The French Embassy in Sarajevo and the French Institute are, for the second year in a row, the main sponsors of the OFF Pro Film Market. France’s commitment to culture and film in Bosnia and Herzegovina is clearly evident through strong financial support for OFF Pro Film Market activities and efforts to strengthen ties between French film professionals—especially producers and distributors—and their colleagues from the Western Balkans.
As the largest platform for short film development in the region, OFF Pro Film Market has been recognized as a place where the French Embassy, as a key partner, can connect this part of Europe not only with France but with the rest of the continent as well. The positive practice from the previous year demonstrated the success of this type of project, showing positive outcomes and tangible progress in fulfilling its mission.
The Director of the Youth Film Festival Sarajevo, Kenan Music, expressed immense gratitude to the French Embassy and Institute, as well as to everyone involved in this important project, especially given the significance of the short film format and its general neglect. “With the support of France, OFF Pro Film Market is definitely progressing on its path to giving short film in the region the position it enjoys in France and the rest of Europe. Like last year, OFF Pro Film Market will, through French sponsorship, host French producers in Sarajevo who will be part of the industry program, primarily the co-production market and the Producers Hub.”
The market opens on July 20 and will feature a daily program of OFF Talks, masterclasses, forums, one-on-one meetings, and numerous networking events and business opportunities on the sidelines of the market. This year, the market is expected to provide around €15,000 in co-production support and five additional service-based awards. It is important to highlight that this is one of the few, if not the only, short film markets in Europe with dedicated financial funds.
France’s role in sustaining the market is one of the most significant and substantial that the Festival has received since its founding. Due to France’s positive example from 2024, many European countries that previously had no such cooperation with Sarajevo are now, through OFF, following the same example and working jointly with OFF Pro Film Market to strengthen relationships and create a better environment for co-productions.
In 2025, in addition to being the market’s main sponsor, France will also host a reception, two panel programs, and a series of activities for participants in the Youth Film Festival Sarajevo’s industry initiative.
