and the Serbia Film Commission. Jocic is a well-established film producer known for some of the iconic Serbian comedies and dramas who recently line produced international features such as Korean biopic The Tenor and Ironclad 2: Battle for Blood. Jocic’s Viktorija Film is a prolific production company focusing on development of genre projects and new audiences. During a one year mandate his vice president will be Bogdan Petkovic from Emote Production, who serviced numerous Scandinavian and Russian advertising projects, Cannes Lions award winning campaign for Red Cross in 2015 and number of feature films such as Belgrade Phantom, The Newcomer with Anthony LaPaglia and James Floyd, and most recent documentary Juvenile.

Jocic and Petkovic are succeeding Barbara Sandic Stetic from PFI Studios and Tea Korolija from LeSpot. At the same time the executive office of Serbia Film Commission is announcing the change with Milica Bozanic taking over the Executive Director role. Milica served as operations manager since the very establishment of SFC and is representing Serbia in the European Film Commissions Network Board of Directors. Ana Ilic, first certified film commissioner in the SEE region is moving into a new position as chief of staff to the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government within Serbian Government and will remain strategic advisor to the work of the SFC. The changes in the leadership of SFC will secure the continuation of private public partnership between film industry and governmental institutions that SFC has been pioneering for the past 7 years resulting in adoption of the incentives programme and implementation of Film Friendly policies with the local government.

August 4, 2016

Film New Europe will be regularly reporting on news and events happening in Serbian film industry. In one of the first interviews their correspondent Tara Karajica talked to Serbia Film Commissioner Ana Ilic about challenges but also future of film industry in Serbia and Film in Serbia brand. 

FNE: What was the biggest challenge in creating the Serbia Film Commission?

Ana Ilić: Creating the brand Film in Serbia and developing a strategy for positioning Serbia internationally as a viable filming destination has been a very exciting adventure. In the beginning, we knew how much Serbia had to offer in terms of production expertise, talent, infrastructure and locations, but there was absolutely no place where you could find information on any of that. So, we began with a simple idea to gather all the information and start the promotion, but we soon realised we needed an organisation behind the brand.

So, we built the Serbia Film Commission from scratch and with very little support from the government, but with great enthusiasm from the industry. There were 16 founding members – film and TV producers. Within five years the SFC grew to 80 members, many new partners and support from various sponsors and donors. We also joined two major international associations of film commissions – the global Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and the European Film Commission Network (EUFCN), and have become members of their boards.

Serbia is the only country from southeastern Europe to be on the Board of Directors of the AFCI, but by far the biggest challenge was getting an incentive programme adopted by the Serbian government. There was no understanding of film and TV production as a business and economic endeavor that can be hugely impactful on the overall economy of a country, generating revenues, jobs, tourism promotion…

It took a lot of hard work, many studies and analyses, numerous media appearances and interviews and a great number of meetings with different Prime Ministers, ministers and government officials before the momentum was built and in August 2015 the government finally passed the incentive regulation.

Continue reading…

February 18, 2016

Changes to the EUFCN Board of Directors were announced at the General Assembly of the European Film Commissions network during Berlin Film Festival. After a year as a stand in member Milica Božanić, Business Development Manager of Serbia Film Commission will be replacing Valerie Lepine-Karik from Film France. Milica will contribute to the Board with her experience in finance management of NGO by holding the role of Network’s Treasurer. Former Treasurer Andrea Rocco (Genova-Liguria Film Commission) will step up as a Secretary General and the two will continue working together as a funding and lobbying working group in EUFCN mission to engage more with European institutions and build partnerships with other European associations in film and audio visual sector.

EUFCN Board under the leadership of Truls Kontny (Norway Film Commission) is taking actions toward marketing expansion of the Filming Europe on international markets.

SFC has been an EUFCN member since 2010 and is actively supporting initiatives and collaboration among member countries.

November 26, 2015

Serbian team is attending first European Location event, Focus, in Design Business Center in London’s Islington December 14th and 15th. Film Commission team will be supported by  experienced film, TV and advertising producers who produced projects for Survivor, Vice, telecomunications, banks and FMCG and are able to turn any project from paper to screen with astonishing production value.

Moreover we will be presenting Serbian film incentive program that kicks of in 2016. Cash rebate worth of 20% of Serbian expenditure will be available not only for features and TV drama but equally to high end commercials and post production that wish to benefit from Serbian talent.

So join us for Q&A on Serbian production offer and find out more why you should be considering Serbia for your next project. We are happy to meet you at our stand #55.

You can schedule a meeting with SFC team via info@filminserbia.com, or get directly in touch with

LeSpot

Ms Tea Korolija, producer

Tea.korolija@lespot.rs

Samaljot Production

Mr. Marko Popovic, director/producer

Marko.popovic.reditelj@gmail.com

Vision Team 

Mr. Dragan Djurkovic, producer

ddjurkovic@visionteam.rs

May 26, 2015

Bring your project to the workshop and make the best strategy for your film with Oscar winning and twice BAFTA nominated creative producer.
When: June, 7 – 9th, 2015
Where: Serbia Film Commission, Vlajkoviceva 18, Belgrade, Serbia
Lecturer: Mia Bays
Working language: English
Number of participants limited.

WORKSHOP WILL HELP YOU LEARN
– Box office, trends, events
What does the world look like now for film?
– Defining your audience
– How international works
Sales, Festivals, Deals
– Marketing and PR essentials
For before and during production
– Distribution strategies
Dealing with exhibitors, release strategy and marketing/PR essentials, reading box office numbers
– Essential PR and social media strategies in film
– Case study screening
– Work on your project

ABOUT LECTURER
Mia Bays is an Oscar winning, twice BAFTA nominated creative producer working across fiction and docs, with a proven track record of launching careers with over 24 years experience in film on over 50 features. Mia works in both production as well as sales marketing and distribution strategist roles for her company Missing In Action Films. From 2007 – 14 Mia has made 8 micro budget features as Creative Producer for the acclaimed Film London BBC Films Microwave scheme. She is also very popular lecturer in London Film School and Binger Filmlab.

APPLY AND MAKE YOUR STRATEGY!
To apply for the workshop participants need to send short personal/company biography and one page info on the project including budget, finance, distribution/sales potential and audience.
Deadline: May 27th, 2015
Price: 200EUR + PDV
Members of Serbia Film Commission enjoy a special rate: 140 EUR + PDV
Registration and additional assistance: jelena@filminserbia.com
Training and Development Coordinator: Jelena Samardzic

Serbia Film Commission representatives are currently at the 2014 Cannes Film Market. 

Cannes – May 19th 2014. Serbia Film Comission representatives are currently at the 2014 Cannes Film Market.

During their stay in Cannes, the SFC members have meetings with producers from Europe and the United States, and important meetings with partners from new markets, especially India and the Far East are also organized.

Preparations for the Danube conference are carried out simultaneously with the presence at the most important European film market. On this occasion, Ana Ilic, Executive director of the Serbian Film Commission and Milica Božanić, Operations Manager have meetings with colleagues and producers from the Danube countries. The SFC representatives traditionally participate at the meetings of the European Film Commision Network.

The SFC members are also in Cannes Film Market – DigitalKraft, Viktorija Film, Red Production, Art&Popcorn, Gargantua Films. Representatives of Viktorija Film and Gargantua Films promote their films in Cannes – Nymph and Little Buddho.

The production company More In Group is also being promoted in Cannes. In cooperation with Viktorija Film, last year they have finished shooting the film The Tenor in which prominent roles achieved Natasha Tapušković, Svetozar Cvetković and Dragan Mićanović. The film will premiere at the festival in Shanghai, and producers expect particularly great success in Japan.

The four-member delegation of film professionals from Serbia is currently visiting India to help increase exchange in cinema and television between India and Serbia

With the help of Indian Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia Film Commission organized for its members a visit to India 24-30 April 2014. The main goal of the visit is for Serbian representatives to learn about Indian film industry today and get acquainted with productions and current state of affairs in order to increase the exchange between the two countries. During their stay in New Delhi and Mumbai, the SFC members will meet prominent film, documentary and commercials producers, representatives of Indian Ministry of information and broadcasting and the National film development corporation.
The Serbian delegation comprises Milos Djukelic of Red Production, president of the board of the SFC, Ana Krivokuca from Top Cut, Bogdan Marjanović from Dream Dust and Milica Božanić of the Serbia Film Commission.
Serbia Film Commission and the Indian Embassy in Belgrade plan to organize similar visit of Indian film professionals to Serbia later this year.

March 27 – 29, 2014, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles – Join us for our special events at the Serbia Film Commission booth #706

Do you have a project cooking that could be filmed in Serbia? Or the Balkan region? Serbia Film Commission would be the best starting point for you and we will be happy to tell you in person why Serbia offers the ultimate value for money these days in Europe.

We have prepared for you special events at the Serbia Film Commission booth:

• „Filming a Medievial Battle“ – Thursday, 27 March at 1:00 p.m.
• „Serbian Danube and its Starring Role in The Movies“ – Thursday, 27 March at 2.30 p.m.
• „Emerging Filming Market in Serbia – The Best Value For Money“ – Friday, 28 March at 1:00 p.m.
• „ABC of filming in Serbia“ – Saturday, 29 March at 1:00 p.m.

Visit our stand #706 or or we could meet with you somewhere else in L.A. in the week of the 24th of March! Let us know where and when it would work for you at info@filminserbia.com

WHY SERBIA?

FRESH & VIBRANT

Serbia is a fresh vibrant film destination in South East Europe with an outstanding production infrastructure juiced up with amazing talents and uniquely creative crews that can make any idea possible and looking fabulous on screen!

PEOPLE WHO REALLY CARE

Serbia is well known for offering fully committed, reliable service companies that truly care about your project. They are your real partner, not just another service provider.

DIVERSITY OF LOCATIONS AND SEASONS

Serbia boasts an array of various film friendly locations from a unique mixture of architectural styles to the scenic nature and exquisite historical sites – fortresses, castles, villages and the magnificent Danube. Check it all out at www.filmlocationserbia.com

VAST VARIETY OF FACES

Serbia is in the middle of Europe, at the borders between the West and the East and Serbian people represent a unique mixture of cultures and looks. You can basically find actors, extras and stunts of a great number of ethnical looks.

ULTIMATE VALUE FOR MONEY

All of it comes on a very competitive budget allowing for major savings on any type of production.

BELGRADE – BEST CITY TO VISIT IN EUROPE IN 2014

…as announced by famous travel bloggers. Or the „Capital of Cool“ as Lonely Planet would put it. The city is safe, fun and exciting. No papparazi will bother you! And you will have great choice of restaurants, cafes, shops and nightclubs, all at walking distance.

BRAND NEW SOUND STAGES JUST 20 MIN FROM DOWNTOWN

Eight brand new studios are available, just 10 minutes from the international airport and 20 from downtown Belgrade. Check it out at www.pfistudios.com

HANDS ON SERBIA FILM COMMISSION

Serbia Film Commission will guide you through everything and find the best partners for your project! Let us know WHEN you are ready to come. We know HOW to cater to all your needs.

And if you need more convincing, please ask Ralph Fiennes, John Cusak, Gerard Butler, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Chastain, Chris Noth, Derek Jacobi, Anthony LaPaglia, Vanessa Redgrave who have all filmed in Serbia!