Telekom Srbija is shifting its strategy to focus on international partnerships and global distribution for its film and television content.
Key facts
- •Telekom Srbija has produced over 300 titles and 180 seasons of scripted drama in the last decade.
- •The company recently acquired Belgrade-based Firefly Studios to bolster its production infrastructure.
- •Telekom Srbija’s upcoming English-language thriller “Sanctuary” has been acquired for North America by Vertical.
- •Serbia offers a 25% cash rebate on local production spending to attract international projects.
- •The company’s streaming platform, MOVE, is being developed as a regional Balkan streaming service.
Telekom Srbija is positioning itself as a regional production hub for the former Yugoslavia, aiming to export local content and attract international projects to Serbia. Chief multimedia and content officer Aleksandra Martinović stated the company is focusing on deeper international connections and presenting the Serbian creative industry to the global market.
By the numbers
Strategic Shift in Production
Over the past decade, Telekom Srbija has produced more than 300 titles, including over 180 seasons of scripted drama. The company is now refining its strategy to produce fewer, more globally oriented shows, such as the crime drama “Scar” and the upcoming romantic dramedy “Crosscurrents.” This approach emphasizes international partnerships and distribution, building on previous successes like the spy thriller “Civil Servant,” which has been sold to platforms including Disney+ Hotstar and Globoplay.
Infrastructure and Expansion
To support its goal of becoming a regional “one-stop shop,” the company acquired the Belgrade-based Firefly Studios earlier this year. The firm is also investing in its streaming platform, MOVE, which it describes as a regional Balkan Netflix. These efforts leverage Serbia’s 25% cash rebate on local production spending and the availability of experienced local crews, which have recently supported international projects like the Fox Nation docudrama “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints.”
Addressing Industry Challenges
Telekom Srbija is currently developing an English-language, post-apocalyptic thriller titled “Sanctuary,” which Martinović describes as a significant risk and challenge regarding authenticity and financing. Amid reports of political turbulence in Serbia affecting the film and television industry, Martinović stated that the company remains focused on its strategy to support the broader Serbian creative industry by opening doors to international partners and markets.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Variety.
