20/02/2026 - Leading Serbian film associations accuse Belgrade officials of “open hostility” towards filmmakers critical of the government, warning of a systemic blockade on the country’s cinema sector

Serbia’s most prominent film guilds and professional associations have issued an urgent appeal to the international film community, claiming 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, eight representative organisations – 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 state-sponsored censorship and systemic obstruction of film financing.

“The Serbian film industry is currently facing a coordinated campaign of state-sponsored censorship,” the letter states. “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.”

According to the associations, Film Center Serbia has not announced public funding calls for more than 14 months, despite having budgeted funds available. They argue this failure violates Serbian law and effectively halts new film production by blocking access to legally mandated competitions.

The letter further accuses the Ministry of Culture of open hostility towards the sector, claiming that filmmakers have been publicly branded as “anti-Serbian” and that cultural investment has been characterised as “wasted” funding. Political interference, informal blacklists and public attacks on artists are described as systemic, with filmmakers critical of authorities systematically denied access to public financing regardless of professional experience or international recognition.

Domestic projects, the associations claim, have been excluded from accessing public tax incentives, while previously approved cash rebate obligations to local and foreign investors remain unpaid. Leadership positions within cultural institutions, they allege, have been filled by political appointees without professional qualifications, acting primarily as “gatekeepers and censors”.

“These practices represent a serious violation of artistic freedom, transparency and the rule of law,” the organisations write. “We call on international partners and European public funding institutions to raise their concerns until lawful, transparent and independent institutional film practices are restored.”

The open letter comes amid heightened political tension in Serbia, as President Aleksandar Vučić faces ongoing anti-corruption protests sparked by a November 2024 train-station disaster that killed 16 people. The protests led to the resignation of Serbia’s prime minister and the formation of a new government coalition, but Vučić remains in office.

Film Center Serbia was contacted for comment on the allegations but has not responded yet.