The cinematic love story of the MEDIA sub-programme, the Creative Europe Desk - MEDIA Croatia Office and Croatian creators, film and TV professionals, and video game authors has been going on for already 15 years.
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On March 17, 2008, it was possible for Croatian directors, producers, screenwriters, and others involved in audiovisual activities to participate in the MEDIA sub-programme and to compete for financial resources provided by the European Commission to support the production, promotion and distribution of European audiovisual programs. 

This is how Croatia began its path to the success story.

SMALL COUNTRY WITH BIG SUCCESS STORIES
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In the period of 2008 -2022, the Croatian beneficiaries have secured EUR 14 million for their projects, which has positioned Croatia at the very top of the success rate among member participating MEDIA countries.
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In other words, the provided funds supported the development of 91 Croatian films and TV series, 4 short films and 6 Croatian video games, and the production of 2 TV projects, while 201 organisations participated in 611 projects.
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Croatia is also strong in the field of promotion and distribution of European films - as many as 18 Croatian cinemas are part of the unique network of Europa Cinemas, 6 Croatian film festivals are on the list of MEDIA festivals, as well as most recently 1 VoD platform and 1 TV market while 10 Croatian distributors have provided support for the distribution of European films.
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The MEDIA desk provides advice and responds to the inquiries of Croatian audiovisual professionals, explains different funding strategies and the eligibility criteria of their works, as well as creates and organizes innovative and creative workshops – the essential tools for training, informing, and networking Croatian and European film professionals.
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Until now, the Croatian MEDIA Office has (co)organized around 370 events since its establishment. 

Christina is a lecturer and advisor at international film industry events, film festivals and film development & training workshops, and in 2020, she co-founded Endorphin Film Sales, a boutique world sales & consulting company, where she is responsible for acquisitions & marketing.

When it comes to her professional experience, Wendy has over 25+ years’ experience in film/Pay TV/VOD /OTT channel start-up and program buying, beginning originally as an entertainment lawyer, and then crossing over to the business side in various international pay TV network. She is a founder and managing director of 'Rights Stuff', as well as a passionate film buff specialised in content strategy, curation, acquisition, distribution, for and to traditional and digital media platforms, including Pay/Mobile TV, TVOD/ SVOD/AVOD/OTT/FAST and other hybrid variations.

The video highlighting the moments and atmosphere from two events we organised in collaboration with Christina Pelekani (Endorphin Film Sales) & Wendy Bernfeld (Rights Stuff) and as a 'kick-off' celebrating '15 years of MEDIA & Croatia'!

Every year on May 9, we are celebrating ‘Europe Day’ - it is the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration from 1950, but also the first official step in the creation of the European Union. Throughout Europe, numerous events are held that focus on contents that glorify the multiplicity and diversity of the Old Continent, thus introducing the public to the work of all relevant European institutions and organizations whose goal is the promotion of European values.
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This year, on May 9, starting at 5 p.m., the focus of the central event is on recent Croatian MEDIA success stories. Thus, producer Rea Rajčić (Eclectica) and director and screenwriter Judita Gamulin will take part in the conversation, presenting the debut feature film 'Leave the Door Open', producer, director, and screenwriter Karla Lulić (Dobar film) and actress Judita Franković Brdar presenting the debut feature film ' Mirror of Nightingales’ director and screenwriter Petar Orešković presenting his feature film for children ‘Young Tesla and Idea Poachers' and the documentary film 'Measuring the Sky'. The conversation was moderated by Martina Petrović, Head of the Croatian MEDIA Office.
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After the talk, the screenings of three short films were organised as well:

‘Flowers’ by Judita Gamulin


‘In the name of the Strawberry, the Chocolate and the Holy Spirit’ by Karla Lulić
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'Get a Move On!' by Petar Orešković
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Obilježavanje Dana Europe i centralnog događanja ’15 godina: MEDIA & Hrvatska' održalo se u zagrebačkoj Uraniji – prostoru kreacije.

Short PR video

The Croatian short feature film “Stain” by screenwriter and director Sara Alavanić and producer Lucija Perić was declared the best project of the workshop, while a special award was given to the Greek short feature film “Hero” by screenwriter and director Alexandros Rellos!
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CED - MEDIA offices from Croatia, Austria, Greece and the Film Center of Montenegro, incooperation with the Mediterranean Film Festival Split, organised from 14 to 18 June ' Film Project International Market Preparation & Presentation Workshop' culminating with the pitching forum.
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The focus of the workshop itself was to guide professionals and provide adequate answers to questions about the most effective ways of preparing and presenting one's own project to the professionals – producers, distributors and sales representatives, but at the same time to the general public.

The experienced and renowned German film producer Roshanak Behesht Nedjad was in charge of conducting the workshop (her recent films “Mission Ulja Funk” (2021), “Delegation” (2023) premiered as part of the Berlin International Film Festival). Behesht Nedjad is a member of the European and German Film Academy and a graduate and mentor of the most famous European educational program for film producers EAVE – European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs.
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After the end of the workshop, the culmination of which was the pitching forum, the jury consisting of producer Roshanak Behesht Nedjad (In Good Film), marketing and distribution expert Christina Pelekani (Endorphin Film Sales) and head of DKE – Croatian MEDIA Office, Martina Petrović, decided to allocate the financial amount of 1,500 euros under the sponsorship of UJE d.o.o., a long-term partner of the Mediterranean Film Festival Split, to the short feature film “Stain” by screenwriter and director Sara Alavanić and producer Lucija Perić as the best project of the workshop.

The jury explained their decision with the following words:
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" “Stain” is the project that will benefit the most from the financial award. It's a skater film told from a female perspective, and the focus is on a generation that was lost and found. The film is fresh, highly visual and entertaining at the same time."

Also, the committee decided to award a special award to the Greek short film “Hero” by screenwriter and director Alexandros Rellos and explained their decision with the following words:
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"A special mention was given to the Greek short film “Hero” for its unique take on the question “Is there an expiration date for heroes?”."
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A total of eight projects were selected to participate in the workshop: the Austrian project “Soldier” by screenwriter and director Vivian Bausch, the Montenegrin project “At the height of the season” by screenwriter and director Zvonimir Grujić and producer Miljan Vučelić, two Greek projects, “Hero” by screenwriter and director Alexander Rellos and “Swimming on rocks” by screenwriter and director Marija Tsioli and producer Eva Gavriilidou, and four Croatian projects: “Stain” by screenwriter and director Sara Alavanić and producer Lucija Perić, “Nature and Poetry” by screenwriter and director Jasna Safić, “180 Days of Stubbornness” by screenwriter and director Luka Čurčić and “Here comes the summer” by screenwriter and director Ante Marin.

More: Roshanak Behesht Nedjad & FMFS

'Creativity 360°' is the name of the second edition of the international scientific conference Creativity Future Insights, which took place on September 14 and 15, 2023, at VERN University in Zagreb.
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The conference was jointly organised by VERN' University and the Zagreb Institute of Economics, with the partnership support of CED - MEDIA Office, and which brought together numerous experts from the field of creative industries, renowned keynote speakers and representatives of the academic and business community from all over Europe.
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As part of various sessions and panels, the participants discussed the challenges in one of the most dynamic economic branches of the European Union - creative industries, while the discussion was opened by Dr. h. c. mult. Doris Pack, former President of the Committee on Education and Culture of the European Parliament.
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The CED - MEDIA Office organised and moderated two panel discussions:
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14 September 2023 – 'Važnost održivosti u području kreativnih i kulturnih industrija na europskom nivou' naziv je panel-diskusije u sklopu koje su se propitkivale ekološki održive prakse u filmskoj produkciji, primjena zelenog protokola, dobivanje certifikata, kao i uloga tzv. green managera uz sljedeće govornice:

Moderator: Martina Petrović, Head of CED – MEDIA Office Croatia
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15 September 2023 – ‘ The importance of creative and cultural industries in Croatia’ was the name of the second panel discussion, focusing on the review and analysis of the Croatian MEDIA results of the Creative Europe Programme (2014 - 2020 and 2021 and 2022), the importance of the participation of low AV capacity countries at the same time strengthening projects that promote inclusion, i.e. the inclusion of social goals at the national and local level, such as gender equality, cultural and linguistic diversity. The following Croatian representatives participated: 

Moderator: Martina Petrović, Head of CED – MEDIA Office Croatia
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More: https://www.creativefutureinsights.vern.hr/

CED - MEDIA Office of Croatia celebrated 15 years of success as part of this year's fifth edition of ProFilmDays, organised by the Zagreb Film Office, namely:
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Moderation and organisation of the panel ’12 Transformations for Stories and Future'
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The panel entitled '12 transformations for stories and future', organised by CED - MEDIA Office Croatia, brought producer Helene Granqvist and screenwriter Valeria Richter, who have gained significant experience in the international film and TV industry and have collaborated on several film projects. They mutually cover a wide range of production and writing of feature and documentary films, TV series, as well as financing and organising laboratories for innovative development, production and script consulting, creating new training concepts for young talents and experienced filmmakers. They are currently funding a new lab format and an industry-wide initiative that focuses on sustainability and new ways to approach much-needed changes in the ecosystem of how we develop, produce and connect films and TV series to audiences. The panel will be moderated by Martina Petrović, head of DKE - Croatian MEDIA Office.
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Participated in the following panel – discussion ‘Green Around the Corner’ organised on behalf of the Croatian Film Workers’ Association.
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Panellists: Ankica Jurić Tilić (Producer / Kinorama), Mery Gobac & Dora Kvež (Studio Poster) and Martina Petrović (Head of CED – MEDIA Office Croatia) 
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Moderator: Morana Ikić Komljenović (producer / Little Red Dot)
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The panel – discussion focused on tackling the opportunities and challenges of sustainable international co-productions as well as exploring coordination and harmonization of systems.
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Organisation and presentation ’15 years of success: MEDIA & Croatia’
In the period of 2008 -2022, the Croatian beneficiaries have secured EUR 14 million for their projects, which has positioned Croatia at the very top of the success rate among member participating MEDIA countries.
‍
In other words, the provided funds supported the development of 91 Croatian films and TV series, 4 short films and 6 Croatian video games, and the production of 2 TV projects, while 201 organisations participated in 611 projects.
‍
Croatia is also strong in the field of promotion and distribution of European films - as many as 18 Croatian cinemas are part of the unique network of Europa Cinemas, 6 Croatian film festivals are on the list of MEDIA festivals, as well as most recently 1 VoD platform and 1 TV market while 10 Croatian distributors have provided support for the distribution of European films.
‍
The MEDIA desk provides advice and responds to the inquiries of Croatian audiovisual professionals, explains different funding strategies and the eligibility criteria of their works, as well as creates and organizes innovative and creative workshops – the essential tools for training, informing, and networking Croatian and European film professionals.
‍
Up until now, the Croatian MEDIA Office has (co)organized around 370 events since its establishment. 

More: https://filmzagreb.hr/

Following the last year's success story, the third edition of “Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way” kicked off online, 30/10/23 at 12 (CET).
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The event is initiated by the CED – MEDIA Office Croatia (Martina Petrovic – Head of Office), and co-organised by the Creative Europe MEDIA Offices in Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. It is also recognised and supported by the Bulgarian Film Centre, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Centre of Montenegro, North Macedonia Film Agency, Film Center Serbia and CED MEDIA in Denmark.

The online pitching preparation workshop from October 18 to 24 was led by the experienced international tutors Valeria Richter (screenwriter) and Helene Granqvist (producer).
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The call was open to participants coming from 10 countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia.

In the end, out of a total of 21 received projects, 8 were selected and in the following order: 

The jury members were as it follows:

As part of the third edition of the "Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way" event, the jury's main prize in the amount of EUR 5,000 was awarded to the project Wool  by author and producer Milena Džambasović (Film Road Production) from Serbia, while the Series Mania Forum award, in the form of accreditation for participation at the next year's Forum, was given to the Croatian project, called Stringers by screenwriter Nikola Kuprešanin / Force Majeure.
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Finally, tutors Helene Granqvist and Valeria Richter awarded the Special Mention to the project Estavela from Montenegro, and to the following team members: Matija Jovanović (screenwriter and director), Milo Vučinić (screenwriter) and Nemanja Popović (producer / Makina Production).

More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goYr4WzRWk4

Within this years' edition of Zagreb Film Festival, CED - MEDIA Office Croatia organises an info day titled 'MEDIA Info Day - what's there for me?', which is going to focus on Creative Europe MEDIA and focusing on guidelines (tips & tricks) including the right moment to prepare and submit your own film project based on the MEDIA Sub-programme calls, clarifications regarding important aspects of filling out application forms as well as highlighting the most important segments of examples of good practices. In addition, Martina Petrović, Head of CED - MEDIA Office Croatia, is going to  tackle the importance of financing short films within the Creative Europe MEDIA through mini-slate and slate funding calls as an incentive for new talents. 
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The event will take place in English, on Tuesday, 7.11.2023., starting at 12:00 PM at the Academy of Dramatic Art  / Theatre Hall, Trg Republike Hrvatske 5, Zagreb. 
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More:   https://zff.hr/en/industry/media-info-day-what-is-there-for-me/