Serbian Filmmakers Call Out “State-Sponsored Censorship” in Open Letter

Serbian film associations accuse Belgrade officials of "open hostility" towards filmmakers critical of the government. Meeting of the Serbian Film Association ©Djordje-Arambasic Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Serbia’s leading film guilds and professional associations have issued an urgent appeal to the international film community, warning that the country’s cinema sector is facing what they describe as a “complete institutional blockade.” In an open letter addressed to international colleagues and European public funding bodies (see below), eight representative organizations — including the Association of Film Producers of Serbia (UFPS), the Serbian Film Directors’ Guild (AFRS), DokSerbia – Documentary Filmmakers of Serbia, the Screenwriters Guild of Serbia (USS), the Serbian Society of Cinematographers (SAS), the Association of Film Artists of Serbia (UFUS), the Union of Film Animators of Serbia (UFAS), the Association of Film Actors of Serbia (UFGS) and the Association of Film and Television Sound Designers of Serbia (UDZS) — allege a coordinated campaign of state-sponsored censorship and systemic obstruction of film financing. Related Stories Movies Juliette Binoche Set for CPH:DOX as Copenhagen Doc Fest Unveils Full Program, "A Double Take on a World Gone Mad" Movies Berlin: German-Israeli FutureNarrative Fund Launched “The Serbian film industry is currently facing a coordinated campaign of state-sponsored censorship,” the groups write. “While [national film body] Film Center Serbia continues to project a ‘business as usual’ image internationally, the reality is a total freeze on funding calls designed to starve independent production.” According to the letter, the Film Center of Serbia has not announced public funding calls for more than 14 months, despite having funds allocated in its budget. The associations argue that this failure violates Serbian law and effectively halts new film production by blocking access to legally mandated competitions. The groups further accuse the Ministry of Culture of hostility toward the sector, alleging that filmmakers have been publicly branded as “anti-Serbian” and that cultural investment has been characterized as “wasted” funding. They claim political interference, informal blacklists and public attacks on artists have become systemic, and that filmmakers critical of authorities are being denied access to public financing regardless of professional track record or international recognition. The letter also alleges that domestic projects have been excluded from accessing public tax incentives and that previously approved cash rebate obligations to local and foreign investors remain unpaid. Leadership positions within film and cultural institutions, the associations say, have been filled by political appointees without professional qualifications, serving primarily as “gatekeepers and censors.” “These practices represent a serious violation of artistic freedom, transparency, and the rule of law,” the organizations write, calling on international partners to raise concerns “until lawful, transparent, and independent institutional film practices are restored.” The calls from the Serbian film community come as pressure grows on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucichas amid widespread anti-corruption protests. The student-led demonstrations were sparked by a November 2024 train station disaster that killed 16 people and became a symbol of entrenched corruption in the country. The protests have led to the resignation of Serbia’s prime minister and the formation of a new government coalition, but Vucic has remained defiantly in office. You can read the open letter in full below: Urgent Appeal from the Serbian Film CommunityDear Members of the International Film Community, We are reaching out on behalf of the representative associations of Association of Film Producers of Serbia (UFPS), Serbian Film Directors’ Guild (AFRS), DokSerbia – Documentary Filmmakers of Serbia, Screenwriters Guild of Serbia (USA), Serbian Society of Cinematographers (SAS), Association of Film Artists of Serbia (UFUS), Union of Film Animators of Serbia (UFAS), Association of Film Actors of Serbia and Association of Film and Television Sound Designers of Serbia (UDZS) to inform you of the alarming situation of cinema in Serbia. The Serbian film industry is currently facing a coordinated campaign of state-sponsored censorship. While Film Center Serbia continues to project a “business as usual” image internationally, the reality is a total freeze on funding calls designed to starve independent production. Instead of supporting the industry, the Ministry of Culture exercises open hostility, publicly branding filmmakers as “anti-Serbian” and labe