19-05-2017

FNE at Cannes 2017: EFP Producer on the Move: Jovana Nikolić, Serbia

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    BELGRADE: Jovana Nikolić is this year’s Serbian representative in the European Film Promotion’s Producers on the Move initiative. Nikolić works as a producer at her own production company Prababa, which she launched in 2007 in order to specialise in creative documentary filmmaking.

    Nikolić holds a PhD in Management and Production of Documentary Films from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade (2017) and is an alumna of the EAVE Producers Workshop (2012) and Berlinale Talents (2017). She is currently serving as President of the Board of DokSerbia, the Association of Documentary Filmmakers of Serbia.

    So far, Nikolić has produced two feature documentaries, The Caviar Connection (2008) directed by Dragan Nikolić and in coproduction with ITVS International, and The Undertaker (2013) directed by Dragan Nikolić and in coproduction with ZDF/Arte. She has also produced the short documentary National Park (2006) and a short animation documentary Lord of the Danube (2010), both directed by Dragan Nikolić and the latter in coproduction with WWF. The first three films all premiered at IDFA and The Caviar Connection received multiple awards at festivals around the world. Her current slate of projects includes the feature documentary Super Bishop by Dragan Nikolić (in production) and The Black Wedding, another feature documentary also directed by Dragan Nikolić and in development.

    When asked what she can provide as a coproduction partner, Nikolić said, "I am able to provide my coproduction partners with good stories, excellent talents and the specific know-how in the management and production of documentary films in an unfavorable environment for cultural development, as well as in international documentary production.”

    As sources of private funding to supplement grants and public funding in Serbia she lists "some very specific private funds that depend of the field of interest."

    Nikolić is hopeful when it comes to her expectations regarding distribution in her home territory even though she mostly distributes in Europe and the U.S. However, along with her fellow Serbian documentary filmmakers, she recently established DokSerbia, the Association of Documentary Filmmakers of Serbia. In that regard, she states, "we recognise as our close partners Film Center Serbia and the European Documentary Network. With their help we are trying to build systematic solutions for development in all fields of filmmaking in Serbia – it includes both production and distribution.”

    Contact:

    Jovana Nikolić
    PRABABA PRODUKCIJA
    Bul. Zorana Djindjica 153
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Mobile: +381 60 0250009
    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    Web: www.prababa.rs

    Filmography:

    The Caviar Connection (2008), documentary
    Directed by Dragan Nikolić

    The Undertaker (2013), documentary
    Directed by Dragan Nikolić

    National Park (2006), short documentary
    Directed by Dragan Nikolić

    Lord of the Danube (2010), short animation
    Directed by Dragan Nikolić