On Saturday, August 23, the second edition of Montenegro Film Rendezvous, an industry event organized by the Film Centre of Montenegro, was officially opened as part of the 38th Herceg Novi Film Festival – Montenegro Film Festival. The three-day event, running until August 25, has brought together a record number of European film industry representatives.
This year’s edition features presentations of 12 Montenegrin projects, as well as six regional projects selected through the call “France – Balkans Cinema Cooperation Days” organized in partnership with the French Embassy and the French Institute in Podgorica.
Aleksandra Božović, Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro, opened the event by welcoming participants and reflecting on last year’s achievements. “When we organized the first Montenegro Film Rendezvous just one year ago, we had big dreams but modest expectations. Today I can say – those dreams have become reality, and our expectations have been far exceeded,” Božović stated. She highlighted that the best proof of success comes from three films that were first presented at last year’s Montenegro Film Rendezvous: “15 and a Half,” “Otter,” and “Vud, You Won,” all of which are screening at this year’s Herceg Novi Film Festival.
Aleksandra Božović, Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro
Dr. Tamara Vujović, Minister of Culture and Media, expressed her satisfaction that Montenegro can host such a large number of participants. “However small, our contribution can be significant, given our film tradition and the new young talent we are educating and supporting,” the Minister emphasized, noting that authenticity is the key word of our time. “We want to showcase our creative people and their potential, as well as forge strong connections in the world of film industry,” Vujović added.
Dr. Tamara Vujović, Minister of Culture and Media
H.E. Dawn McKen, British Ambassador to Montenegro, highlighted the British government’s pleasure in supporting this initiative through the British Council. “This event has already become a space where creativity, exchange, and collaboration effectively converge. It’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Montenegro’s film industry – it’s young, ambitious, but increasingly visible,” the Ambassador stated. She particularly emphasized the presence of three significant British organizations: Framestore creative studio, Screen Yorkshire, and the British Film Institute.
H.E. Dawn McKen, British Ambassador to Montenegro
A special highlight of this year’s event is that film center directors from Southeast Europe gathered in Montenegro for the first time, further confirming the growing significance of Montenegro Film Rendezvous as a regional platform for film collaboration and connecting Montenegro with the European and global film industry.
Montenegro Film Rendezvous is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Municipality of Herceg Novi, and JUK Herceg Fest, which also produces the Herceg Novi Film Festival – Montenegro Film Festival. This year’s edition is also organized in partnership with the French Embassy in Montenegro, the French Institute in Montenegro, and the British Council.
The sponsors of this year’s Montenegro Film Rendezvous are Uniqa Insurance and Nescafé.
