Empowering Female Filmmakers: UNIQA See Future Foundation's Support Program at Sarajevo Film Festival
The Sarajevo Film Festival has announced the selection of seven projects for their Female Filmmakers Support Program this year. The UNIQA See Future Foundation, in collaboration with the festival and Slano Film Days, will provide financial and professional support to female directors from six Southeast European countries. The program aims to enhance the presence of women in the regional film industry by offering financial assistance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
The selected projects for 2026 include Marta Popivoda’s "Body in Plural," a documentary featuring two dancers from Serbia and the U.S. "Citizens of Beauty" by Mila Turajlić from Serbia and Ilinca Calugareanu’s legal documentary "Anatomy of Indifference" from Romania are also part of the lineup. Una Gunjak’s "How Melissa Blew a Fuse," Katarina Bulajić’s "Leech," and Jelena Maksimović’s "Until the Day Ends" are among the selected projects. Additionally, Croatian filmmaker Daria Blažević’s "The Swamp," an anthology of horror stories set in the Neretva River Valley, is part of the program.
The Female Filmmakers Support Programme was launched in 2024 to empower women in the film industry. The initiative provides selected participants with industry training, mentorship, and access to the festival’s skills program. Petra Šolman, manager of the UNIQA See Future Foundation, expressed pride in the program's progress and emphasized the importance of supporting female filmmakers. The partnership with Slano Film Days and the Sarajevo Film Festival has been instrumental in the success of the program, and Šolman expressed gratitude for their support.
The selected projects for this year showcase the talent and creativity of female filmmakers in the region. The initiative aims to foster a new generation of filmmakers and contribute to the future of cinema. The Female Filmmakers Support Program continues to grow and evolve, thanks to the dedication of its partners and the inspiring work of the recipients. The program's impact on the film industry and the empowerment of female filmmakers is a testament to the importance of supporting diversity and creativity in cinema.