Introduction to the Uniqa See Future Foundation’s Support Program
The Uniqa See Future Foundation has launched a support program for female filmmakers in Southeast Europe. This program is carried out in collaboration with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days. The foundation has selected five female filmmakers to receive a total of 180,000 € in funding for their feature film projects. The selected filmmakers are Ena Sendijarevic, Aida Begic, Masa Sarovic, Biljana Tutorov, and Dolya Gavanski.
The Selected Filmmakers and Their Projects
The five selected filmmakers were chosen for their outstanding work in the film industry. Ena Sendijarevic, known for her film "Take Me Somewhere Nice," and Aida Begic, known for her film "Children of Sarajevo," are among the recipients. The other selected filmmakers are Masa Sarovic, Biljana Tutorov, and Dolya Gavanski. These filmmakers will not only receive funding but also have access to the Cinelink Industry Days’ Industry Training and Skills Program at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
The Program’s Objective and Eligibility
The program aims to promote equality in the film industry by supporting female filmmakers. It is open to female filmmakers from six Southeast European countries where the insurer is active: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, and Bulgaria. The program’s objective is to provide a platform for new voices to be heard and supported, and to contribute to a more integrative and dynamic future for cinema in the region.
Quotes from the Founders and Directors
Mirsad Purivatra, founder and director of Slano Film Days, stated that the program is a natural expansion of the event’s vision to support new voices and challenge the status quo. Adel Bahtanovic, President of the Uniqa Southeast Europe region, expressed his pride in supporting extraordinary and talented filmmakers, contributing to the visibility and recognition of creative work in the region. Jovan Marjanovic, director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, emphasized the importance of addressing systemic imbalances in film financing and promoting equality in the cinema.
The Selected Projects
The following are the selected projects:
- The Obsessed (Bosnia and Herzegovina) directed by Ena Sendijarevic
- Air in a Bottle (Serbia) directed by Aida Begic
- Embryo (Montenegro) directed by Masa Sarovic
- The Last Nomads (Serbia) directed by Biljana Tutorov
- Confessions of a Female Player (Bulgaria) directed by Dolya Gavanski
Conclusion
The Uniqa See Future Foundation’s support program is a significant step towards promoting equality and supporting female filmmakers in Southeast Europe. The program provides a platform for new voices to be heard and contributes to a more dynamic and integrative future for cinema in the region. With the support of the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days, the program aims to address systemic imbalances in film financing and promote equality in the film industry.
