At the fourth Franco-Serbian Film Meetings organized by the French Institute, Film Center Serbia and the Festival of Auteur Film (FAF), an agreement on co-productions between France and Serbia was presented, signed during this year’s visit of Emanuel Macron to our country. The advantages of this agreement for the Serbian and French markets were also discussed by the Ambassador of France to Serbia, Jean-Louis Falconi, Director of the Film Center of Serbia, Gordan Matić, and Attaché for Culture of the French Embassy, Catherine Faudry.
Falconi thanked ithe director of the Film Center of Serbia, Gordan Matić, in particular, for renewing the agreement. He also pointed out that France and Serbia are two distinctly cinematic countries: “We have a serious cinemaphile audience here and a constantly growing number of cinemagoers. I think this is extremely important, because even though we can watch movies on the phone today, it is an art for the theatre. It is also significant that you have your voice in the world of film, and there are not many such countries. It is important on the international scene that there is such a Serbian identity in film. ”
Falconi stated that film is also and industry, and that Serbia has a significant presence in the market in this domain..
Gordan Matić ommented on the importance of the agreement itself and plans for its implementation: “We will soon have important meetings in Paris, after which, in 7 to 10 days, we will know more details about the implementation of the agreement. This is the first public presentation of the document signed in July this year, as well as its importance, primarily for the Film Center of Serbia, but also for the international cooperation between the two countries. “
Catherine Faudry, the French cultural attaché , stressed that it was actually a renewed treaty dating back from Tito’s time, which a huge success. “This agreement restarts joint work on co-productions and market empowerment, so that one film market empowers another, and vice versa.”
Referring to the possible modalities of cooperation, Faudri also cited a specific example: “If a Serbian film has a minority French partner, by definition it also has the assistance and support of French distributors, which facilitates the distribution and screening of films in France.”
The fourth French-Serbian Film Meetings were held from 27th to 30th November in Belgrade at the FAF. During those days, a delegation of about ten French filmmakers (La Fabrique Cinéma, Aide aux Cinémas du Monde) met with Serbian screenwriters, directors, producers and film students to discuss international co-productions and share experiences.
At the Franco-Serbian Film Meetings, in addition to presenting a new co-production agreement, there was also a roundtable on the topic of “Sharing Good Practices in an International Context between Serbian and French Screenwriters and Directors”, as well as a discussion on the subject of resources for cooperation with France, the eligibility of ilms for the Cannes Festival and more.
In addition, the festival repertoire included 20 French films, including the selection of the Association for the Promotion of Young Independent Film ACID.