CineLink Industry Days (Sarajevo Film Festival)
A co-production market and project development platform at the Sarajevo Film Festival supporting filmmakers from Southeast Europe and neighboring regions with funding and industry connections.
Overview
CineLink Industry Days is the industry platform of the Sarajevo Film Festival, one of the most important film festivals in Southeast Europe. CineLink provides co-production opportunities, project development support, and cash awards to filmmakers from the region, including countries across the Balkans, Turkey, and the broader Southeast European and Mediterranean area.
The Sarajevo Film Festival was founded in 1995 during the Siege of Sarajevo, and it has grown into the region's premier cinematic event. CineLink serves as the festival's industry engine, connecting regional filmmakers with European co-producers, financiers, sales agents, and distributors. The platform operates several programs designed to support projects at different stages of development.
Southeast European cinema has gained increasing international recognition, with filmmakers from the region winning major prizes at Cannes, Berlin, and Venice. CineLink has played a central role in enabling this success by providing the infrastructure that connects regional talent with international production and distribution networks.
What It Covers
- CineLink Co-Production Market -- presents projects in development to potential co-producers and financiers
- CineLink Drama -- supports television drama series in development from the region
- Work in Progress -- showcases films in post-production to sales agents and distributors
- Cash awards of up to 20,000 euros for selected projects
- Industry networking at the Sarajevo Film Festival with European and international professionals
Eligibility
Projects must be from filmmakers based in Southeast Europe, Turkey, or neighboring regions covered by the CineLink territorial focus. Both narrative and documentary features are eligible. Projects at the development, production, or post-production stages are considered depending on the specific CineLink program. Feature-length works are prioritized.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the Sarajevo Film Festival's industry portal. The deadline is typically in March or April for the festival's summer edition. Submissions include a project description, screenplay or treatment, director's statement, budget, financing plan, and filmmaker CV.
Who Should Apply
Filmmakers from Southeast Europe and neighboring regions who have feature film projects seeking co-production partners, financing, or distribution. The platform is valuable for filmmakers looking to connect with the broader European film industry.
See Also
For understanding European co-production structures, see International Film Markets. To plan your feature film budget, use the Production Budget Calculator.
