The EDU CUTS project was designed to support the mobility of young filmmakers from the Western Balkans and foster their professional growth through participation in workshops, festivals, and networking opportunities with filmmakers from across Europe. By promoting regional cooperation and establishing a sustainable framework for creative exchange, the project contributed to raising the quality and visibility of film production and distribution in the region.
Targeting young people aged 15–25, particularly high school students from film schools and underrepresented communities, EDU CUTS provided financial support for mobility, ensuring that talented individuals from diverse backgrounds could access development opportunities. Gender balance was also a key criterion in the selection process.
A major achievement of the project was the establishment of the EDU CUTS Network, a regional network of festivals and organisations dedicated to the educational and creative development of young filmmakers. Launched by four core partners from four countries, the network has since grown to include 12 organisations from 7 countries.
The project supported the mobility of 73 young talents who attended international youth film festivals across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
A total of sixteen workshops were delivered during the course of the project—two online, eight in person at film festivals in four countries, and six additional sessions in Skopje in response to high demand. The project also facilitated the production of two short films, created in Albania and North Macedonia as a direct outcome of mobility and workshop activities. A young director Jon Budina from Tirana, shot the short film "Mone" in July 2024, and a high school student Bojan Vasilev from Skopje shot the film "For Eva" in November 2024.
To further stimulate knowledge exchange, the project organised a four-day conference, EDU CUTS Talks, on the theme of "Fostering Youth Creativity," which took place in Skopje from 4 to 7 October 2024.
The project successfully completed all planned activities by 30 January 2025, leaving a strong foundation for continued cooperation and youth engagement in the creative industries.
Implementing partners of the EDU CUTS project: Association for Media Literacy Planet-M (MKD), Independent Film Centre Filmart (SER), Udruženje Mladih Umjetnika (BIH), NGO Podgorica Film Festival (MNE), and PriFilmFest – Prishtina International Film Festival (KOS).
The EDU CUTS project was supported by the British Council through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” project, funded by the European Union. CC4WBs aimed to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.