For the first time, Bulgaria’s audiovisual and film industry participated in the New Europe Market (NEM) in Zagreb, Croatia. The successful trade mission was organized by the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), with the goal of integrating Bulgarian companies into the global network within the industry.

The trade mission was part of Activity 6 “Organizing, conducting, and participating in trade missions for Bulgarian SMEs abroad” under Project BG16RFPR001-1.002-0001 titled “Implementation of measures for the internationalization of Bulgarian SMEs through the support of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA)”, within the Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises Program 2021-2027.

The following companies from the Bulgarian audiovisual and film industry participated in the prestigious trade mission:

• Incandescent Distribution Ltd.
• Agitprop Ltd.
• Art Uinar Ltd.
• Bazuka Ltd.
• Concept Studio Ltd.

NEM Zagreb 2024 was held for the fourth time, focusing on television series and film production in Central and Eastern Europe. The first day of the international conference featured inspiring panel discussions, a co-production gathering event, and a welcome speech by the Croatian State Secretary, Krešimir Partl.

Bulgaria had a prominent presence at NEM Zagreb 2024. Martichka Bozhilova, producer of Agitprop Ltd., and lead scriptwriter Teodora Markova, presented the series project „Gold War„, a sports drama dedicated to the role of talented Bulgarian athletes as “weapons” during the Cold War between the Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics in the 1980s.

The participation of Bulgarian companies in this international film industry forum, with the support of BSMEPA, helped expand international partnerships with leaders in television production and opened up opportunities for funding and successful realization of film projects. During NEM Zagreb 2024, a competition was held for the best project in two categories:

• Best project in the pre-development stage (including scripted series, entertainment formats, scripted feature films, and documentary series/feature films)
• Council of Europe Award for Co-Production Development of Series.

During the trade mission, the Bulgarian SMEs also visited the Bulgarian Embassy in Zagreb, where they were welcomed by H.E. Iva Kruleva, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Croatia, and Mirela Taseva, Advisor and Head of the Trade and Economic Affairs Office. Bulgarian audiovisual and film industry representatives had the opportunity to meet with local organizations, exchange experience, share best practices, and lay the foundation for future collaboration with interested parties in the field. The event at the Bulgarian Embassy was also attended by Vjera Matković, Head of the Audiovisual Activities and Promotion of Entrepreneurship in Cultural and Creative Industries Department at the Ministry of Culture and Media of Croatia.

The program of the trade mission also included a lecture on the topic: „Legal and Tax Consequences and Opportunities for Filming in the Republic of Croatia,“ hosted by the Bulgarian Embassy in Zagreb.

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Project BG16RFPR001-1.002-0001
„Implementation of Measures for the Internationalisation of Bulgarian SMEs through Support for the Activities of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency“ under the „Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises“ Programme 2021-2027

This document was created with the financial support of the „Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises“ Programme 2021-2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The entire responsibility for the content of the document lies with the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency and under no circumstances can it be assumed that this document reflects the official position of the European Union and the Managing Authority.