For the Third Consecutive Year, Heartefact Takes a Group of Young People from Serbia to DokuFest

Reconnection News

For the third consecutive year, Heartefact organized a visit to DokuFest, the international documentary and short film festival in Prizren, which took place from August 8 to 11. This year’s group from Serbia consisted of young professionals and authors working in film directing, dramaturgy, journalism, and culture.

During their visit to Prizren, the participants had an opportunity to explore the city and meet local cultural actors. We spoke with DokuFest Executive Director Linda Llulla Gashi about the festival’s history, its production, and the current program of its landmark 25th edition. Vatra Abrashi, co-founder of Autostrada Biennale, presented the platform’s work to date, exhibitions, and most significant collaborations. This contemporary art platform connects international artistic practices with the local context.

In addition to attending full days of film screenings and panels addressing topics such as dealing with the past, the economy, and wars, the participants attended a masterclass by Sophie Fiennes, one of the United Kingdom’s most highly regarded documentary filmmakers, as well as a concert by young Irish artist Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil. The participants also took part in a special film screening and discussion with director and writer Mark Cousins, who spoke about the significance and history of documentary film.

We concluded the program with a meeting with alumni of our Kosovo–Serbia Network, Bengi Muzbeg of the Lumbardhi Foundation and Tevfik Rada of Pykë-Presje. They highlighted the importance of the Lumbardhi Cinema, which is currently undergoing reconstruction, and presented the work of their respective organizations. The meeting helped the young participants from Serbia gain a deeper understanding of Kosovo’s local cultural and political context.

Through these ongoing visits, Heartefact continues to provide young people from Serbia and Kosovo with opportunities to meet, engage in dialogue, and exchange experiences, with the aim of fostering greater mutual understanding and stronger cultural ties. Through meetings with artists, film screenings, visits to local cultural institutions, and opportunities to explore Prizren, the participants in Heartefact’s visiting program gained a better understanding of the role of the independent cultural scene in creating space for dialogue and cooperation.

The program was implemented within the project Fostering Cross-border Dialogue and Civic Engagement, carried out by Heartefact with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

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Young Artists and Activists from Serbia Visited Festivals in Pristina and Prizren as Part of Heartefact’s Visiting Program

As part of Heartefact’s Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, we organized a visit in early August to festivals in Pristina and Prizren for a group of young artists and activists from Serbia. During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to attend three major cultural events in Kosovo – the 24th edition of the DokuFest International Documentary Film Festival in Prizren, the 6th edition of the Sunny Hill music festival in Pristina, and the 5th edition of the Autostrada Biennale, an international contemporary art festival.

OPEN CALL: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

Public presentation of the play Doughnuts held as part of the New Voices workshop

On Sunday, July 6, a public presentation of the play Doughnuts (Buhtle) was held at Heartefact House, marking the conclusion of the four-day Playground for New Voices workshop. The workshop took place within the European project Fabulamundi: New Voices, which Heartefact implements with partners from nine European countries. It was led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, in collaboration with emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac, the acting ensemble, and translator Olja Petronić.

Exploring and developing contemporary drama through process: Doughnuts by Jelena Krdžavac in the spotlight of the Playground workshop

As part of the Fabulamundi project, implemented by Heartefact in collaboration with partners from nine European countries, the Playground workshop is taking place in Belgrade from July 3 to 6. Led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, the workshop brings together a cast of actors and emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac to explore and further develop her play Doughnuts (Buhtle), which was shortlisted in last year’s Heartefact Competition for Best Contemporary Socially Engaged Drama.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

An exceptional response—totaling 273 applications—reflects the critical position of the cultural sector in Serbia in the context of the current political and social climate. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, 22 projects have been selected for support, with a total budget of 21,500,000.00 RSD. Although this amount exceeds the originally planned budget for this call, we believe that, amid the ongoing crisis and with public calls for cultural funding either canceled or indefinitely postponed, such support is more necessary than ever.

Artistic Residency and Public Presentation of Gaelle Axelbrun’s Play Held as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, an artistic residency of French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun took place at Heartefact House in Belgrade, as part of the European project Playground. During this intensive seven-day working period, Gaelle, together with director Tara Manić, translator Olja Petronić, and the acting ensemble—Nevena Kočović, Jana Bjelica, and Andrej Nježić—explored the dramaturgical and performative potential of her play Far from the Mud in Which We Sink into Sleep.

Residency of French Author Gaelle Axelbrun in Belgrade as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, the Heartefact House in Belgrade will host a residency for French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun as part of the European project Playground. This intensive seven-day residency, organized by Heartefact, is part of an international collaboration focused on the development of contemporary dramatic texts by emerging European authors.

First Seminar for Youth from Serbia Held as Part of the Regional VIBE Program

From June 20 to 22, 2025, Heartefact organized a three-day seminar for young people from Serbia in Belgrade as part of the regional program VIBE – Connecting Young People. The program brings together youth from Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchange. Designed as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection, it focuses on human rights, regional cooperation, the shared history of the region, and reflections on the future that young people wish to shape through activism and civic engagement.