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, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, and Serbia. It is also recognised and supported by the Bulgarian Film Centre, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Centre of Montenegro, Film Center Serbia and Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations in Cyprus.
Martina Petrovic (Head of Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia) – statement:
We are proud to acknowledge that this year we received a record number of 44 applications, which is double that of last year! This justifies and proves a strong need to collaborate to ensure the further development of stories coming from small countries or small territories. Also, such initiatives additionally safeguard and promote European cultural diversity that we are in need of more than ever! It was not an easy task for our wonderful mentors - Helene Granqvist and Valeria Richter - who helped in the selection of 8 projects coming from 8 countries, and who are going through the pitching training with the participants, respecting each project’s uniqueness and author, and in the end preparing them for their final pitching on 30/10.
Valeria Richter (screenwriter) & Helene Granqvist (producer) – selectors & tutors –joint statement:
We feel truly privileged to have been an integral part from the beginning of this important pitch initiative, created by Martina Petrovic. The Series Rough Pitch has grown in scope every year with a record number of applications this year, showcasing talents from 8 different countries. This event opens up an important window into Balkan worlds with exciting insights from diverse, urgent and entertaining stories. This year’s selection highlights core European and global issues relating to our common heritage, corruption, capitalism and politics, with a red thread moving across several projects exploring the role and meaning of artists and art in today’s world.
The call was open to participants coming from 8 countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, and Serbia. In the end, out of a total of 44 received projects, 8 were selected and in the following order:
(BULGARIA) - 'THE GENE OF DOUBT' ( Zvezdomira Bozhana / co-writer, attached: Zornitsa Sophia / writer, director & Didi Maximova / producer / Concept Studio )
(CROATIA) - 'A FISTFUL OF NOTHING' (Jasna Nanut / writer, director / attached: producer Hrvoje Osvadić / Petnaesta umjetnost)
(CYPRUS) - 'ATAXIA' (Christina Tryphonos / writer, director & Andreas Phylactou / creator, producer / Black Lemon TV )
(GEORGIA) - ' STAGED' (Miranda Namicheishvili / writer, director)
(GREECE) - 'THE SHEPHERD' (Filippos Tsitos / writer, director & Stelios Mavrodontis / producer / Filmiki, attached: Nikos Poursanidis / writer )
(HUNGARY) - 'DO THE DEAD EAT STRAWBERRY CAKE?' (Gergely Ipacs /writer, director & Peter Roskó / producer / Blue Duck Arts Production)
(MONTENEGRO) - 'PRAY FOR US' (Filip Jokanović / writer, director & Sara Stijović / producer/ Tiny Sofa)
(SERBIA) - 'PERFECT PLACE FOR UNHAPPINESS' (Marko Kovač / writer, director, producer / MK Art Studio, attached: Magdalena Petrović / producer / LEWA productions)
The jury members are as it follows:
Andrea Hoffmann / Berlinale Co-Production Market / Co-Pro Series
Solène Moreau / Festival SERIES MANIA/Series Mania Forum
Grace Maharaj / WIFT Sweden
Roosa Toivonen / co-head / TV Beats Forum at Tallinn & Baltic Event
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson / actor, screenwriter, executive producer and one of funders of Act4
The jury will decide on two financing awards. One in the amount of 6,000 euros will be awarded to the project for the best pitching. The other will be in the amount 1,000 euros and will be awarded to the project that made the best progress through online pitching preparation workshop. And finally, a free accreditation will be awarded to one project by the Series Mania Forum to participate in 2025.
The event will be live streamed on 30/10/2024 starting at 12 (CET) via the official Youtube channel CED – MEDIA Office Croatia as well respective Facebook pages of the CED – MEDIA Offices involved in the co-organisation of the event.
Martina Petrovic,
Head of CED – MEDIA Office Croatia.
