The second thematic section was dedicated to cross‑border cooperation, knowledge exchange and the resilience of the festival sector. Representatives of the networks emphasized the importance of collaborative learning, sharing professional expertise and co‑developing models that strengthen organisational capacities and the long‑term stability of festivals. Special emphasis was placed on the qualitative impacts of festivals and their networkd – outcomes that often unfold gradually, are difficult to quantify, yet play a vital role in driving medium‑ and long‑term, multi‑layered change within the European audiovisual sector. These include professional development, the emergence of new audiences, greater inclusion, and broader community and cultural impacts that are crucial for the future of the sector. Such impacts frequently materialise with a time lag, but they play a decisive role in shaping more resilient, connected and impactful festival ecosystems.
Both thematic areas were examined through the lens of innovation, which was defined as new approaches through which festivals connect people, facilitate the circulation of films, share knowledge, and sustain cultural communities. In this context, innovation goes beyond mere technology – it encompasses collaborative practices, audience-centered approaches, and organizational models that strengthen the relevance, accessibility, resilience, and long-term sustainability of festivals in a rapidly changing environment.
The professional portion of the meeting was attended by 10 representatives from all five networks:
- Niels Putman, European Network for Film Discourse (The END) / Talking Shorts (coordinator)
- Peter Cerovšek and Matevž Jerman, Kraken, Ljubljana Short Film Festival – FeKK (partner)
- Nicoletta Romeo and Monica Goti, Moving Images – Open Borders (MIOB) / Trieste Film Festival (partner)
- Sandra Brunkow Simonsen, Northern Animation Network (NAN) / Viborg Animation Festival (coordinator)
- Franka Bihar, Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region (NFAR) / Zagreb Film Festival (partner)
- Simon Popek, NFAR / Ljubljana International Film Festival – Liffe (partner)
- Tanja Hladnik and Ana Cerar, Young Programmers for Young Audiences (Young4Film) / Kino Otok – Isola Cinema (coordinator)
Public roundtable: exchange, insight and community well‑being
The public roundtable “In Festival Networks: Creative Connections Among the Film Communities of the Future” (that took place on 11 June as an open segment of the two-day event) served as a platform for the interested festival and professional public to join the representatives of festival networks and hear their experiences and insights. The focus was on transferable practices that festivals can apply in various contexts, as well as the importance of understanding and engaging with audiences as the foundation for developing relevant, accessible, and sustainable programs. The discussion also raised the issue of the well-being of teams and audiences, as caring for mental health is increasingly recognized as part of contemporary festival responsibility and one of the elements of the sector’s long-term resilience.
The discussion was moderated by Sabina Briški Karlić, head of the MEDIA sub-program at CED Slovenia (Motovila Institute).
The event was co-organized by Motovila – CED Slovenia and partner CED MEDIA Desks from Belgium (Flanders), Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Croatia, Italy (Turin), Lithuania, and Germany (Berlin–Brandenburg), in collaboration with the Kino Otok – Isola Cinema festival.
Participants rated the meeting as exceptionally valuable: “The future of European arthouse cinema depends on our joint strategies and cultural policies… Thank you for the stimulating insights.” “Thank you for the food for thought – I will certainly treasure it.”
The meeting in Izola highlighted the ongoing role of the CED network as connectors within the European film landscape and supported the emergence of new collaborative approaches among European film festivals.
