Brits battle -35 degree temperatures to do business in Serbia

Battling the worse weather in 27 years, Pact and a small UK delegation arrived in Serbia on a creative UK mission in early February.  The mission was supported and funded by the UKTI and the British Embassy who provided a platform to showcase British content to over 60 broadcasters, advertising agents and producers.  Joining Pact on this trip were BBC Worldwide, Hat Trick International, Shed Media and Shine International.

Dawn McCarthy-Simpson who led the mission said “Serbia is not an obvious territory but from our latest exports report Eastern Europe as a whole is showing signs of growth.  Serbians are particularly fond of the (limited) range of UK television that is available there, particularly comedies (and sport).  I am aware that one or two UK film companies have also used Serbia as a filming location; Ralph Fiennes’ Coriolanus was shot there recently, for example” she added “the aim of this mission was to raise the appetite for UK content amongst the Serbian broadcasters”

Attending the showcase was Barbara Sandic, Executive Director for PFI Sudios.  PFI Studios is one of the newest and most modern studio complexes in Europe which offers full production services to local and international productions in the TV and Film industry. Several international formats are being produced and broadcast from the studios and two major international films Europa Corp’s “Lock Out” starring Guy Pearce and Film Nation Entertainment/Intrepid Pictures “The Raven” starring John Cusack, were filmed at their studios in the past two years.

“Serbia has been actively developing a production friendly environment for the film and TV industry in the past several years. So we are always happy to welcome international industry professionals to discuss mutual goals and opportunities. The Pact and UK Trade & Investment Conference was an excellent opportunity to do just that –  to meet new colleagues, to exchange views and experiences and to discuss possible co productions and projects.”   Said Barbara Sandic, she continued

“UK content is very popular in Serbia, our sister company Pink TV has been broadcasting a Shine International format “Moment of Truth” for the past three years to excellent ratings and we are looking at other projects that might be interesting for our market. “Moment of Truth” is broadcast from sound stage 3 located on the PFI Studios  complex."