The UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation, in cooperation with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days, proudly announces the selection of five film projects as part of the Female Filmmakers Support Program. Launched in 2024, this initiative supports and empowers women filmmakers from the six Southeast European countries where UNIQA Insurance Group operates: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, and Bulgaria.

The Female Filmmakers Support Program was created to strengthen the presence and visibility of women in the regional film industry, offering financial support, mentorship, and opportunities for professional development. Selected participants also gain access to CineLink Industry Days through the Industry Training and Skills Program.

The five selected projects were officially announced at Slano Film Days 2025, in the presence of a professional audience of filmmakers, producers, and festival representatives.

Selected projects are:

• THE POSSESSED

(feature)

Director: Ena Sendijarević (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Production: SCCA/pro.ba (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Studio Ruba (the Netherlands)

• AIR IN A BOTTLE

(feature)

Director: Aida Begić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Production: This and That Productions (Serbia)

• EMBRYO

(feature)

Director: Maša Šarović (Montenegro)

Production: KINO d.o.o. (Montenegro)

• THE LAST NOMADS

(documentary)

Director: Biljana Tutorov (Serbia)

Production: WAKE UP FILMS (Serbia)

• CONFESSIONS OF A FEMALE GAMER

(documentary)

Director: Dolya Gavanski

Production: Agitprop (Bulgaria), Thea Films (Bulgaria)

These projects were selected for their strong artistic vision, originality, and commitment to telling compelling stories. They will receive tailored financial and professional support, helping them move forward in production and post-production.

With a total fund of EUR 180,000 for 2025 marking a significant commitment to gender equality in film.

This initiative was first introduced at the Slano Film Days in 2024.

“The ‘Female Filmmakers’ project was one of the first major initiatives of the SEE Future Foundation, and I am extremely proud of the fact that it has already made a strong impact on the regional film scene. I am especially grateful for the outstanding collaboration with Slano Film Days, the Sarajevo Film Festival, and all our partners who recognized the importance of the project and supported us in bringing it to life. Together, in a short amount of time, we succeeded in supporting five exceptional, inspiring, and talented women filmmakers, thereby making a meaningful contribution to the visibility and affirmation of creative work in the region. I congratulate all the recipients and look forward to seeing their brilliant projects come to life. I hope we will soon have the opportunity to watch their films on the big screen,” said Adel Bahtanović, President of the UNIQA SEE region.

“From the very beginning, Slano Film Days was imagined as a place where new voices could be heard and supported. This program is a natural extension of that vision: shining a spotlight on women filmmakers whose work challenges, inspires, and moves us. By backing their creative journeys, we’re helping shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for cinema in our region,” said Mirsad Purivatra, concept author and director of Slano Film Days.

“Through this partnership with UNIQA and their newly established foundation, which is dedicated to supporting art, sports, and now film, we are able to act strategically and address - and hopefully correct - some of the systemic imbalances in film funding. In particular, this initiative will provide dedicated support to films and projects predominantly created by women authors. Sarajevo Film Festival has always stood for gender equality in cinema, and we are proud to contribute to that goal through such a concrete and meaningful project,” said Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival.