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Adriatic Film and TV Awards: New Regional Honors Presented in Cannes

New awards recognizing the most significant regional film and television achievements in the territory of the former Yugoslavia were presented at the 78th Cannes Film Festival - the Adriatic Film and TV Awards.

The inaugural awards ceremony will be held from October 24 to October 26, 2025, at a prestigious venue: Porto Montenegro, Tivat, Montenegro, which serves as the event’s main partner.

The winners will be selected by the Adriatic Film and TV Academy, currently in formation, operating within the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region. This network was founded by the Sarajevo Film Festival, Zagreb Film Festival, and Auteur Film Festival from Belgrade.

The Adriatic Film and TV Awards build on the legacy of the Sarajevo Film Festival’s Heart of Sarajevo Awards for TV Series, which will no longer be held. The new concept expands the scope to include awards for film achievements as well.

The Academy will bring together more than 500 film and television professionals from the region, many of whom have previously served as jury members for the Heart of Sarajevo Awards for TV Series.

Voting will begin in June 2025, and the nominations will be announced during the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival, which takes place from August 15 to August 22, 2025.

The awards ceremony will gather leading regional talent, providing a platform for networking, experience-sharing, and the international promotion of regional cinema.

As the event’s main partner, Porto Montenegro has solidified its role as a cultural and creative epicenter of the Adriatic. In recent years, the luxury marina and residential village has expanded its offerings with the launch of Porto Montenegro Studios- a state-of-the-art complex featuring recording and filming facilities.

Developed in partnership with the Puccini Floating Academy, Porto Montenegro Studios is now connected to a global network of iconic music venues, recording studios, and renowned producers, offering both local and international talent world-class resources for content creation.
The strategic alignment with the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region reflects Porto Montenegro’s long-term commitment to supporting regional talent, innovation, and international promotion of the Adriatic’s cultural output.

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About the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region
The Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region (NFAR) is a Creative Europe MEDIA - supported alliance founded by the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2020 and is gathering six flagship festivals—Sarajevo Film Festival, Zagreb Film Festival, Herceg Novi Film Festival, Belgrade's Auteur Film Festival, Ljubljana International Film Festival, and the Manaki Brothers Film Festival. NFAR circulates high‑quality European films, nurtures new audiences, and upskills its member organisations by providing a safe collaborative space for festival organisers, pooling resources for data‑driven audience development, and piloting cutting‑edge digital exhibition technologies. Complementing this effort, the newly formed Adriatic Film & TV Academy promotes regional talent internationally, facilitates cross-sector networking, and offers structured mentorship programmes to accelerate professional growth—placing a strong spotlight on emerging and established talents across borders.

About Porto Montenegro
Located in the UNESCO-protected Bay of Kotor, Porto Montenegro is a luxury marina and lifestyle destination that has evolved into a regional hub for the creative industries. Beyond its world-class marina, residences, and hospitality, Porto Montenegro is home to Porto Montenegro Studios, a state-of-the-art recording and production complex developed in partnership with the Puccini Floating Academy, and linked to a global network of leading creative institutions.
In addition, Porto Montenegro hosts new cinemas operated by MCF CineGrand, which will form the epicenter of the Adriatic Film and TV Awards, alongside cultural landmarks such as the Tivat Cultural Centre. With curated public screenings, residencies, and industry programs, Porto Montenegro is uniquely positioned to support and promote film, music, and television talent from Southeast Europe to the world.