The Film Centre of Montenegro and the UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation have signed an agreement to join the “Female Filmmakers Support Program” at a press conference held in Podgorica. The program was launched by the UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation in collaboration with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days. With this step, the Film Centre of Montenegro provides additional support to female filmmakers in the region, enabling better conditions for project development and implementation.
The program aims to support and empower women in film from six countries where UNIQA operates in Southeast Europe: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, and Montenegro. The goal is to increase female representation in the regional film industry and provide financial and professional support through the CineLink Industry training and Skills Program.
The value of the “Female Filmmakers Support Program” is €150,000 for 2025. The program has been approved for the next two years as well.
“We are very happy and proud to have jointly launched this important and praiseworthy Female Filmmakers project with the Sarajevo Film Festival and Slano Film Days, which fully aligns with the values of the UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation. The Film Centre of Montenegro has also recognized this special project, giving us additional momentum, and I am confident that together we will enable talented female authors to showcase their talent and passion for creating new films. Both in the film industry and in business, we promote and advocate for diversity and equality, and by supporting this project, we want to provide talented female authors the opportunity to realize their potential and positively influence the entire community through their example. We eagerly await to see where this project will take us and what inspiring stories will be told,” said Petra Šolman, manager of the UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation.
Petra Šolman manager of the UNIQA SEE FUTURE Foundation
“In support of this significant partnership, through which Montenegrin female authors will receive concrete support for career development, expert mentoring, and professional training, as well as the opportunity to apply for production and post-production funding, the Film Centre of Montenegro has decided to open, for the first time this year, a competition for co-financing script and project development led by women. This way, we will ensure continuity in production and increase both the quantity and quality of projects authored by women,” stated Aleksandra Božović, director of the Film Centre of Montenegro.
Aleksandra Božović, director of the Film Centre of Montenegro.
“The high interest in the ‘Female Filmmakers Support Program’ confirms how necessary such an initiative was for the regional film industry. The Film Centre of Montenegro joining further strengthens this platform and allows an even greater number of talented female authors access to financial support, professional development, and networking. This program not only provides crucial financial support but also opens doors to international opportunities, skills development, and career advancement for female filmmakers from Southeast Europe. Through such initiatives, we are collectively building a more inclusive and diverse film scene, enabling authentic voices to tell their stories, reach audiences, and leave a lasting impact through art,” said Mirsad Purivatra, founder and director of Slano Film Days.
Mirsad Purivatra, founder and director of Slano Film Days
This partnership further strengthens the support network for female filmmakers in the region, ensuring better visibility, education, and access to resources needed for film creation and distribution.
