Peto izdanje Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way održano je online 30. listopada 2025. godine, ponovno slaveći iznimnu kreativnost i pripovjedački talent filmskih i televizijskih autora iz regije i šire.
Događanje su organizirali DKE – Uredi MEDIA iz Hrvatske, Cipra, Crne Gore, Grčke, Mađarske, i Srbije, u suradnji s Hrvatskim audiovizualnim centrom, Filmskim centrom Crne Gore i Filmskim centrom Srbije, uz potporu Organizacije za europske programe i kulturne odnose na Cipru.
Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way osmišljeno je s ciljem povezivanja regionalnih autora s međunarodnim partnerima te i dalje predstavlja jedinstvenu platformu u sklopu koje novi autori imaju priliku predstaviti svoje originalne koncepte televizijskih serija vodećim europskim stručnjacima, mentorima i predstavnicima industrije. Ovogodišnje izdanje donijelo je izvanredan izbor priča obilježenih emocionalnom snagom, autorskom hrabrošću i izraženim međunarodnim potencijalom, potvrđujući da regija ostaje plodno tlo originalnih glasova spremnih za globalnu odnosno širu publiku.
Kako ističe Martina Petrović, voditeljica Deska Kreativne Europe – MEDIA Ureda Hrvatske i pokretačica ove inicijative:
„Ovo peto izdanje označava važnu prekretnicu za Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way, s rekordnim brojem od 47 prijava iz šest zemalja. Rastući interes i raznolikost projekata ponovno potvrđuju snažnu kreativnu energiju regije i njezinu sposobnost ispričati one priče koje nadilaze granice. The Balkan Way prerastao je u više od pitching-događaja – postao je platforma koja povezuje, inspirira i daje glas pripovjedačima koji ulijevaju nadu i stvaraju povezaniju budućnost.“
Glavnu nagradu žirija, u iznosu od 5.000 eura, osvojio je mađarski projekt Forsaken, autorice Fruzsine Fekete. Nagradu je u ime žirija uručila Filson Ali, koji je tom prigodom istaknula:
„Glavna nagrada Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way 2025. dodjeljuje se projektu koji je predstavio najbolji pitch te nas uveo u svoju priču na jasan i uvjerljiv način. Projekt se bavi posljedicama traume u ranoj dobi i govori o ponovnom preuzimanju kontrole nad vlastitim životom koji je do tada bio određen tom traumom. To je sirova i emocionalno složena priča u kojoj se dva glavna lika nalaze s različitih strana zakona, ali na istoj strani traume. Obje trebaju ozdravljenje i preuzimaju odgovornost na jedini način koji znaju. Pobjednik je 'Forsaken' scenaristice Fruzsine Fekete, a žiri želi također dodati da je riječ o hrabroj temi i da s velikim zanimanjem očekujemo susret s ove dvije žene iz priče.“
Nagrada WIFTI Peace Prize, u iznosu od 3.000 eura, koju osigurava Damn Fool Productions, dodijeljena je hrvatskom projektu , autorice Tene Gojić i producentice Miljenke Čogelja (Pipser). Nagradu je najavio Wade Channell, koji je tom prigodom istaknuo:
„Organizacija Women in Film and Television International osnovana je 1973. godine s ciljem podrške ženama u filmskoj industriji, kroz umrežavanje, vidljivost i razmjenu znanja. Nagrada 'WIFTI Peace Prize' pokrenuta je 2023. kako bi se prepoznale iznimne žene koje svojim pričama grade bolji svijet. U svojoj istaknutoj knjizi' Isključenje i zagrljaj' hrvatski teolog Miroslav Volf istražuje prirodu sukoba i pomirbe te zaključuje da jedan zajednički čimbenik povezuje sve sukobljene strane – svaka od njih vjeruje da je u pravu, a druga u krivu. Probijanje te slijepe točke isključivanja – odbacivanja drugoga, njegova mišljenja i iskustva – temeljni je izazov za postizanje mira u podijeljenom svijetu. No kako doći do tog pomaka? Bez razumijevanja, to je nemoguće. Pripovjedači nas vode u srca i živote drugih ljudi, pomažući nam da razumijemo ne samo njih, nego i same sebe. Iz tog razumijevanja rađa se mogućnost da nadvladamo vlastitu bol i stvorimo nešto bolje. Nagrada WIFTI Peace Prize 2025. dodjeljuje se projektu ' Njihova priča o teškim izborima u teškim okolnostima poziva nas da pronađemo put prema razumijevanju – barem – ako već ne prema oprostu - za ono što društvo smatra neoprostivim. U svijetu prekrivenom slojevima boli, ovaj poziv na radikalnu empatiju nije samo poziv na povratak, nego na korak naprijed – prema miru.“
Nagradu za korazvoj dodijelila je Anna Rohde-Seyfried u ime tvrtke Beta Film projektu , autorice Darije Stilin, producenta Danijela Peka (Antitalent) i producenta Franka Spotnitza (Big Light Productions).
„Nagradu za korazvoj Beta Filma dodjeljuje naš Content & Coproduction tim projektu koji pokazuje jasnu kreativnu viziju, velik međunarodni potencijal i obećavajuću paneuropsku postavku. Ova fascinantna priča spaja elemente klasične kriminalističke istrage s mističnim pripovjednim slojem koji istražuje univerzalnu karmu. Radujemo se suradnji s Darijom Stilin, Danijelom Pekom i Frankom Spotnitzom na daljnjem razvoju serije Sumnjive okolnosti / Suspicious Circumstances i dubljem istraživanju slojeva neverbalne komunikacije o vjeri, ljubavi i nadi.“
Posebna priznanja mentorica dodijelile su Valeria Richter (scenaristica) i Helene Granqvist (producentica) sudionicima koji su se istaknuli tijekom radionica.
„Posebna priznanja mentorica, koja prepoznaju razvoj i predanost sudionika tijekom zajedničkog tjedna mentoriranja, ove godine dodjeljuje se dvama projektima. Prvo posebno priznanje ide projektu Athena Tsunami scenarista/ice, redatelja/ice Vasiliki Lazaridou, jer je u potpunosti prigrlio/prigrlila svoju ‘pitching osobu’ i autentičan glas, istražujući načine kako povezati energiju svoje priče i likova s publikom – pokazujući zašto možda upravo trenutak sjedenja na kamenu u Ateni i razmišljanja može biti promjena koju svijet sada treba. Drugo posebno priznanje ide scenaristu i redatelju Darku Lungulovu za projekt The Second, za dubinsko istraživanje putovanja glavnog lika i pronalaženje načina kako istaknuti dublje slojeve teme koji rezoniraju s današnjom stvarnošću – u svijetu u kojem su istina i činjenice sve više ugrožene lažnim vijestima i iskrivljenim realnostima. Čestitke oboma na razumijevanju te usvajanju velike razlike između pisanja završnog teksta i prezentiranja priče uživo. Hvala vam na otvorenosti i velikodušnosti u suradnji.“
EPI stipendiju uručila je Dina Rubanovitš u ime Erich Pommer Instituta (EPI), a dodijeljena je projektu Ti se uvijek možeš vratiti / You Can Always Come Back autorice Tene Gojić i producentice Miljenka Čogelja (Pipser):
„EPI nudi sveobuhvatne edukacije o poslovnim i pravnim aspektima europske AV industrije te podržava rodnu ravnopravnost kroz svoje programe ženskog liderstva. S velikim zadovoljstvom dodjeljujemo EPI Training Scholarship projektu Ti se uvijek možeš vratiti / You Can Always Come Back – projektu o ženama, kojeg stvaraju žene, a koji nas je impresionirao emocionalnom dubinom i jasnom kreativnom vizijom. Kroz temu majčinstva, duboko ljudsku i univerzalnu, priča govori na način koji će odjeknuti kod publike diljem svijeta. Snažna međunarodna ambicija čini Ti se uvijek možeš vratiti / You Can Always Come Back savršenim kandidatom za EPI-jeve programe, koji će autorskom timu pružiti priliku za nova znanja, povezivanje i inspiraciju za sljedeće korake u razvoju projekta.“
Konzultacijske nagrade u ime tvrtke Good Hand Film and TV (Finska) dodjelila je Roosa Toivonen:
„Govoreći o zemljama s malim brojem stanovnika i izazovima s kojima se susreću autori ograničenih domaćih tržišta, odlučili smo ponuditi konzultantske sesije u suradnji s tvrtkom Good Hand Film and TV iz Finske. Zajedno s Petrijem Kemppinenom, sa mnom kao dramaturginjom te još dvoje producenta, odabrali smo dva projekta – Uncarved scenarsta Mle Božčevića iz Hrvatske te producenta Andri Óttarsena (Glassriver) s Islanda i Killing Isle autora, scenarista i redatelja Harryija Ayiotisa sa Cipra – koji dolaze iz manjih zemalja, ali su nas osvojili svojim potencijalom i pričama. Vjerujemo da im ove konzultacije mogu pomoći napraviti korak naprijed prema globalnoj prepoznatljivosti.“
Akreditacija za TV Beats Forum 2026. dodijeljena je od strane Roose Toivonen crnogorskom projektu Riders of the Mist scenaristice Ane Vujadinović Tomić i producenta Marka Jaćimovića ( Giggling Goat Productions):
„Ova nagrada dodjeljuje se projektu Riders of the Mist. Smatramo da njegov crni humor i intrigantna premisa proizlaze iz globalno relevantnog ‘coming-of-age’ žanra, a tema tinejdžerice koja se suočava sa smrću, gubitkom i tugom zasigurno može odjeknuti i izvan balkanskog i jadranskog tržišta.“
Akreditaciju za Séries Mania Forum 2026. dodjelila je Coline Garbage u ime Series Mania Foruma projektu Forsaken scenaristice Fruzsine Fekete.
„U ime Series Mania Foruma s velikim zadovoljstvom dodjeljujemo akreditaciju projektu Forsaken. Priča nas je uistinu osvojila – snažna je, uvjerljiva i puna potencijala – i s nestrpljenjem iščekujemo njezine sljedeće korake! Primijetili smo i da autorica još nije sudjelovala na Series Mania Forumu pa će ovo biti izvrsna prilika za upoznavanje stručnjaka iz industrije i otkrivanje događaja u Lilleu idućeg ožujka. “
Srdačne čestitke upućuju se svim pobjednicima i sudionicima pitchinig događanja na njihovoj kreativnosti, predanosti i inspirativnim prezentacijama.
Posebna zahvala upućena je članovima žirija na njihovoj profesionalnosti, stručnosti i velikodušnom dijeljenju znanja: Filson Ali (WIFT Sweden Board Member, CAMERA X co-founder, creative producer / European Producers Club), Anni Rohde-Seyfried (International Creative Executive / Beta Group Content & Coproduction), Roosi Toivonen (Co-Head / TV Beats Forum / Good Hand Film and TV), Dini Rubanovitš (Director Strategy and Business Development / Erich Pommer Institut), Coline Garbage (Co-Pro Pitching Sessions & IP Market Project Manager) i Wade Channell (CEO / Damn Fool Productions). Njihov angažman i doprinos bili su ključni za odabir ovogodišnjih pobjednika.
Zahvale se upućuju i mentoricama Valeriji Richter i Helene Granqvist na posvećenom mentorstvu i podršci tijekom radionica.
Na kraju, iskrena zahvalnost svim partnerima i suradnicima: DKE - Uredima MEDIA iz Cipra, Grčke, Mađarske, Crne Gore i Srbije, Hrvatskom audiovizualnom centru, Filmskom centru Crne Gore, Filmskom centru Srbije, tvrtkama Beta Film, Damn Fool Productions, Erich Pommer Institutu, Good Hand Film and TV, TV Beats Forumu, Series Mania Forumu te Organizaciji za europske programe i kulturne odnose na Cipru, čija je suradnja i podrška omogućila uspješnu realizaciju ovogodišnjeg izdanja.
The fifth edition of Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way took place online on October 30, 2025, once again celebrating the vibrant creativity and storytelling talent of the Western Balkan region and beyond.
The event was organised by the Creative Europe Desks – MEDIA Offices from Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, and Serbia, in cooperation with the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC), the Film Center of Montenegro, and the Film Center of Serbia, and supported by the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations in Cyprus.
Created to connect regional voices with international partners, Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way continues to serve as a unique platform for emerging creators to present their original TV series concepts to leading European industry experts, mentors and decision-makers. This year’s edition showcased an impressive selection of stories marked by emotional depth, creative courage and strong international potential — reaffirming that the Western Balkans remain a dynamic source of original voices ready to reach global audiences.
This fifth edition marked a significant milestone for the initiative, with a record number of 47 applications submitted from six countries – the highest participation since the event’s launch. The growing interest and diversity of submissions once again reaffirm the strong creative potential of the region and its ability to tell stories with universal resonance. As noted by Martina Petrović, Head of the Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia and initiator of the event, Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way has grown into more than just a pitching platform — it has become “a movement that connects, inspires, and gives voice to the storytellers shaping a hopeful and more connected future.”
The Main Jury Award, worth 5,000 EUR, was presented to the Hungarian project Forsaken, written by Fruzsina Fekete. Presenting the award on behalf of the jury, Filson Ali said:
“The main pitch award of The Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way 2025 goes to a project that presented the best pitch and took us into the story in a clear and captive way. The project dives into the consequences of trauma at a young age, it’s about taking back agency from that trauma, which so far has defined this woman’s whole life. It is a raw and emotionally complex story where the two main characters stand on each side of the law, but on the same side of trauma, each needing to heal, they take responsibility in the only ways they can. The winner is 'Forsaken' by Fruzsina Fekete, and the jury wants to add that it’s a brave topic and we look very much forward to meeting these two women.”
The WIFTI Peace Prize, worth 3,000 EUR and provided by Damn Fool Productions, was presented by Wade Channell to the Croatian project You Can Always Come Back by Tena Gojić (creator) and Miljenka Čogelja (producer / Pipser). He shared the following statement:
“ I am honored to present the WIFTI Peace Prize. Women in Film and Television International was born in 1973, supporting women in the male-dominant film industry through connection, visibility, and knowledge. The Peace Prize was initiated in 2023 to recognize the work of remarkable women building a better world through the stories they tell. In his magisterial book, 'Exclusion and Embrace', Croatian theologian Miroslav Volf examines the nature of conflict and reconciliation. He notes that one common factor defines all parties to a conflict – each one thinks they are right and the other is wrong. Breaking through this impasse of exclusion – excluding the other, the other’s opinion, the other’s experience – this is a fundamental challenge to achieving peace in a fractured world. But how do we reach through that impasse? Without understanding, it is impossible. Storytellers take us into the hearts and lives of others, helping us to understand not only them, but also our own selves. And from that understanding, we can move beyond our own pains to build something better. The WIFTI Peace Prize for 2025 goes to You Can Always Come Back, by Tena Gojić and Miljenka Čogelja. Their story of hard choices forced by hard circumstances asks us to find our way to understanding – at a minimum – if not forgiveness for what society finds unforgivable. In our pain-encrusted world, this call to radical empathy is ultimately not only to come back, but to move forward toward peace. Thank you, ladies. I can’t wait to sit back and binge this series.”
The Beta Co-development Award was presented by Anna Rohde-Seyfried on behalf of Beta Film to the Croatian project Suspicious Circumstances by Daria Stilin (creator), Danijel Pek (producer / Antitalent) and Frank Spotnitz (producer / Big Light Productions, UK).
“Beta Film’s Development Award by the Content & Coproduction Team is granted to the series project with a clear creative vision, high international potential and a most promising pan-European set up. The fascinating story combines storytelling elements of a classical crime investigation interwoven with the mystical narrative of exploring a universal karma. We are looking forward to working together with Daria Stilin, Danijel Pek and Frank Spotnitz on the further development of Suspicious Circumstances and to dive deeper into the traps of reception of non-verbal communication about faith, love and hope.”
The Tutors’ Special Mentions were presented by Valeria Richter (screenwriter) and Helene Granqvist (producer) to two participants whose creative journeys stood out during the workshop week.
“The pitch coaches’ special mention for acknowledging the participants’ journeys during our week together goes to two projects this year. The first special mention goes to Vasiliki Lazaridou (writer, director) from Greece with Athena Tsunami. We gave this special mention because Vas truly embraced their pitch persona and voice for this project, exploring ways to connect their story and characters’ vibe to bring it out into the room so that we can get why sitting on a stone in Athens taking time to think might just be the change the world needs now. The second special mention goes to Darko Lungulov (writer, director) from Serbia with The Second for going deep and clarifying the main character’s journey and finding ways to bring out the deeper aspects of the story’s themes and how they resonate with today’s reality of the truth and facts which are threatened by fake news and realities. So, congratulations to both of you for embracing the big difference between crafting an excellent written text and crafting a spoken presentation. Thank you for your generosity in our collaboration.”
The EPI Scholarship, presented by Dina Rubanovitš on behalf of the Erich Pommer Institut (EPI), was awarded to You Can Always Come Back by creator Tena Gojić and producer Miljenka Čogelja (Pipser):
“EPI offers comprehensive training on the business and legal aspects of the European AV industry and supports gender parity through its female leadership programmes. This award will specifically entail participation at one of our training programmes in 2026 or one of our on-demand e-trainings. We are delighted to award the EPI training scholarship to 'You Can Always Come Back', a project about women driven by women that impressed us with its emotional depth and clear creative vision. Exploring the deeply human theme of motherhood, it tells a story that will resonate with audiences everywhere. Having a mother is something that connects every single person in the world. With its strong international ambition, ‘You Can Always Come Back' is a perfect fit for EPI’s training. This opportunity will give them a chance to connect with the EU AV industry, to discover co-production partnerships and to gain new skills and inspiration for the next step of the project.”
The Consultation Awards on behalf of Good Hand Film and TV were presented by Roosa Toivonen.
“Talking about low population countries and challenges that face creators with limited domestic markets and fewer opportunities, institutional barriers etc., we wanted also to offer consultation sessions from Good Hand Film and TV (a company in Finland), where Petri Kemppinen and myself as dramaturges and two other producers are consulting projects. We wanted to give two consulting awards to two projects – 'Uncarved' by Mile Božičević (screenwriter) from Croatia and producer Andri Óttarsen (Glassriver) from Iceland and 'Killing Isle' by Harry Ayiotis (creator, writer, director) from Cyprus – that are both also coming from low population countries that caught our eye. There is a lot you can do to bring them towards global prominence.”
The TV Beats Forum 2026 Accreditation was awarded to the Montengrin project Riders of the Mist by Ana Vujadinović Tomić (screenwriter) and Marko Jaćimović (producer / Giggling Goat Productions).
“This award goes to the project 'Riders of the Mist'. We think that dark humour and its intriguing premise is rooted in the real globally relevant coming-of-age genre, and the theme of a teenager dealing with coming to terms with death, loss and grief can, of course, resonate far beyond the Balkan and Adriatic market.”
The Series Mania Forum 2026 Accreditation was presented by Coline Garbage on behalf of Series Mania Forum to the project Forsaken by screenwriter Fruzsina Fekete:
“On behalf of Series Mania, we are pleased to offer an accreditation to 'Forsaken'. We were truly captivated by the story — it’s compelling and full of potential — and we’re eager to see how the next steps of this project unfold! We also noticed that you haven’t attended Séries Mania before, so this will be a great opportunity for you to meet industry professionals and discover the event in Lille next March. Congratulations once again, and we look forward to welcoming you to Series Mania Forum 2026!”
Heartfelt congratulations go to all the winners and participants of Series Rough Pitch – The Balkan Way 2025 for their inspiring pitches, creative ambition and dedication to storytelling.
A special thank-you goes to the jury members for their professionalism, insight and generosity in sharing their expertise: Filson Ali (WIFT Sweden Board Member, CAMERA X co-funder, creative producer / European Producers Club), Anna Rohde-Seyfried (International Creative Executive / Beta Group Content & Coproduction), Roosa Toivonen (Co - Head / TV Beats Forum / Good Hand Film and TV ), Dina Rubanovitš (Director Strategy and Business Development / Erich Pommer Institut), Coline Garbage (Co-Pro Pitching Sessions & IP Market Project Manager) and Wade Channell (CEO / Damn Fool Productions). Their thoughtful engagement and contribution were essential in shaping this year’s selection of winners.
Warm thanks are also extended to the tutors, Valeria Richter and Helene Granqvist, for their dedicated mentorship and support throughout the pitching workshop.
Finally, sincere thanks go to all partners and supporters: the Creative Europe MEDIA Desks from Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro and Serbia, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, the Film Center of Montenegro, the Film Center of Serbia, Beta Film, Damn Fool Productions, the Erich Pommer Institut, Good Hand Film and TV, TV Beats Forum, Series Mania Forum, and the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations in Cyprus, whose collaboration and support made this year’s event possible.
