Anja Ilić, Director of the Audiovisual Center of Republika Srpska, announced in an interview that this year will focus on promoting incentives offered by Srpska to foreign producers choosing to film in its territory, emphasizing the region’s impressive filming locations.
Ilić highlighted that the Audiovisual Center has created a brochure featuring more than 100 mapped filming locations across Srpska, complete with photographs and all necessary information for potential investors, available both in print and digital formats.
Srpska boasts impressive filming locations
“Republika Srpska offers remarkable filming locations that are sure to attract interest from foreign production companies. We strive to provide adequate resources to further develop and enhance the audiovisual industry in Srpska,” Ilić stated.
She expressed satisfaction with this year’s budget increase of approximately 450,000 KM compared to the previous year, now totaling 3,085,000 KM.
Support for festivals that contribute to the film scene
Ilić emphasized the importance of supporting film festivals for promoting cinematic art and culture. She revealed plans to support relevant festivals that contribute to the growth of Srpska’s film scene.
“The exact number of festivals we will support will depend on the quality of submitted projects,” Ilić explained.
Reflecting on the previous year, she noted that the Audiovisual Center operated at full capacity, keeping pace with the region.
More than 100 projects in development
“Last year, we launched 21 projects and supported 50. Currently, over 100 projects are in development, including screenwriting, project development, and production of feature films, documentaries, animated films, and minority co-productions,” Ilić shared.
She added that a closed screening of three short films supported by the Center was held late last year, and several more premieres are expected this year, including documentaries and animated films. Projects like When I Die Again by Nemanja Savanović and Take Care of Him by Siniša Grabež, supported through feature film competitions, are highly anticipated.
Goal: Packed theaters for domestic films
Ilić expressed her vision of seeing fully occupied theaters at every premiere of domestic films, with increased recognition for local filmmakers, packed cinemas, and awards at festivals.
“An essential public competition this year will be for co-financing the production of a feature film on the national theme of ‘The Suffering of the Serb People in World War II in Drakulić, Banja Luka, in early 1942,'” Ilić noted.
She deemed the Center’s achievements over the past year successful and committed to continuing support for local creators with the same enthusiasm and dedication.
The Center provides creators with resources and support
“Since its establishment, the Audiovisual Center has provided creators with professional support, time, and funding to develop and complete their projects. Our filmmakers are now fully equipped to handle major film projects, with skilled teams and regional recognition for some of our directors, actors, and experts in VFX, sound, photography, editing, and animation,” Ilić remarked.
However, she acknowledged that there can never be enough quality ideas and scripts.
“In collaboration with the Academy of Arts at the University of Banja Luka, we decided to co-finance the participation of renowned screenwriter Đorđe Milosavljević in the second cycle of dramaturgy studies, hoping to empower and inspire our dramaturges to write,” Ilić concluded.
Source: Glas Srpske
