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NEM Zagreb 2019 an event aimed at the development of the TV and film industry in Croatia and the region, has announced the first confirmed speakers and panellists. During the three-day event, speakers from Europe and from around the world will share their broad knowledge and experience with the aim of developing the audio-visual industry in Croatia, the region and the world as a whole.

The first NEM Zagreb event will be held from the 11th to the 13th of December 2019 at the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, and the list of first confirmed speakers:
• Allan Starski, Production Designer and Set Decorator, Oscar winner for the film Schindler's List (1993). He is also renowned for his work on the films The Pianist (2002) and Oliver Twist (2005)
• Gabrielle Tana, Academy Award nominated Producer for the film Philomena (2013, in the category Film of the Year), as well as for two BAFTA awards (in the categories of Best British fil and the BAFTA Film Award)
• Vanja ?ernjul, Director of Photography from Zagreb with a successful international career, well-known for his work on the popular film Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and the series The Deuce (2017) starring James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal
• Harold Gronenthal, Executive Vice President, Programming and Marketing for AMC Networks International, leading international production company and distributer of channels, content and video-services in over 130 countries and territories. He negotiated global programming deals of the best-known AMC series like The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
• European Alliance, an association of leading European TV companies ZDF, RAI and France Television, formed with the aim of producing the highest quality European content with a potential for global success. Some of their announced projects are the historical adventure series Around the World in 80 Days, based on the novel by Jules Verne, and the series about the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci
The first NEM Zagreb will host new series presentations and exclusive screenings by leading production companies which will be opened to all NEM Zagreb participants, providing them with insight into new trends and enabling interested parties to buy broadcast rights for their territories. For example, exclusive content will be shown by Croatian Radiotelevision, BBC Studios and the Israeli production and distribution company Keshet. NEM Zagreb will cover all themes involved in process of producing film and television content, providing an excellent opportunity and a springboard for all professionals or beginners who would like to pitch their work to a global audience.

One of the panels will be devoted to unscripted content like reality shows, documentaries or quiz shows, and the speakers at this panel are experts with years of experience in producing precisely this type of content. One of the confirmed speakers is Izzet Pinto, Founder and CEO at Global Agency, the leading independent global distributor of TV content that offers a broad portfolio of dramas and innovative formats.

A prominent part of NEM Zagreb is the TV Writing Contest, a contest for promising screenplay writers who will have the opportunity of presenting their idea to key decision makers and of potentially setting up a deal that might promote their writing career. The applications will be evaluated by an independent jury in the preselection stage, and then by production companies and television houses with which all participants have a chance of establishing cooperation. The confirmed main jury currently includes Croatian Radio-television, RAI, Beta Film and Zig Zag Productions.

NEM Zagreb and Croatian Radio-television agree on a key partnership
A key partner and one of the main sponsors of NEM Zagreb 2019 is Croatian Radio-television (HRT). During the opening ceremony of the conference on December 11th 2019, HRT will present its programme content and also underline its achievements, and announce plans, as well as showing a reminder of its rich history. After the presentation, there will be a discussion followed by HRT's networking event.

On the second day of the event, Damir Novini?, head of HRT's production, will introduce the attendees to the world of HRT through a panel discussion with series creators, actors and producers dealing with prominent hit projects.
The official closing of the 8th New Europe Market and the first NEM Zagreb 2019 will be marked by a grand celebration at the HRT building at Prisavlje.

Cooperation with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce
Another NEM partner is the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, which has recognised the importance of the initiative: "Film and TV industry is one of the few sectors that can quickly contribute to the change in the perception and branding of Croatia as a welcome and a must-see destination for living, and thus also for investment. This is the reason why the Croatian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support New Europe Market and the audio-visual industry in Croatia as a segment that propels the development of other sectors of the economy, from tourism, gastronomy and the hotel and hospitality sector, as well as other industries that accompany film production", stated Luka Barilovi?, president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce.

The import of New Europe Market for the Adriatic region
Over the years, New Europe Market has established itself as the most relevant market in the Adriatic region specialising in the film and TV industry. From the very outset in Dubrovnik in 2013, NEM has continuously contributed to the development of the industry, and thus also to tourism and the economy. Renowned global production companies have visited NEM with the aim of investing in local content with potential for the international market.

You can find more information about the conference at NEM's official website https://neweumarket.com/