Program 2025

17:00
WELCOME RECEPTION: Sky Tower, 18th floor.

WELCOME RECEPTION: Sky Tower, 18th floor.

10:00

PANEL – BRIDGING BORDERS: Coproduction and distribution opportunities for the Western Balkan countries and broader Europe

PARTICIPANTS: Bastien Ehouzan Kidam FR, Manuela Buono Slingshot Films  IT

Genc Përmeti SkaNdal  AL, Gaia Longobardi Kino Produzioni  IT , Dejan Krajchevski Krug Film NM

11:00

PANEL – BEYOND TRADITIONAL FILM FUNDING: The Role of Angel Investors and Venture Capital in Financing the Audiovisual Industry

PARTICIPANTS: Max Gurvits Vitosha Venture Partners, Rafaela Rica Iceberg Communication, Ravik Mima Keiretsu Forum Southeast Europe, Anna Huth Team4Set

12:00

Special EVENT – Signature of Agreement between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sports, Albanian National Center of Cinematography and Municipalities of Vlora and Gjirokastra.

in the Presence of Mr. Blendi Gonxhe Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sports, Jonid Jorgji-Chairman of ANCC, and Representatives of the Municipalities of Vlora and Gjirokastra.

PRESENTATION – New Initiatives and opportunities aimed at young filmmakers Office of Carrier of QKK Albania, “AI in my hand” aiming to discovering and promoting new talent in the audiovisual scene

PARTICIPANTS: Regina Vathi Albanian National Center of Cinematography, Arjan Ymeri Startup Albania, Tomi Kallanxhi Big Media Expert

13.00

LUNCH BREAK

15:00

PANEL – TALKING FILM: The Renewal of Industry of Film

Despite the dominance of digital medium, using film stock remains a critical choice for achieving a distinct cinematic look and ensuring the long-term preservation of cinematic art.

PARTICIPANTS:  Eljan Tanini Albanian National Film Archive, Gary Griffin cinematographer, Augusto Pelliccia Augustus Color, Ivan D’ambrozio producer

16:00

PANEL – FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN THE INDUSTRY

MODERATOR: Graziella Bildesheim (President of EWA)

Blerta Zeqiri Kosovo Cinematography Center, Rina Plaku Albanian Cinematography Center, Sabina Kodra Albanian Women in Audiovisual, Ana Pejova Producer N. Macedonian

18.00

OFFICIAL RECEPTION

Pyramid of Tirana – Orange Cube

10:00

PITCH BALKAN WORKSHOP – Rehearsal for Project Participants

with Luca Cabriolu mentor of Pitch Balkan

Sky Tower, 1st floor.

10:00

PANEL –  PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES between Balkans ans Italy
PARTICIPANTS: Luigi Chimienti Desparte, Andrea Lucietti La Sarraz Pictures, Diana Rulli Rulli Putorti

11:00

PANEL –  PRODUCING WITH SALES AND DICTRIBUTON IN MIND

PARTICIPANTS: Lydia Genchi No Mad Entertainment, Manuela Buono Slingshot Films  IT

12:00
PANEL – FESTIVALS, MARKETS, AND PROFESSIONAL INTERACTION

PARTICIPANTS: Oscar Iarusi BiFest, Matteo Pianezzi Figari Film Fest, Lum Çitaku Kosovo Cinematography Center

13:00

LUNCH BREAK

15:00

PANEL – HONING NEW RELATIONS: Collaboration within the Framework of Matera Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026

PARTICIPANTS:  Francesco Porcari Lucana Film Commission, Francesca Cristallo Matera Film Festival,  Andamion Murataj Balkan Film Market

16:00

PRESENTATION – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS FILM SCENE

PARTICIPANTS: Jonid Jorgji Albanian National Center of Cinematography, Blerta Zeqiri Kosovo Cinematography Center, Marko Eraković Film Centre of Montenegro, Sashko Micevski North Macedonian Film Agency,

18:00

OFFICIAL RECEPTION courtesy of Albanian National Center of Cinematography

Sky Tower, 18th floor

09:30

PITCH BALKAN: Presentation of Balkan Projects,

Moderated by Luca Cabriolu

11:15

COFFE BREAK

11:30

PITCH BALKAN – Presentation of Balkan Projects

Moderated by Luca Cabriolu

13.00

LUNCH

14:00

PITCH BALKAN: One-on-One Meetings

18:00

WRAP PARTY

OFFICIAL RECEPTION courtesy of  Embassy of Kosovo in Tirana & Kosovo Cinematography Center 

Sky Tower, 18th floor

DEPARTURES