Less than a month away from the start of NEM Zagreb 2023, organizers revealed the full agenda of the event’s third edition filled with various novelties. Held from 6th till 8th December at Hotel Esplanade Zagreb, the event’s program will be rich with speaking sessions, screenings, networking and education opportunities, and several ways to honor the best content from CEE. Once again, NEM Zagreb 2023 will give the opportunity for CEE’s content creators from low-production capacity countries to connect with colleagues from high-production capacity countries. The goal is to create opportunities for new projects, jobs, co-production, content acquisitions within and outside the CEE, as well as investments by European or global streamers into CEE original content.

NEM Contest powered by HAVC, a competition that honors best screenwriting ideas, received more than 200 project applications across four categories: Scripted series, Scripted feature-length film, Documentary/Feature-length documentary film, and Non-scripted entertainment format.

At NEM Zagreb 2023, the best drama in CEE will also be announced. More than 25 applications were received, and some of the strong competitors that applied to the contest are BH Telecom, Czech Television, DANSU, Dramedy Productions, Drugi plan, Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), RTV Slovenija, Telekom Srbija, Polish Television (TVP).

Content Showcase platform will be used by successful European production houses who are enhancing the CEE market with their content as well as winning projects from Heart of Europe International TV Festival & Forum and Conecta FICTION & ENTERTAINMENT events. Additionally, Lee Hobbs, Senior Vice President, Discovery Networks and Creative Agency, EMEA, Warner Bros Discovery will present various fresh content from this premier global media and entertainment company.

As far as screenings go, HBO Max Europe is preparing an exclusive screening of their new biography documentary Apolonia, Apolonia. The talented Apolonia was born in an underground theater in Paris and grew up in an artists’ community—the ultimate bohemian existence. For more than 14 years, the documentary follows the artistic and personal growth of a young girl into a fascinating mature woman and respected painter. More details about the documentary will be revealed in a Q&A with Hanka Kastelicová, VP & Executive Producer of Documentaries, HBO Max Europe.

Also, Viaplay Select will exclusively screen Jana – Marked For Life. The six-part crime drama is adapted from Emelie Schepp's bestselling novel series and directed by the Oscar-nominated Felix Herngren (The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared) and Henrik Björn (Jordskott). The focus is on prosecutor Jana Berzelius who uncovers a chilling link to her own dark secrets after Sweden's top migration official is murdered. How long will she be able to hide her past life as a child soldier and killing machine?

The richness of the event will also be expanded by adding film to the discussion, starting with the panel How Will the Incorporation of AI Shape the Future of TV and Film Production? Many questions will be raised, such as whether AI can take on tasks such as analyzing scripts, creating visual effects, and making creative decisions in TV and film production.

What is done right and what aspects of original production in the CEE region done by national broadcasters are wrong? This important question will be raised during the panel CEE FTA Originals on the Global Map, sponsored by TVP.

Cultural regulations that can impact co-producing in the TV and film industry will be discussed during the panel Difference Between Corporation-led and State-led Co-production.

Challenges may also arise while adapting a book to a screenplay. The panel Book to Screen: Navigating the Unique Challenges of Book Adaptations in Film and TV is for those filmmakers who want to ensure their adaptation maintains the interest and appeal of the original book.

In the context of the obstacles and difficulties faced by applicants from countries with low production capacity, the focus of the panel - discussion TV series and Creative Europe MEDIA: Our Success Stories! will be on the challenges imposed by the MEDIA calls for countries that share limited territory, and unfavorable production conditions.

Another trend that will be discussed at NEM Zagreb 2024 is the rapid merger of the TV industry with the gaming industry. How effective are video game adaptations in making the transition to TV series? Panel Gaming and TV: A Match Made in Heaven or a Recipe for Disaster? will provide all the answers.

The future of co-production between high-production countries and CEE will be discussed during the panel High-production countries and CEE: How Can We Work Together?

With education as one of the goals of each NEM Zagreb edition, special workshops for top students coming from several regional Universities and Script surgery meant for NEM Contest finalists will be held several days before and during the main event. The three days of NEM Zagreb 2023 will also be filled with various networking events and opportunities to create new connections and enhance current ones - starting with a welcome reception sponsored by TVP and co-production lunch supported by Heart of Europe International TV Festival & Forum the next day. The agenda is also filled with several private networking events such as Private Pitching by Croatian Association of Independent Producers and NEM Contest Gathering powered by HAVC.

NEM Zagreb 2023 is co-funded by the European Union, through the Creative Europe MEDIA sub-program.