16/11/2023 - Highlights include a series of showcases by leading companies, insightful panel discussions, the NEM Contest and Awards, and a new focus on film

Less than a month remains until the commencement of NEM Zagreb 2023, and the agenda for the event's third edition has been released. Scheduled to run from 6-8 December at the Hotel Esplanade Zagreb, the programme boasts a diverse range of activities, including speaking sessions, screenings, networking and educational opportunities, and special recognitions for outstanding content from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

NEM Zagreb aims to facilitate connections between content creators in low-production-capacity CEE countries and their counterparts in high-production-capacity nations. The primary objective is to foster opportunities for new projects, job opportunities, co-production ventures and content acquisitions within and beyond the CEE region, plus attract investments from European or global streaming platforms in original CEE content.

The NEM Contest, powered by HAVC and recognising outstanding screenwriting ideas, received over 200 project applications spanning four categories: Scripted Series, Scripted Feature-length Film, Documentary/Feature-length Documentary Film, and Non-scripted Entertainment Format. Additionally, the best in Central and Eastern European (CEE) drama will be unveiled at NEM Zagreb. The competition received more than 25 applications, with notable contenders including BH Telecom, Czech Television, DANSU, Dramedy Productions, Drugi plan, Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), RTV Slovenija, Telekom Srbija and Polish Television (TVP).

The Content Showcase platform will be utilised by accomplished European production houses contributing to the growth of the CEE market with their content. It will also feature winning projects from the Heart of Europe International TV Festival & Forum and Conecta FICTION & ENTERTAINMENT events. Moreover, Lee Hobbs, senior vice-president of Discovery Networks and Creative Agency, EMEA, at Warner Bros Discovery, will introduce a range of new content from the company.

In terms of screenings, HBO Max Europe is gearing up for the presentation of the biographical documentary Apolonia, Apolonia [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lea Glob
film profile]. Additionally, Viaplay Select will show off Jana – Marked For Life, a six-part crime-drama adapted from Emelie Schepp's best-selling series of novels and directed by the Oscar-nominated Felix Herngren (The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Henrik Björn.

Regarding the panel topics, which encompass AI, gaming, book adaptations and co-production, the event's depth will be further enriched by the inclusion of film in the discourse. This commences with the panel titled "How Will the Incorporation of AI Shape the Future of TV and Film Production?" Numerous avenues will be explored, including the feasibility of AI undertaking tasks such as script analysis, visual effects creation and decision-making in TV and film production. The panel "CEE FTA Originals on the Global Map", sponsored by TVP, will address the crucial question of what is being done correctly and incorrectly in original production by national broadcasters in the CEE region.

"The Difference Between Corporation-led and State-led Co-production" will delve into cultural regulations that may have an impact on co-production within the TV and film industry. Addressing the challenges encountered by applicants from nations with low production capacity, the panel discussion "TV Series and Creative Europe - MEDIA: Our Success Stories!" will specifically focus on the difficulties that MEDIA calls pose to countries sharing limited territory and facing unfavourable production conditions. Exploring the future of co-production between high-production countries and CEE, the panel "High-production Countries and CEE: How Can We Work Together?" will take the conversation on collaborative possibilities even further.

Adapting a book into a screenplay can pose various challenges. "Book to Screen: Navigating the Unique Challenges of Book Adaptations in Film and TV" is tailored to filmmakers seeking to preserve the interest and allure of the original book in their adaptations. Another topic set to be explored at NEM Zagreb is the rapid convergence of the TV and gaming industries. The effectiveness of transitioning video-game content into TV series will be scrutinised in "Gaming and TV: A Match Made in Heaven or a Recipe for Disaster?", offering insights into this ever-evolving intersection.

Each edition of NEM Zagreb prioritises education, featuring dedicated workshops for high-achieving students from various regional universities. Additionally, script-surgery sessions will be on the agenda for NEM Contest finalists in the days leading up to and during the main event.

NEM Zagreb 2023 receives co-funding from the European Union through the Creative Europe – MEDIA sub-programme. For further details, visit the NEM Zagreb website.