The Montenegro Film Rendezvous, the first industry event of its kind in Montenegro, successfully concluded in Herceg Novi, bringing together Montenegrin and international filmmakers, directors, screenwriters, producers, and experts. Over several days of intensive programming, 20 film projects in various stages of production were presented, giving Montenegrin authors the opportunity to showcase their work to key European film funds, festivals, and international professionals.
The program featured 13 development projects supported by the Film Centre of Montenegro, including “Plod” (Maša Šarović), “Požari” (Eleonora Veninova), “Četiri sahrane i vjenčanje” (Nikola Mijović), “Matura” (Nikola Vukčević), “Hotel Boka” (Marija Perović), “Jugoslava” (Ivan Bakrač), “Odavno mrtav” (Milija Šćepanović), “Po meni se ništa neće zvati” (Djordje Vojvodić), “Paragon” (Nemanja Bečanović), “Primavera” (Dušan Kasalica), “Skarabej” (Mladen Vujačić), “Bila je tako lijepa” (Milorad Milinković), and “Transfer” (Gana Čomagić).
Additionally, four “work in progress” projects were presented: “15 i po” (Milivoje Mišo Obradović), “Zaliv” (Draško Djurović), the coming-of-age film “Vidra” (Srdjan Vuletić), and the drama “Crna truba” (Bojan Stijović), as well as three documentary projects: “Kontraadmiral” (Mladen Ivanović), “Sample: Povratak Janka Nilovića” (Nikola Vukčević), and “Vude, ti si pobijedio” (Senad Šahmanović).
The Montenegro Film Rendezvous gathered notable international experts, including Marie Guégan from Eurimages, who presented financing opportunities for European co-productions, and Titus Kreyenberg, a renowned producer whose films have been shown at A-list festivals such as Berlinale, Cannes, and Toronto. The event also featured Émilie Georges, an Oscar-nominated producer and executive director of Paradise City, who shared her experiences on global film sales and navigating festival circuits.
The program included numerous panels, among which the panel on film funds provided insight into various selection strategies and program focuses of several significant European festivals.
Additionally, at the panel on film festivals, representatives from Rotterdam, Berlinale, and Tallinn discussed selection and future changes in their programs, while one-on-one individual meetings allowed Montenegrin authors direct contact with key players in the film industry.
The Montenegro Film Rendezvous confirmed its importance as a platform for exchanging ideas and establishing new film collaborations, which is of special significance for Montenegrin cinema.
This event was organized by the Film Centre of Montenegro, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Municipality of Herceg Novi, and JUK Herceg Fest, as part of the 37th edition of the Herceg Novi Film Festival – Montenegro Film Festival.
