Eight projects participated, selected out of a total of 47 received projects. The call was open to participants from Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, and Serbia.
The jury included Anna Rohde (International Creative Executive / Beta Group Content & Coproduction), Roosa Toivonen (Co - Head / TV Beats Forum), Coline Garbage (Co-Pro Pitching Sessions & IP Market Project Manager / Series Mania Forum), Wade Channell (CEO / Damn Fool Productions), Filson Ali (WIFT Sweden Board Member), and Dina Rubanovitš (Director Strategy and Business Development / Erich Pommer Institut).
Before the public pitch, participants took part in an online preparation workshop (20–25 October 2025) guided by Valeria Richter and Helene Granqvist.
“This fifth edition marks an important milestone for Series Rough Pitch - The Balkan Way, with a record 47 applications from six countries. The growing interest and diversity of stories reaffirm the immense creative energy of our region and its power to tell stories with universal resonance. The Balkan Way has grown into more than just a pitching event - it’s a movement that connects, inspires, and gives voice to the storytellers shaping a hopeful and more connected future", Martina Petrović, Head of Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia and initiator of Series Rough Pitch - The Balkan Way told FNE.
The event is initiated by the CED – MEDIA Office Croatia (Martina Petrovic – Head of Office), and co-organised by the Creative Europe MEDIA Offices in Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, and Serbia. It is also recognised and supported by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Centre of Montenegro, Film Center Serbia, and the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations in Cyprus.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Main Jury Award:
Forsaken (Hungary)
Written by Fruzsina Fekete
WIFTI Peace Prize:
You Can Always Come Back (Croatia)
Created by Tena Gojić
Produced by Pipser
Beta Co-development Award:
Suspicious Circumstances (Croatia, UK)
Created by Daria Stilin
Produced by Antitalent, Big Light Productions
Tutors’ Special Mentions:
Athena Tsunami (Greece)
Written and directed by Vasiliki Lazaridou
The Second (Serbia)
Written and directed by Darko Lungulov
EPI (Erich Pommer Institut) Scholarship:
You Can Always Come Back (Croatia)
Created by Tena Gojić
Produced by Pipser
Consultation Awards:
Uncarved (Iceland)
Written by Mile Božičević
Killing Isle (Cyprus)
Created, written and directed by Harry Ayiotis
TV Beats Forum 2026 Accreditation:
Riders of the Mist (Montenegro)
Written by Ana Vujadinović Tomić
Produced by Giggling Goat Productions
Series Mania Forum 2026 Accreditation:
Forsaken (Hungary)
Written by Fruzsina Fekete
Click HERE to see the press release and HERE for the list of participants.
