MARKET ANALYSIS 2023
LJUBLJANA: In 2023, cinema exhibition and film production were generally stabilised. Cinema attendance still did not reach pre-pandemic numbers but is getting there, having reached 2 m admissions. Film distribution and cinema releases completely recovered, as well as film production.
The 2023 admissions were almost the same as in 2022 (with significantly lower share for domestic titles), while the box office slightly increased due to higher ticket prices.
The first and the largest Slovenian cineplex Kolosej Ljubljana, which started operating in 2001, closed in March 2023 due to financial and legal problems of the company Kolosej Kinematografi.
The Slovenian Film Centre (SFC), received 8.975 m EUR for running costs, film funding and other activities in 2023 (compared to 6.667 m EUR in 2022). The goal, announced in 2018, that the annual budget for film production should gradually increase and reach 11 m EUR in a five-year period, has not yet been achieved. However, 35% higher support was secured in 2023 compared to 2022.
In February 2023, the Slovenian Federation of Filmmakers’ Guilds (ZDSFU) started to prepare a new strategic plan for the development of the Slovenian audiovisual industry until 2030, aiming to boost its potential.
The Slovenian Minister of Culture is Asta Vrečko, appointed in June 2022.
The head of the Slovenian Film Centre is Nataša Bučar, who was re-appointed in November 2021 for a five-year term.
PRODUCTION
Between 15 and 20 domestic feature films and long documentaries are produced per year. In 2023, the number of completed films was lower than in 2022, but it still reached the upper average limit, with many of them made by female directors.
The majority of the new Slovenian productions are coproductions with other ex-Yugoslavian and bordering EU countries. Foreign producers’ share in the investments in Slovenian majority projects is around 30%, and the number of foreign coproductions is still increasing.
Fifteen feature films and five long documentaries (including coproductions) were completed or/and released in 2023 (compared to 28 in 2022), and 18 among them were supported by the Slovenian Film Centre (compared to 25 in 2022).
In 2024, twenty films (12 feature films and eight long documentaries) are expected to be completed, which is significantly more than in 2023, when just 13 were completed.
Seven feature films are expected to start shooting in 2024, compared to 12 in 2023.
The feature films (excluding minority coproductions) completed in 2023 are: Whisper of a Butterfly directed by Alen Pavšar and produced by Almedia; Lunatic / Šterkijada directed by Igor Šterk and produced by A.A.C Production; Role Model / Vzornik directed by Nejc Gazvoda and produced by Perfo Production in coproduction with EvolutionFilms (Czech Republic), La Sarraz Pictures (Italy) and Biberche (Serbia); Shoting Blanks / Poslednji heroj directed by Žiga Virc and produced by Studio Virc in coproduction with Asphalt (Greece), Nukleus Film (Croatia), Levante Produzioni (Italy) and Asterisk Post (Greece); Kaj + Ester Forever / Kaj + Ester za vedno directed by Tosja Flaker Berce and produced by Temporama in coproduction with Gliser, Studio Arkadena, NuFrame and 001; Observing / Opazovanje directed by Janez Burger and produced by Staragara in coproduction with Propeler film (Croatia), Transmedia (Italy) and Kaval Film (North Macedonia); Something Sweet / Nekaj sladkega directed by Tin Vodopivec and produced by Sparks&Juice; Je kir ke riku? directed by Andrej Pratnemer and Denis Vengust, and produced by Pratnemer.
The long documentaries (excluding minority coproductions) completed in 2023 are: Pero directed by Damjan Kozole and produced by Vertigo in coproduction with RTV Slovenija and Korektif; Woman of God / Duhovnica directed by Maja Prettnar and produced by Studio Virc in coproduction with Al Jazeera (Quatar); Two Steps from the Baltic to the Adriatic / Dva koraka od Baltika do Jadrana (Slovenia, Italy) directed by Jan Mozetič and produced by Kinoatelje; and Through My Eyes / Skozi moje oči directed by Igor Vrtačnik and produced by Zavod Film Horizont. The 
long experimental documentary Don't Think It Will Ever Go Away / Ne misli, da bo kdaj mimo directed by Tomaž Grom and produced by Zavod Sploh was also completed in 2023.
The following feature films (excluding minority coproductions) are expected to be completed in 2024: Hole / Jama directed by Dejan Babosek and produced by Narayan Production and Studio Ritem; Fantasy directed by Katarina Rešek – Kukla and produced by December in coproduction with Krug film (North Macedonia) and RTV Slovenija; Family Therapy / Odrešitev za začetnike directed by Sonja Prosenc and produced by Monoo; Tartini’s Key / Tartinijev ključ directed by Vinci Vogue Anžlovar and produced by Blade production in coproduction with RTV Slovenija and A-LAB (Italy); Little Trouble Girls directed by Urška Djukić and produced by SPOK Films in coproduction with Izazov 365 (Croatia), Staragara (Italy), Sister Productions (France) and Nosorogi; Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song / Ida, ki je pela tako grdo, da so še mrtvi vstali od mrtvih in zapeli z njo directed by Ester Ivakič and produced by Temporama in coproduction with Dinaridi Film (Croatia) and Set Sail Films (Serbia); Ciao Bela / Čao bela, directed by Jani Sever and produced by Sever & Sever; Block 5 / Igrišča ne damo directed by Klemen Dvornik and produced by Aatalanta in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, Living Pictures (Serbia) and BFilm (Czech Republic); The Lost Son / Izgubljeni sin directed by Darko Štante and produced by Staragara in coproduction with Propeler Film, Silk Films (Czech Republic) and Tansmedia produkcija (Italy); Hidden People / Skriti ljudje directed by Miha Hočevar and produced by Vertigo.
The docu-fiction Tales of Fruits and Monsters / Sadni film directed by Gregor Božič and produced by Nosorogi in coproduction with Bocapulco Films is expected to start shooting in 2024.
The following long documentaries (excluding minority coproductions) are expected to be completed in 2024: Cent´anni directed by Maja Prelog and produced by Cvinger film in coproduction with Agresywna Banda (Poland), Zena film (Italy) and Zwinger film (Austria); The Volta Cinema / Kino Volta directed by Martin Turk and produced by Faubla in coproduction with Quasar 
Multimedia (Italy), RTV Slovenija and Planet Korda Pictures (Ireland); Land of Sar / Dežela šarplaninca directed by Petra Seliškar and produced by Petra Pan Film; Was There Anything Avant-garde? / Ali je bilo kaj avantgardnega? directed by Matevž Jerman, Jurij Meden and produced by Temporama in coproduction with Kinoteka; The Silence of Life / V tišini življenja directed by Nina Blažin and produced by Casablanca in coproduction with RTV Slovenija and Incipit film (Italy).
The following feature films (excluding minority coproductions) are in (post)production in 2024 and expected to be completed in 2025: Everything That’s Wrong With You / Vse, kar je narobe s tabo directed by Urša Menart and produced by Vertigo in coproduction with Thalia Production (Serbia) and RTV Slovenija; and This Is a Robbery! / To je rop! directed by Gregor Andolšek and produced by Temporama in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, 001 and NuFrame.
The following feature films (excluding minority coproductions) are expected to start shooting in 2024: Girl of the Night directed by Luka Marčetič and produced by Temporama; FC Freedom / NK Svoboda directed by Boris Petkovič and produced by Iridium film; Whites Wash at Ninety / Belo se pere na devetdeset directed by Marko Naberšnik and produced by Perfo Production; Elvis Škorc, Clever Klutz / Elvis Škorc, genialništor directed by Boris Jurjaševič and produced by Fabula; A Way Away / Pot stranpot directed by Sara Kern and produced by Spok; Hotel Alcohol / Hotel Alkohol directed by Jan Cvitkovič and produced by Staragara; and 20 Meters / 20 metrov directed by Damjan Kozole and produced by Vertigo.
The following feature films (excluding minority coproductions) are in preproduction in 2024: Taming the Wicked / Divjad directed by Dominik Mencej and produced by Temporama; FC Freedom / NK Svoboda directed by Boris Petkovič and produced by Iridium film in coproduction with Homemade Films (Greece), Antitalent (Croatia) and Manderley Films (Germany); and Čista in zakopana directed by Martin Turk and produced by Bela film.
The 25% cash rebate scheme, introduced in 2017, helps to stimulate the shooting of foreign productions in Slovenia. In 2023, a total of 1,285,300 EUR was allocated for 11 projects, compared to 2,773,555 EUR for eight projects in 2022 and 1,899,503 EUR in 2021.
The feature films benefiting from the cash rebate scheme in 2023 were: Alpha directed by Jan Willem Van Ewijk, produced by BALDR Film BV (the Netherlands) and coproduced from Slovenia by Staragara; Bachelorette Party 2 / Addio al nubilato 2 directed by Francesco Apolloni, produced by Minerva Pictures group S.R.L. (Italy) and coproduced from Slovenia by Staragara; Back in Action directed by Seth Gordon, produced by Oasis Productions Limited (UK) and coproduced by Pakt Media from Slovenia; and Last Shadow of First Light directed by Nicole Midori Woodford, produced by Protocol (Singapore) and coproduced from Slovenia by Studio Virc.
Fiction TV series benefiting from the cash rebate scheme in 2023 were: Hallo directed by Dannie Gordon, produced by Silver Entertainment Kft (Hungary) and coproduced from Slovenia by Pakt Media; The Wheel of Time directed by Ciaran Donnely, Thomas Napper and Marta Cunnighan, produced by Little Islands Production Ltd (UK) and coproduced from Slovenia by Pakt Media; and the complete season of TV series Dates in Real Life directed by Jakob Rorvik, produced by Maipo film (Norway) and coproduced from the Slovenian side by Staragara.
Documentary TV series benefiting from the cash rebate scheme in 2023 were: Wolves in the Fold directed by David Sipos, produced by Eternal Word Television Network, INC (USA) and coproduced from Slovenia by Studio Siposh; Doctors of the Church directed by David Sipos, produced by Eternal Word Television Network, INC (USA) and coproduced from Slovenia by Studio Siposh; Brown Scapular / Rjavi Škapulir directed by Vid Planinc, produced by Eternal Word Television Network, INC (USA) and coproduced from Slovenia by Studio Siposh; and Food Markets in the Belly of the City Ljubljana / Tržnica produced by Stefilm International S.r.l. (Italy) and coproduced from Slovenia by Zavod Rusalka.
DISTRIBUTION
The number of films released in cinemas in 2023 was 202, which is a little higher than in 2022 (174).
Fourteen full-length Slovenian films (seven feature films, five long documentaries, one experimental documentary and one docu-fiction) competed for the Vesna awards, in addition to two coproduction feature titles which were screened at the annual showcase of Slovenian film, the 26th Festival of Slovenian Film Portoroz, which ran from 3 to 8 October 2023.
Tomaž Grom’s Don't Think It Will Ever Go Away, produced by Zavod Sploh, won the Vesna Award for Best Film at the 26th Festival of Slovenian Film Portoroz, together with another Vesna award for music, composed by the director himself.
Marko Šantić’s Wake Me, produced by Vertigo, coproduced by Living Pictures Serbia and
Jaka Produkcija Croatia, won the Vesna Award for Best Feature Film together with another four Vesna Awards for Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Make-up.
Petra Seliškar’s The Body, produced by Petra Pan Film, coproduced by PPFP North Macedonia and Wolfgang & Dolly Croatia, won the Vesna Award for Best Long Documentary.
Ivan Gergolet won the Vesna award for Best Director for The Man without Guilt, produced by Staragara, coproduced by Transmedia Italy and Propeler Film Croatia, together with the Slovenian Art Cinema Association Award and Iridium Award for Best Debut Feature.
Maja Prettner's Woman of God, produced by Studio Virc, received the Vesna Audience Award together with the Vesna award for Editing, as well as the Slovenian Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award.
Safe Place by Juraj Lerotić, produced by Pipser, coproduced by December and Zelena Zraka, won the Vesna award for Best minority Slovenian coproduction and also for Best Photography.
In 2023, the Slovenian Film Centre organised eight retrospectives abroad, presenting the national film production to the international audience. Slovenian films were shown in Pula (Croatia), Sombotel, Budapest (Hungary), Belgrade (Serbia), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Germany. Slovenia was the guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Slovenian films were presented at Slovenian Focus at DOC Leipzig and in a Retrospective of Slovenian films at Kino Arsenal in Berlin.
International film festivals screened some of the latest Slovenian feature films in 2023: Man without a Guilt and Wake Me screened at Tallinn Black Nights FF, together with two long documentaries, Pero at Rotterdam FF and Body at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
The year 2023 was also successful for Slovenian minority coproductions: Guardians of the Formula by Dragan Bjelogrlić (produced by Cobra Film, coproduced by Ton Film, Perfo Production, Bitter Frames Production, Skopje Film Studio) premiered at Locarno FF and won the Variety Piazza Grande Award as well as the Pardo Verde Ricola Award (together with the Audience Award for best film at the Sarajevo Film Festival). Not a Word by Hanna Slak, produced by Volte, coproduced by Tramal Films and Ici et Là Productions, premiered at the Toronto FF, and 
Forever Hold Your Peace by Ivan Marinović, produced by Adriatic Western, coproduced by Sense Production, Analog Vision, Kinorama, Krug Film and SPOK Films, premiered at Tallinn FF.
The leading position among distributors in 2023 belongs to Blitz Film & Video Distribution with 45% admissions share, followed by Karantanija Cinemas (33%), Continental Film (9%), Fivia (8%), Cinemania Group (3%) and Demiurg (2%).
The leading Slovenian distributor Blitz Film & Video Distribution is strongly connected to its mother company in Croatia and it releases mostly commercial films from major Hollywood studios (Warner Bros., Fox, Disney), as well as Continental (Sony/Columbia). Karantanija Cinemas distributes some major (UIP) and independent titles, while smaller Slovenian distribution companies (Fivia, Cinemania Group, Demiurg) distribute independent, domestic and European films. In 2023 their admissions share decreased to 13% from 16% in 2022.
VOD PLATFORMS AND ONLINE DISTRIBUTION
The leading and only S-VOD platform is still VOYO (produced by Pro plus), followed by AVOD platform 365 (produced by RTV Slovenija), while Planet Group’s AVOD platform Planeteka closed.
The Slovenian Film Database, which is successfully operating as the main Slovenian online database platform, enables online viewing of a selection of Slovenian films on its platform, some of them free of charge.
The common VOD platform, online.artkinomreza.si, which was started in 2020 by the leading art house cinema Kinodvor along with the members of the Slovenian Art Cinema Association, is successfully operating. Nineteen art house cinemas, including Kinodvor, are using this platform for their online screenings.
EXHIBITION AND BOX OFFICE
Slovenian average annual cinema admissions before the pandemic had usually been around 2.5 m and generated around 12 m EUR per year. In 2023, the admissions remained almost the same and the box office slightly increased compared to 2022. Total admissions still did not reach the pandemic results, but box office did, generally because of the higher ticket prices.
There are around 50 operating cinemas with 106 screens (of which 101 are digital), and the average ticket price is around 6.2 EUR.
Most of the Slovenian attendance is generated by the multiplex chain Cineplexx, which operates in Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, Kranj, Koper, Murska Sobota and Novo mesto.
Kolosej Ljubljana, the first and the largest Slovenian cineplex, which started operating in 2001, was sold in September 2022, but it was still operating till March 2023, when it was finally closed due to financial problems of the company Kolosej Kinematografi.
Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city, has two multiplexes, Cineplexx and Maribox, operated by Projektor from June 2017.
Other cinema theatres try to balance commercial and art house films. Most of them are members of the Slovenian Art Cinema Asociation, which currently has 28 active members. The leading art house cinema is Kinodvor, whose director is Metka Dariš.
In 2023, the admissions were 1,887,956 (compared to 1,844,430 in 2022) and the box office was 12,828,614 EUR (compared to 11.507 m EUR in 2022), which represents almost equal admissions and some increase in the box office.
The top titles on the overall chart were US action hits and animated films, joined by only one domestic title. The leading position belongs to Barbie (with 122,046 admissions and 828,690 EUR gross), followed by Avatar: The Way of Water (with 99,070 admissions and 942,953 EUR gross) and Oppenheimer (with 81,651 admissions and 661,744 EUR gross). In the next positions within the first ten we find the only domestic tittle, Whisper of a Butterfly directed by Alen Pavšar, produced by Almedia, distributed by Constantin Film, another US blockbuster Fast X and five family and/or animated films, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Elemental, Torlls Band Together, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
The 2023 admissions for domestic films were 201,746 and the box office was 1,034,080 EUR. It represents a 36% drop in admissions (compared to 315,084 in 2022) and 38% drop in box office (1,659,316 EUR in 2022), which means a significant fall compared to the record breaking previous year, when domestic titles represented the highest share in total cinema attendance since Slovenia regained independence (17% share in admissions and 14% share in the box office), mainly due to the success of the At Hostar 2‰ directed by Luka Marčetić, produced by Kerlc Film in coproduction with Iridum Film.
The top domestic title in 2023 was Whisper of a Butterfly by Alen Pavšar with 66,288 admissions and 326,504 EUR gross, followed by Grandpa Goes South by Vinci Vogu Anžlovar, produced by A Atalanta, with 33,600 admissions and 188,178 EUR gross, and Je kir ke riku? by Andrej Pratnemer and Denis Vengust, produced by Pratnemer, with 28,345 admissions and 166,397 EUR gross.
The Slovenian film with the most admissions since 1991 is still At Hostar / Pr’ Hostar directed by Luka Marčetić, with 211,604 admissions, followed by Going Our Way / Gremo mi po svoje (2010) directed by Miha Hočevar, produced by Vertigo/Emotionfilm in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, with 205,439 admissions.
The biggets film festival in Slovenia is the Ljubljana IFF, organised by Cankarjev dom. A total of 88 feature films and around 20 short films were screened (and some of them also presented online) at its 34th edition, which was held from 8 to 19 November 2023.
GRANTS AND NEW LEGISLATION
The main film institution in Slovenia is the Slovenian Film Centre (SFC), a public agency established in 2010 and replacing the Slovenian Film Fund. Its goal is to encourage creativity by providing suitable conditions for audiovisual activities.
The SFC supports national film production, postproduction, distribution and film festivals. In theory, its funding sources should come from the state budget, the agency’s own income, partnership with international organisations, donations and sponsorships. In practice, the majority of its funding is in the form of a subsidy from the Ministry of Culture, with the amount 
depending on the annual budget of the country.
The managing director of the SFC is Nataša Bučar, reappointed in November 2021 for the next five years till 2026. She and her team are trying to follow the four-year national strategy, announced in November 2019, and they are involved in the drafting of a new media law.
In February 2023, the Slovenian Federation of Filmmakers’ Guilds (ZDSFU) started to prepare a new strategic plan for the development of the Slovenian audiovisual industry until 2030, aiming to boost its potential. The summaries and guidelines of the document have already been forwarded to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister. The main vision of the strategic plan is for the audiovisual industry in Slovenia to become the driving force of Slovenian culture and an important pillar of the Slovenian economy by 2030.
The vision of the SFC and its general strategic goals in the coming period from 2020 to 2024 entail the implementation of a transparent and modern system to ensure a sustainable, functional and stable film environment.
Since its launch, the SFC has been deeply involved in the production of domestic films. Other sources of support originate from the national television RTV Slovenija, coproductions, services backed by the state and provided by the FS Viba film studio in the form of technical assistance, from international film funds and institutions.
In 2023 the SFC received 8.975 m EUR for running costs, film funding and other activities (compared to 6.667 m EUR in 2022), of which 8.026 m EUR all together went to film productions, 
and other activities. The goal, announced in 2018, that the annual budget for film production should gradually increase and reach 11 m EUR by 2022, has not yet been achieved.
In 2023, the SFC announced 14 public tenders (compared to 13 in 2022) and awarded grants totalling 6.329 m EUR (compared to 5.682 m EUR in 2022).
A total of 5.897 m EUR (compared to 6.171 m EUR in 2022) went to film production (feature films, documentaries, animated films, including development support). A total of 432,012 EUR (compared to 347,581 EUR in 2022) was allocated to festivals, film education, international promotion and professional associations.
The restoration of Slovenian classics continued in 2023 with the following titles: Little Shepherds / Pastirci directed by France Štiglic (1973, Viba Film and Kinematografi Zagreb); The Merry Wedding / Veselo gostivanje directed by France Štiglic (1984, Viba Film); Dance in the Rain / Ples v dežju directed by Boštjan Hladnik (1961, Triglav film); and Cafe Astoria / Kavarna Astoria directed by Jože Pogačnik (1989, Viba Film).
TV
In the last few years, according to the Law on the Slovenian Film Centre, the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija has been obliged to invest in independent film and AV projects.
The national television RTV Slovenija and the leading commercial TV channel Pro plus still play a key role in the domestic production, partly joined by Planet Group.
RTV Slovenija makes up to five feature and documentary films per year, and it acts as a regular coproducer to domestic films. In 2023, RTV Slovenija continued shooting its own production, the new season of crime series Cases of Inspector Vrenko / Primeri inšpektorja Vrenka directed by Slobodan Maksimović and Boris Jurjašević, and based on a series of novels by Tomaž Zupančič alias Avgust Demšar.
Planet Group produced entertainment shows Married at First Sight / Poroka na prvi pogled, and Wheel of Fortune / Kolo sreče, as well as culinary shows Riba, Raca, Rak and Dinner For Five / Večerja za pet.
The strongest commercial television, Pro plus, continued to produce TV series and entertainment shows. The new series of Camping Royals / Skrito v raju directed by Nikolaj Vodošek, as well as new seasons of reality and entertainments shows such as MasterChef Slovenija, Slovenia’s Got Talent / Slovenija ima talent, Farm / Kmetija, Home Makeover / Delovna akcija, Food Truck / Kuhinja na kolesih and Kid Cooks / Mali šef Slovenije were produced.
Pro plus also continued to produce domestic TV series for its SVOD platform VOYO: House of Love / Hiša ljubezni and new episodes of The Kitchen / Ja, Chef!.
The leading commercial TV Pro plus with its five channels (POP TV, KANAL A, KINO, BRIO and OTO) made its leading position even stronger with news, reality shows, local TV series, sport events and foreign programming. It is followed by the national television RTV Slovenija with its three national channels, and another commercial television, Planet Group, which is 
regaining its market share with its three channels. Other significant players are foreign cable TV channels Fox Group, Cas Media, HBO Europe; TV3 medias, and several ex-Yugoslavian TVchannels.
Prime time in Slovenian television is generally held by news (24 ur, Dnevnik), reality and entertainment shows (Masterchef, Farmer Wants a Wife, Love at First Sight, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Fake News, V petek zvečer, Wheel of Fortune, Married at First Sight, The Real Housewives Slovenija, Joker), and domestic fiction such as the drama TV series Cases of Inspector Vrenko, directed by Slobodan Maksimović and Boris Jurjašević and produced by RTV Slovenija, airing on TV Slovenija 1.
In 2023 Pro plus remained the leading television in Slovenia with a prime time share of 46.8%, followed by RTV Slovenija with 16.5%, Planet Group with 7.2%, and other TV channels with a total of 29.5%.
CONTACTS:
SLOVENIAN FILM CENTRE
Miklošičeva 38
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0)1 23 43 200
Fax: +386 (0)1 23 43 219
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.sfc.si
SLOVENIA FILM COMMISSION
Miklošičeva 38
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0)3 23 43 200
Fax: +386 (0)1 23 43 219
MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA
Maistrova ulica 10
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0)1 369 59 00
Fax: +386 (0)1 369 59 01
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.mk.gov.si
FS VIBA
Stegne 5
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: + 386 (0)1 5132 402
Fax: + 386 (0)1 5132 550
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.vibafilm.si
SLOVENIAN ART CINEMA ASOCIATION
Fancetova ulica 5
2380 Slovenj Gradec
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.artkinomreza.si/
Report by Damijan Vinter (2023)
Sources: the Slovenian Film Centre, the Ministry of Culture, Fivia/Cenex
MARKET ANALYSIS 2022
LJUBLJANA: In 2022 the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema exhibition and film production faded away. Shooting was restored and several film projects, interrupted or postponed because of the COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, were successfully finished or continued production.
The cinema attendance climbed up close to pre-COVID-19 numbers with 1.844 m admissions, representing a 160% increase compared to 2021 and 80% of the admissions in 2019. Film distribution and cinema releases almost completely recovered. Additionally, record-breaking admissions for domestic films were achieved, representing a 17% share of the total admissions (previously around 5%).
The Slovenian Film Centre (SFC), which had announced a new strategy for the next four years in November 2019, received 6.667 m EUR for running costs, film funding and other activities in 2022 (6.620 m EUR in 2021). The goal, announced in 2018, that the annual budget for film production should gradually increase and reach 11 m EUR by 2022, has not been achieved, but the forecast is optimistic while reportedly 8.785 m EUR is secured for 2023.
On 8 June 2022 Asta Vrečko was appointed as the new Minister of Culture of Slovenia, replacing Vasko Simoniti.
PRODUCTION
Slovenian producers usually produce around 15 feature films and long documentaries per year. In 2022 the number of completed film was significantly higher and prognoses for 2023 are very optimistic too, especially expecting many films by female directors and debut features.
The majority of new Slovenian productions are coproductions with other ex-Yugoslavian and bordering EU countries. Foreign producers’ share in the investments in Slovenian majority projects is around 30%, and the number of foreign coproductions is increasing.
Twenty-eight feature films (14 feature films and 14 long documentaries), including coproductions, were completed or/and released in 2022, of which 25 were supported by the SFC.
In 2023 thirteen films (six feature films and seven long documentaries) are expected to be completed.
Twelve feature films are expected to start shooting in 2023.
The feature films (excluding minority coproductions) completed in 2022 are: Grandpa Goes South / Dedek gre na jug directed by Vinci Vogu Anžlovar and produced by A Atalanta in coproduction with Sektor Film (North Macedonia); Gaja's World 2 / Gajin svet 2 directed by Peter Bratuša and produced by Felina Film; Bird Breeder / Ptičar directed by Robert Črnelč and produced by Tramal films; Wake Me / Zbudi me directed by Marko Šantić and produced by Vertigo; Man Without a Guilt / Mož brez krivde directed by Ivan Gergolet and produced by Staragara in coproduction with Transmedia (Italy) and Antitalent (Croatia); At Hostar 2‰ / Pr’ Hostar 2‰ directed by Luka Marčetič and produced by Pro plus.
The following long documentaries (excluding minority coproductions) were completed in 2022: Canabis Sets You Free / Konoplja osvobaja directed by Miha Čelar and produced by Astral film in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, AWARD Film & Video, Wolfgang i Dolly (Croatia), Quasar Multimedia (Italy); LGBT_SLO_1984 directed by Boris Petkovič and produced by Zavod Kineki in coproduction with Katapult; The Body / Telo directed by Petra Seliškar and produced by Petra Pan Film in coproduction with Wolfgang & Dolly (Croatia) and PPFP (North Macedonia); Sarajevo Safari directed by Miran Zupanič and produced by Arsmedia in coproduction with MB Grip, Zvokarna, Iridum Film and Aljazzear Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina); One for the River: The Sava Story / Ena za reko: Zgodba Save directed by Rožle Bregar and produced by Leeway Collective in coproduction with Vizualist, Legitfilms; Wracked Piano / Pošvedrani klavir directed by Miha Vipotnik and produced by Casablanca in coproduction with RTV Slovenija. The long experimental documentary Atlas / Atlas directed by Juš Premrov and produced by Temporama was also completed in 2022.
The following feature films (excluding minority coproductions) are expected to be completed in 2023: Šterkijada directed by Igor Šterk and produced by A.A.C Production; Role Model / Vzornik directed by Nejc Gazvoda and produced by Perfo Production in coproduction with Evolution Films (Czech Republic), La Sarraz Pictures (Italy) and Biberche (Serbia); Shooting Blanks / Poslednji heroj directed by Žiga Virc and produced by Studio Virc in coproduction with Asphalt (Greece), Nukleus Film (Croatia), Levante Produzioni (Italy), Asterisk Post (Greece); Kaj + Ester Forever / Kaj + Ester za vedno directed by Tosja Flaker Berce and produced by Temporama in coproduction with Gliser, Studio Arkadena, NuFrame and 001; Observation / 
Opazovanje directed by Janez Burger and produced by Staragara in coproduction with Propeler film (Croatia), Transmedia (Italy) and Kaval Film (North Macedonia); Redemption / Odrešitev directed by Sonja Prosenc and produced by Monoo.
The following long documentaries (excluding minority coproductions) are expected to be completed in 2023: Cent´anni directed by Maja Prelog and produced by Cvinger film in coproduction with Agresywna Banda (Poland), Zena film (Italy) and Zwinger film (Austria); Pero directed by Damjan Kozole and produced by Vertigo in coproduction with RTV Slovenija and Korektif; The Volta Cinema / Kino Volta directed by Martin Turk and produced by Faubla in coproduction with Quasar Multimedia (Italy), RTV Slovenija and Planet Korda Pictures (Ireland); Land of Sar / Dežela šarplaninca directed by Petra Seliškar and produced by Petra Pan Film; Woman of God / Duhovnica directed by Maja Prettnar and produced by Studio Virc in coproduction with Al Jazeera (Quatar); The Table / Misa directed by Neli Maraž and produced by Cvinger film; Was There Anything Avant-garde? / Ali je bilo kaj avantgardnega? directed by Matevž Jerman & Jurij Meden and produced by Temporama in coproduction with Kinoteka; The Silence of Life / V tišini življenja directed by Nina Blažin and produced by Casablanca in coproduction with RTV Slovenija and Incipit film (Italy).
The following feature films (excluding minority coproductions) are in preproduction and are expected to start shooting in 2023: Tartini’s Key / Tartinijev ključ directed by Vinci Vogue Anžlovar and produced by Blade production in coproduction with RTV Slovenija and A-LAB (Italy); Little Trouble Girls directed by Urška Djukić and produced by SPOK Films in coproduction with Izazov 365 (Croatia), Staragara (Italy), Sister Productions (France) and Nosorogi; Fantasy directed by Katarina Rešek – Kukla and produced by December in coproduction with Krug film (North Macedonia) and RTV Slovenija; Neither Voice / Noben glas directed by Ester Ivakič and produced by Temporama in coproduction with Dinaridi Film (Croatia) and Set Sail Films (Serbia); Ciao Bela / Čao bela directed by Jani Sever and produced by Sever & Sever; Block 5 directed by Klemen Dvornik and produced by Aatalanta in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, Living Pictures (Serbia) and BFilm (Czech Republic); Everything That’s Wrong with You / Vse, kar je narobe s tabo directed by Urša Menart and produced by Vertigo in coproduction with Thalia Production (Serbia) and RTV Slovenija; The Lost Son / Izgubljeni sin directed by Darko Štante and produced by Staragara in coproduction with Propeler Film, SilkFilms (Czech Republic) and Transmedia produkcija (Italy); FC Freedom / NK Svoboda directed by Boris Petkovič and produced by Iridium film in coproduction with Homemade Films (Greece), Antitalent (Croatia) and Manderley Films (Germany); This Is a Robbery! / To je rop! directed by Gregor Andolšek and produced by Temporama in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, 001 and NuFrame; 
Girl of the Night / Dekle noči directed by Luka Marčetić and produced by Temporama; Hidden People / Skriti ljudje directed by Miha Hočevar and produced by Vertigo. Aditionally, the docu-fiction feature Tales of Friuts and Monsters / Sadni film, directed by Gregor Božič and produced by Nosorogi in coproduction with Bocapulco Films, is expected to start shooting in 2023.
The following long documentaries (excluding minority coproductions) are in preproduction and are expected to start shooting in 2023: 2 brata, 2 sestri directed by Miha Čelar and produced by Astral film; and Naša dediščina directed by Dominik Mencej and produced by Zuhr.
The 25% cash rebate scheme introduced in 2017 helps to stimulate the shooting of foreign productions in Slovenia. In 2022 a total of 2.773 m EUR was allocated for eight projects, compared to 336,829 EUR in 2021 and 1 m EUR in 2020. Five of them were feature films, one episode of a TV series (The Witcher directed by Stephen Surjik, produced by Netflix and coproduced on the Slovenian side by Pakt Media), one long documentary (Lala directed by Ludovica Fales, produced by Transmedia and coproduced on the Slovenian side by Staragara) and one short documentary (Great Minds directed by Hyenusui Choi, produced by EBS and coproduced on the Slovenian side by Nora).
The feature films that used the cash rebate scheme in 2022 were: Safe Place / Varno mesto directed by Juraj Lerotić and produced by Pipser (Croatia) in coproduction with December; Midva directed by Giuseppe Battiston and produced by Rosamont (Italy) in coproduction with Staragara; Verižna reakcija directed by Dragan Bjelogrlić and produced by Cobra film (Serbia) in coproduction with Perfo Production; Not a Word / Niti besede directed by Hana Slak and produced by Volte (Germany) in coproduction with Tramal films; and Zveza directed by Julian Farino and produced by Netflix in coproduction with Pakt Media.
DISTRIBUTION
The number of films released in cinemas in 2022 was higher than in 2021, close to the pre-COVID years.
Eleven new domestic films (seven feature films and four long documentaries), together with five long documentaries dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence, and six Slovenian minority coproductions, screened at the annual showcase of Slovenian film, the 25th Festival of Slovenian Film Portorož, which ran 25 - 30 October 2022.
Orchestra directed by Matevž Luzar won the Vesna Award for best film along with awards for script and cinematography at the 25th Festival of Slovenian Film Portorož (25 - 30 October 
2022). The film was produced by Gustav Film in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, Napravi Film, Pihalni orkester Svea Zagorje, 001, Ready on Set, Unicasting, Noella and Sindikat.
Sara Kern won the Vesna Award for best director for Moja Vesna and Loti Kovačič won the Vesna Award for best actress in the same film. This Slovenian/Australian coproduction was produced by Cvinger film and Sweetshop & Green.
Riders, directed by Domink Mencej and produced by Staragara in coproduction with Antitalent, SENSE Production, Novi film, Transmedia, Nuframe and RTV Slovenija, won the Audience Award along with three other Vesna Awards: for best actor, editing and sound.
Teona Mitevska’s The Happiest Man in the World won Best Slovenian Minority Coproduction and two other prizes for achievement in costume design and make-up. This Macedonian/Belgian/Slovenian/Danish/Croatian/Bosnian film was produced by Sisters and Brother Mitevski in coproduction with Entre chien et loup, Vertigo, Frau Film, Terminal 3 and SCCA/PRO.BA
In 2022, SFC organised nine retrospectives abroad, presenting the national film production to the international audience. Additionally to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Croatia, and Germany, Slovenian films were firstly presented in Paris.
International film festivals screened some of the latest Slovenian feature films. Moja Vesna screened at the Berlin IFF, Bitch, a Derogatory Term for a Woman at the Sydney Film Festival, Riders at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Man without a Guilt and Wake Me at Tallinn FF.
The list of feature films awarded at international film festivals includes: Orchestra directed by Matevž Luzar and produced by Gustav Film, Riders directed by Dominik Mencej and produced by Staragara in coproduction with SENSE Production (Serbia), Antitalent (Croatia), Novi Film (Bosnia & Herzegovina) and Transmedia (Italy), and Beanie directed by Slobodan Maksimović and produced by Senca Studio in coproduction with Wady Films, Objectif, Studio Dim, RTV Slovenija, RTVS.
Among the short films awarded at international film festivals are: Steakhouse directed by Špela Čadež and produced by Finta (which also won a Vesna Award for best animated film at the 24th Festival of Slovenian Film); Granny’s Sexual Life / Babičino seksualno življenje directed by Urška Djukić & Émilie Pigeard and produced by Studio Virc and Ikki Films (France); and Sisters / Sestre directed by Katarina Rešek and produced by A Atalanta in coproduction with Supermarket, Zvokarna and NuFrame.
The year 2022 was also successful for Slovenian minority coproductions: Small Body directed by Laura Samani and produced by Nefertiti Film (Italy) in coproduction with Vertigo, Tomsa Films (France) and RAI Cinema (Italy); The Happiest Man in the World directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska and produced by Sisters and Brother Mitevski in coproduction with Entre chien et loup, Vertigo, Frau Film, Terminal 3, SCCA/PRO.BA; Pink Moon directed by Floor van der Meulen and produced by Kepler Films in coproduction with Tramal films, Nefertiti Film; and Safe Place directed by Juraj Lerotić and produced by Pipser (HR) in coproduction with December.
Actor Timon Šturbej was selected to be among 2022 European Shooting Stars at the Berlin IFF.
The leading position among distributors in 2022 belongs again to Karantanija Cinemas with 43% admissions share, followed by Blitz Film & Video Distribution (33%), Fivia (8%), Continental Film (8%), Cinemania Group (6%) and Demiurg (2%).
Most of these Slovenian distributors release mostly commercial films from major Hollywood studios such as Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Universal and Paramount. Karanatnija Cinemas won its leading position mostly due to UIP titles, Continental (Sony/Columbia) manages distribution from Croatia, while Blitz Film & Video Distribution (WB, FOX) is also strongly connected to its mother company in Croatia.
Smaller Slovenian distribution companies, which distribute independent, domestic and European films, are Fivia, Cinemania Group and Demiurg. They, especially Demiurg, are mostly focused on art house cinemas. In 2022 their admissions share increased to 16% from 12% in 2021.
VOD PLATFORMS AND ONLINE DISTRIBUTION
After the pandemic, distributors continued to show films on online platforms, additionally to the cinema release. Both the 25th Festival of Slovenian Film Portorož and the 33rd Ljubljana IFF additionally offer online screenings, while being held as in-person events.
The Slovenian Film Database still enables online viewing of a selection of Slovenian films on its platform, some of them free of charge.
The common VOD platform online.artkinomreza.si, whose implementation had been started in 2020 by the leading art house cinema Kinodvor along with the members of the Slovenian Art Cinema Association, is successfully operating. Nineteen art house cinemas, including Kinodvor, are using this platform for their online screenings.
Additionally to the existing S-VOD platform VOYO (produced by Pro plus) and AVOD platform 365 (produced by RTV Slovenija), Planet Group enabled a new AVOD platform Planeteka.
EXHIBITION AND BOX OFFICE
Slovenian cinema admissions are usually around 2.5 m and generate around 12 m EUR per year. In 2022 the numbers climbed back to that average, despite an approximately 70% drop in 
the past two years.
There are around 50 operating cinemas with 106 screens (101 among them digital), and the average ticket price is around 6.2 EUR.
Most of the Slovenian attendance is generated by multiplexes in bigger cities, owned by Kolosej Kinematografi and by the multiplex chain Cineplexx. While Cineplexx operates six multiplexes in Maribor, Celje, Kranj, Koper, Murska Sobota and Novo mesto, Kolosej Kinematografi runs the biggest and the only multiplex in the capital city of Ljubljana (plus a one screen cinema theatre Komuna). Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city, has two multiplexes: Maribox (operated by Projektor) and Cineplexx.
Kolosej Ljubljana, the first and the largest Slovenian cineplex, which started operating in 2001, was sold at auction on 5 September 2022 for 6.4 m EUR.
Other cinema theatres try to balance commercial and art house films. Most of them are members of the Slovenian Art Cinema Asociation, which currently has 28 active members. The leading art house cinema is Kinodvor, whose director is Metka Dariš.
The 2022 admissions significantly increased to 1,844,430 (compared to 725,612 in 2021) and the total box office recovered to 11.507 m EUR (compared to 4.074 m in 2021), almost to the results compared to past non-COVID years’ average.
The top titles on the overall 2021 chart were US action hits and animated films, this year joined by some domestic titles. The leading position belongs to Top Gun: Maverick (with 151,114 admissions and 1,065,572 EUR gross), followed by Minions: The Rise of Gru (with 126,851 admissions and 852,370 EUR gross) and At Hostar 2‰ (with 114,558 admissions and 759,428 EUR gross). On the other positions in the first ten we find another two US blockbusters (Avatar: The Way of Water, Jurassic World: Dominion), family and/or animated films (The Bad Guys, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Clifford the Big Red Dog), and Slovenian coming-of-age films Gaja's World 2 and Beanie.
The total 2022 admissions for domestic films highly increased to 315,084 (compared to 16,867 in 2021), and the total gross was 1,659,316 EUR (compared to 54,332 EUR in 2021), which represents a record breaking 17% share in admissions and 14% share in the box office since Slovenia’s independence.
The top domestic titles in 2022 include At Hostar 2‰ directed by Luka Marčetič and produced by Pro plus, with 114,558 admissions and 759,428 EUR gross, followed by Gaja's World - This Is My Planet!, directed by Peter Bratuša and produced by Felina Film, with 75,998 admissions and 380,368 EUR gross, and Beanie directed by Slobodan Maksimović and produced by Senca Studio in coproduction with Wady Films, Objectif, Studio Dim, RTV Slovenija, RTVS, with 58,923 admissions and 278,411,428 EUR gross.
The Slovenian film with the most admissions since 1991 is still At Hostar / Pr’ Hostar directed by Luka Marčetić, produced by Kerlc Film in coproduction with Iridum Film, with 211,604 admissions, followed by Going Our Way / Gremo mi po svoje (2010) directed by Miha Hočevar, produced by Vertigo/Emotionfilm in coproduction with RTV Slovenija, with 205,439 admissions.
The main art event in Slovenia is LIFFe, the Ljubljana IFF, organised by Cankarjev dom. A total of 92 feature and 17 short films were screened (and some of them also presented online) at its 33rd edition, which was held 9 - 20 November 2022.
GRANTS AND NEW LEGISLATION
The main film institution in Slovenia is the Slovenian Film Centre (SFC), a public agency established in 2010 replacing the Slovenian Film Fund. Its goal is to encourage creativity by providing suitable conditions for audiovisual activities.
The SFC supports national film production, postproduction, distribution and film festivals. In theory, its funding sources should come from the state budget, the agency’s own income, partnership with international organisations, donations and sponsorships. In practice, the majority of its funding is in the form of a subsidy from the Ministry of Culture, with the amount depending on the annual budget of the country.
The managing director of the SFC is Nataša Bučar, reappointed in November 2021 for the next five years until 2026. She and her team are trying to follow the four-year national strategy, announced in November 2019, in spite of the fact that the national programme for culture is still pending.
The vision of the SFC and its general strategic goals in the coming period from 2020 to 2024 entail the implementation of a transparent and modern system to ensure a sustainable, functional and stable film environment.
Since its launch, the SFC has been deeply involved in the production of domestic films. Other sources of support originate from the national television RTV Slovenija, coproductions, services backed by the state and provided by FS Viba film studio in the form of technical assistance, from international film funds and institutions.
In 2022 the SFC received 6.667 m EUR for running costs, film funding and other activities (6.620 m EUR in 2021). The goal, announced in 2018, that the annual budget for film production should gradually increase and reach 11 m EUR by 2022, has not been achieved, but the forecast is optimistic while reportedly 8.785 m EUR is secured for 2023.
In 2021 the SFC announced 13 public tenders (which is the same as in 2021) and awarded grants totalling 5.682 m EUR (compared to 6.319 m EUR in 2021).
A total of 5.334 m EUR (compared to 6.045 m EUR in 2021) went to film production (feature films, documentaries, animated films, including development support). A total of 347,581 EUR (compared to 273,525 EUR in 2021) was allocated for festivals, film education, international promotion and professional associations.
The restoration of Slovenian classics will continue in 2023.
On 8 June 2022 Asta Vrečko was appointed as the new Minister of Culture of Slovenia, replacing Vasko Simoniti, appointed on 13 March 2020. A development-oriented and inclusive culture policy, an overhaul of media legislation and of the status of the self-employed, as well as systemic investment in culture were announced as her first priorities.
TV
In the last few years, according to the Law on the Slovenian Film Centre, the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija has been obliged to invest in independent film and AV projects.
The national television RTV Slovenija and the leading commercial TV channel Pro plus still play a key role in the domestic production, partly joined by Planet Group.
RTV Slovenija makes up to five feature and documentary films per year, and it acts as a regular coproducer for domestic films. In 2022 RTV Slovenija continued shooting its own production, the crime series Cases of Inspector Vrenko / Primeri inšpektorja Vrenka directed by Slobodan Maksimović and Boris Jurjašević, and based on a series of novels by Tomaž Zupančič alias Avgust Demšar.
The strongest commercial television Pro plus continued to produce TV series and entertainment shows. The comic series Lotto Millionaire / Sekirca v med directed by Jaka Šuligoj, as well as the new seasons of other local reality and entertainments shows such as MasterChef Slovenija, Home Makeover / Delovna akcija, Food Truck / Kuhinja na kolesih, Restart, Slovenia / Štartaj, Slovenija, Kid Cooks / Mali šef Slovenije, The Bachelor / Sanjski moški and Farmer Wants a Wife / Ljubezen po domače were produced.
Pro plus also continued to produce domestic TV series for its SVOD platform VOYO: The Teacher / Gospod profesor directed by Boris Bezić and Tijana Zinajić, The Kitchen / Ja, Chef! 
directed by Marko Naberšnik and Igor Gajič, and Horna dolna / Ta Hribom directed by Jaka Šuligoj.
The leading commercial TV Pro plus with its five channels POP TV, KANAL A, KINO, BRIO and OTO, made its leading position even stronger with news, reality shows, local TV series, sport events and foreign programming. It is followed by the national television RTV Slovenija with its three national channels, and another commercial television, Planet Group, which is regaining its market share with its three channels. Other significant players are foreign cable TV channels Fox Group, Cas Media, HBO Max; TV3 medias, and several ex-Yugoslavian TV channels.
The prime time in Slovenian television is generally held by news (24 ur, Dnevnik), reality and entertainment shows (MasterChef, Farmer Wants a Wife, Love at First Sight, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Fake News, V petek zvečer, Exatlon Slovenija, The Real Housewives Slovenija, Joker), and domestic fiction (drama TV series Cases of Inspector Vrenko).
In 2022 Pro plus remained the leading television. Pro plus had a prime time share of 45%, RTV Slovenija 17%, Planet Group 8%, TV3 Medias 1.0%, and other TV channels 29%.
CONTACTS:
SLOVENIAN FILM CENTRE
Miklošičeva 38
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0)1 23 43 200
Fax: +386 (0)1 23 43 219
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.sfc.si
SLOVENIA FILM COMMISSION
Miklošičeva 38
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0)3 23 43 200
Fax: +386 (0)1 23 43 219
MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA
Maistrova ulica 10
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0)1 369 59 00
Fax: +386 (0)1 369 59 01
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.mk.gov.si
FS VIBA
Stegne 5
SI - 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: + 386 (0)1 5132 402
Fax: + 386 (0)1 5132 550
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.vibafilm.si
SLOVENIAN ART CINEMA ASOCIATION
Fancetova ulica 5
2380 Slovenj Gradec
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.artkinomreza.si/
Report by Damijan Vinter (2023)
Sources: the Slovenian Film Centre, the Ministry of Culture, Fivia/Cenex
