As a woman who has aspired to break into the film industry for years, I can’t help but feel a surge of hope and inspiration upon hearing about the Female Filmmakers Support Program launched by Uniqa SEE Future Foundation, Sarajevo Film Festival, and Slano Film Days. This program represents a significant step forward in promoting gender equality and diversity within the film industry in South-East Europe, which has long been dominated by male voices.

The Uniqa SEE Future Foundation, in collaboration with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days, has initiated the Female Filmmakers Empowerment Program. This program aims to elevate the professional paths of female filmmakers in the cinematic sector across South-East Europe.

The operation of this program will span across Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, and Montenegro. However, it’s open for women applicants from other nations as well, given they have a producer or co-producer based in one of the listed countries.

The application deadline on February 19th is for female directors or co-directors, along with a minimum of one additional crucial team member (such as a screenwriter, cinematographer, musician, or editor) who self-identifies as a woman.

The goal of this program is to foster and nurture women within the South-East European film sector by aiding them in the creation of independent films. It also aims to boost the number of women in leadership roles and increase diversity within the regional film industry. Moreover, it seeks to provide networking opportunities, skill enhancement, and funding resources for women working in film.

The program offers financial aid for producing films by women directors, while also aiding in their career advancement via the Sarajevo Film Festival’s CineLink Industry Training and Career Development Program.

The program’s budget for the first year is Euros 150,000.

Adel Bahtanovic, head of Uniqa in the Southeastern Europe area, stated: “Beyond fostering diversity and pushing for equality within the movie industry, we aim to spark and strengthen the ambitions of young women film directors.

It’s significant to note that the movie industry wields substantial influence over shaping public perspectives and our perception of reality. To broaden our horizons and make our lives more profound, it’s essential to listen to narratives originating from a female perspective. These stories not only add depth to our comprehension of life but also imbue our experiences with sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

Through this endeavor, our aim is to inspire individuals to utilize their abilities in teaching, enlightening, and expressing their distinct viewpoints. By doing so, we hope to cultivate a more welcoming and influential environment that benefits everyone.

Mirsad Purivatra, head of Slano Film Days, shared that their ultimate ambition for Slano Film Days is to foster the careers of young talents from the surrounding area. Beyond our standard offerings, we’ve initiated a one-month residency focused on project development. Taking it a step further, in partnership with Uniqa SEE Future Foundation, we established the Female Filmmakers Support Program, designed to aid female filmmakers during both the development and postproduction phases.

This program demonstrates our dedication to boosting women’s presence within the movie business, offering them both monetary assistance and opportunities for professional growth.

Jovan Marjanovic, head of Sarajevo Film Festival, declared that the festival’s lineup showcases their dedication to fostering gender equality, not only within the event itself but also in regional filmmaking. The festival functions as a significant stage for projects influencing the movie industry, with an explicit aim of attaining gender parity and encouraging diversity and inclusivity in cinematic expression.

The initiative was first presented at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival.

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2024-12-23 16:16