AGP Executive Report

Culture in Transition: Serbia’s theaters and film sector are pressing for leadership changes after the student movement’s election victory. Atelje 212 actors called for Ljubiša Ristić to resign, while unions at the National Theatre and Serbian National Theatre, and seven film associations, have also demanded departures. Festival Spending: Niš’s city-run International Film Festival cost about 30 million dinars, including nearly two million for two dinners. The event was launched as a rival to the traditional Niš Film Meetings, prompting criticism that public funds were used in a dispute with local actors. EXPO 2027: Belgrade’s three-month event will run under the theme “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All,” with more than 8,000 events planned. Organizers say new exhibition spaces will also support creative industries, culture and museums.

Culture Sector Shake-up: After Serbia’s election, staff at several cultural institutions are demanding leadership changes. At Belgrade’s Atelje 212, actors staged a warning strike and called for acting director Ljubiša Ristić to resign; theatre workers and film groups have also sought departures. Niš Festival Scrutiny: A city-run film festival cost about 30 million dinars, according to documents obtained by Južne vesti. Critics say it was set up to rival the traditional Niš Film Meetings, and question how public funds were spent. EXPO 2027: Belgrade’s three-month event, themed “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All,” is expected to feature more than 8,000 events. Organisers are promoting cultural and creative spaces alongside new tourism links with Greece.

Theatre: Actors at Belgrade’s Atelje 212 staged a warning strike and called for director Ljubiša Ristić to resign, delaying two performances. Meanwhile, Željko Mitrović has closed the Odeon Theatre, leaving 150 people without jobs and announcing further cuts across his media group. Education: Serbia’s incoming parliament includes dozens of academics, raising hopes for stronger university autonomy, more stable research funding and wider access to education. Remembering Novi Sad: As Serbia approaches the second anniversary of the railway station canopy collapse that killed 16 people, the tragedy remains a defining moment in the student movement’s campaign for accountability. Young Artists: Fourteen Serbian artists are among the participants in a Baku exhibition showcasing work by young creators from several countries.

Student Movement: The Student List’s election victory has ended 14 years of Serbian Progressive Party rule. Its representatives are now calling for senior officials to resign and for corruption investigations, including into the Novi Sad station canopy collapse that sparked the protests. Public Media: RTS director Manja Grcic has resigned amid questions over her diploma; the ENIC/NARIC qualifications centre says it played no part in recognizing it. Film Funding: Serbia’s production incentives face fresh scrutiny after director Srđan Dragojević publicized payment records. The Film Center of Serbia’s website lacks current details, and recent rule changes have raised questions about who can apply. Cinema: Stefan Đorđević’s Wind, Talk to Me won major honors at the Adriatic Film and TV Awards. Eurovision: Serbia is among 36 broadcasters confirmed for the 2027 contest in Burgas, Bulgaria, scheduled for May 11–15.

Student Movement: After its election victory, Serbia’s Student List called for senior police, security and prosecutorial officials to resign and demanded audits of public institutions and renewed corruption investigations, including into the Novi Sad station canopy collapse. Public Media: RTS director Manja Grcic resigned, calling for a smooth handover and continuity at the public broadcaster. Education: Parents at Belgrade’s “20 October” elementary school are demanding the principal’s resignation, citing lost lessons, teacher dismissals and disorganization. Film Funding: A report on the Film Center of Serbia raises questions about state film-production incentives, including this year’s payments and the lack of updated information on the center’s website. Culture Funding: Artists and civil society groups in Brussels protested a proposed 30% cut to the EU’s AgoraEU programme, warning it could mean fewer independent films, books and media outlets.

Student Movement: After its historic election win, Serbia’s student-backed list says its priorities include expanding education and innovation, but the new majority must wait for parliamentary mandates to be confirmed before taking office. October Salon: Belgrade’s 61st contemporary art exhibition has been pushed to November. Organizers say works from France could not arrive in time; its exhibitors and venues have yet to be announced. Public Broadcasting: RTS director Manja Grcic has resigned, citing the need for a smooth continuation of the public broadcaster’s work. Remembering Petar Đurić: The pioneering Radio Television Belgrade journalist and documentary editor has died at 93. His decades of work included series on the Adriatic, religious communities and migration. Expo 2027: Italy’s Marche region will showcase its culture, tourism, sport and food at the Belgrade exhibition, themed “Playing for Humanity: Sports and Music for All.”

Student Movement: Serbia’s student-backed list has won a parliamentary majority after nearly two years of protests, turning a campus movement into a force now tasked with forming a government. Novak Djokovic praised students for their resilience and said their victory had restored pride and hope. Election Aftermath: At least 14 people were arrested after an attack on election celebrations in Ub left a student and another person seriously injured, according to local media. Broadcasting Legacy: Petar Đurić, an early Radio Television Belgrade journalist and editor known for decades of documentary work, has died in Belgrade aged 93. Documentary Film: Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić’s To Hold a Mountain won the Eastern Europe competition at Romania’s Astra Film Festival.

Youth & Society: Serbia’s student-backed movement has won a historic parliamentary victory, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s long rule and putting its grassroots assemblies to the test of governing. The result resonated onstage too: actors at Belgrade’s Atelier 212 celebrated during a performance, while the National Theatre of Serbia’s ballet dancers shared a jubilant rehearsal video. Novak Djokovic praised the students’ perseverance and said he was “very satisfied” with the result. Film & Festivals: Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić’s documentary To Hold a Mountain won the Eastern Europe competition at Romania’s Astra Film Festival; Vlad Petri’s film took the top prize in the Romania competition. Serbian youth drama Until the Day Ends, set amid anti-government protests, also drew notice for its restless, street-level style. Media & Culture: Serbian media and civil-society groups have asked the regulator to begin proceedings to revoke TV Informer’s broadcasting licence, citing alleged repeated breaches of media rules and election regulations.

Film & Society: Jelena Maksimović’s Until the Day Ends brings a restless, street-level view of Serbian youth protests, following two young people drawn together despite their political differences. Belgrade on Screen: Basketball drama Import, shot in Belgrade, follows an injured American player chasing a place with Partizan and finding work with a nurse serving migrants; it is now in post-production. Youth & Politics: The student-backed list won 52.7% of the vote, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s 14-year grip on power after protests sparked by the Novi Sad station disaster. The movement now faces the challenge of forming a government and delivering on promises to fight corruption and improve public services. Education: Čačak Gymnasium director Katarina Majstorović has resigned after staff and graduates objected to her appointment, saying the school community’s choice was ignored.

Student Movement: Serbia’s student-led Student List won about 53% of the vote, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s 14-year rule after nearly two years of protests sparked by the Novi Sad station canopy collapse that killed 16 people. The movement’s campaign focused on fighting corruption, strengthening institutions and improving education; its next challenge is turning that mandate into lasting change. Serbian Language: “Studentoslovlje,” a newly coined word describing a lasting lesson in togetherness, democracy and perseverance, was chosen as the public’s favourite new Serbian word. Its selection came before the Student List’s election victory, but the word has since taken on added resonance.

Student Movement: Serbia’s student-backed “Students Are Winning” slate took about 52.7% in preliminary results, and Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat. The victory follows two years of protests sparked by the Novi Sad station collapse, which killed 16 people. The movement now faces the challenge of forming a government, with its choice of prime minister still unclear. Film Sector: Serbia’s film directors’ association urged staff at cultural institutions to preserve official records, amid allegations over the Film Center’s handling of funding and filmmaking competitions. Serbian Cinema: Stefan Đorđević’s Wind, Talk to Me won major honors at the 2026 Adriatic Film and TV Awards.

Political Change: Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat after Serbia’s student-led Student List won a projected parliamentary majority, with turnout near 70%. The movement grew from protests over corruption and the Novi Sad station disaster and has called for cleaner government and better education. Serbian Cinema: Stefan Đorđević’s Wind, Talk to Me was the night’s biggest winner at the Adriatic Film and TV Awards, taking Best Film, Best Director and Best Debut Film. Andrija Kuzmanović won Best Leading Actor for Yugo Florida. Belgrade Book Fair: This year’s fair has about 100 fewer exhibitors than last year, with publisher Clio among those absent.

Election Day: Turnout in Serbia’s snap parliamentary vote reached 46.4% by 2 p.m., well ahead of the 2023 pace, as students mounted their strongest challenge yet to Aleksandar Vučić. Reports of incidents and breaches of voting rules clouded the day. Belgrade Book Fair: The 69th fair drew notably sparse crowds on Saturday, with major publishers absent; the approaching election may have kept visitors away. Culture and Expo 2027: The Culture Ministry selected 58 projects from 271 submissions for the Belgrade exhibition, but the jury’s members have not been disclosed. Press Freedom: Media groups called for police and prosecutors to act over continuing threats against Radar journalists and their families.

Serbia Votes: Polls opened Sunday in a snap election, with a student-backed list challenging Aleksandar Vučić after nearly two years of protests sparked by the Novi Sad station collapse that killed 16 people. Belgrade Book Fair: The 69th fair drew strikingly smaller crowds than in 2018, according to a local report, which pointed to election-day distractions and the absence of major publishers. Culture Under Strain: A Southeast European culture research centre says more than 20 festivals have stopped or gone unfunded, while the Film Center of Serbia has not issued film co-funding calls for nearly two years. On Screen: Serbian actor Jovan Ginic won Best Actor at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival for his role in After Three Weeks.

Serbian Film: Actor Jovan Ginic won Best Actor at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival for After Three Weeks, directed by Miroslav Terzić. Pride in the Media: A study found N1 devoted two and a half times more airtime to Pride than RTS from 2016 to 2024, while RTS interviewed more parade participants. Belgrade Music: Grammy-winning guitarist Tommy Emmanuel will perform at the Sava Centre on November 8. Culture Funding: Researchers at CESK say more than 20 festivals have closed or gone unfunded, while the Film Centre of Serbia has gone nearly two years without issuing film-funding calls. Book Fair: Belgrade’s fair is set to have about 100 fewer exhibitors than last year, with publisher Clio among those absent.

Election Watch: Serbia votes on Sunday in a high-stakes contest between Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling party and a student-led movement born from protests over the Novi Sad station disaster. The campaign has been marked by reports of pressure, surveillance and threats, while observers warn of an uneven playing field. Culture Under Pressure: A new CESK report says more than 20 festivals have been cancelled or shut down for lack of funding, while the Film Center of Serbia has gone nearly two years without issuing film-financing calls. Book Fair: Clio and other independent publishers are again boycotting Belgrade’s Book Fair, citing unchanged exhibitor fees and a lack of publisher representation in its management. Education: New PISA results show Serbian 15-year-olds falling further behind, with many below basic proficiency in reading, maths and science. Research Links: The EU and Western Balkan partners agreed to deepen research and innovation cooperation, with plans for stronger career support and a joint action plan.