Together with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days, UNIQA Insurance has launched a special support programme for women film artists via its UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation. Titled the Female Filmmakers Support Programme, the initiative aims to support and empower women in film from six countries where UNIQA operates in Southeast Europe: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania and Montenegro.
The objectives of the Female Filmmakers Support Programme are “to develop and support women in the film industry from South East Europe in the production of independent film, to increase the representation and diversity of women in the regional film industry, to facilitate networking, skills development and funding opportunities for women in film,” write organisers.
“Female Filmmakers Support Programme (FFSP) is designed to support and promote women filmmakers in Southeast Europe by providing financial assistance for the production of their film projects, as well as to support the development of their careers through CineLink Industry Training and Skills Programme,” organisers add.
The value of the Female Filmmakers Support Programme, which was presented at this year’s 30th Sarajevo Film Festival and is approved for the next two years, is EUR 150,000 in 2025.
Comments Adel Bahtanović, president of UNIQA SEE region: “Our partnership with Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days on this Project is of great value to our Foundation. In addition to promoting diversity and advancing equality within the film industry, our goal is to inspire and empower young female filmmakers to follow their passions. The filmmaking industry holds immense power in shaping public opinion and influencing how we perceive the world. It’s crucial that we hear more stories told from a female point of view, as this not only enriches our understanding of life but also makes our experiences more meaningful and mindful. With this project, we want to encourage them to leverage their talents to educate, inform, and share their unique perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and impactful world for all of us.”
Adds Mirsad Purivatra, director of Slano Film Days: “Our long-term goal through Slano Film Days is to support the development of young talents’ careers in the region. In addition to our regular program, we have launched a one-month residency for project development, and as a third step, in cooperation with UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation, we created the Female Filmmakers Support Programme, aimed at supporting female filmmakers in development and postproduction. This initiative reflects our commitment to promote women in the film industry and provide them with the financial and career development support. Our region is rich in talent, as evidenced by the participation in Slano Film Days, with 25 directors to date, 16 of whom were women and 9 men.”
Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, comments: “The Female Filmmakers Support Programme reflects the Sarajevo Film Festival’s commitment to advancing gender equality, both within the Festival and in regional cinema. The Sarajevo Film Festival serves as a key platform for initiatives shaping the film industry, with a clear vision of achieving gender balance and promoting diversity and inclusivity in cinematic art.”
The call for the Female Filmmakers Support Programme is open to female directors or co-directors and at least one other key associate (screenwriter, director of photography, composer, editor) who identifies as a woman. Although the Foundation focuses on six countries (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania and Montenegro), it is also possible for a person from other countries to apply, provided that they have a producer or co-producer coming from one of the aforementioned countries.
“In this way, co-production and cooperation are actively promoted as they enable the inclusion of projects and talents outside the Foundation’s core focus countries. By involving producers and co-producers from the countries of the region, the programme not only expands the reach and diversity of applications, but also encourages international cooperation and strengthens the network of film professionals. Through this approach, the Foundation contributes to strengthening the regional film industry and linking it to global trends,” organisers write.
The call for applications is open until 19 February 2025. Click here to apply.
