On 10 February 2026, representatives of Creative Placemakers (Ireland), UMPACI (North Macedonia) and Art365 (Montenegro) came together at Ložionica in Belgrade to present Moving Classics: Sonic Bridges (MCSB) to the Creative Industries Network Western Balkans.
The event brought together creative organisations, cultural policymakers and international partners to explore the growing economic and social importance of the creative industries and identify opportunities for collaboration across the region and beyond.
Connecting Regional Networks with European Collaboration
Hosted at Belgrade’s Ložionica, the conference marked the conclusion of the Creative Industries Network Western Balkans project, supported by UNESCO through the European Union’s Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans programme. Representatives from across the Western Balkans joined international organisations to exchange ideas and develop new opportunities for creative cooperation.
For the MCSB partners, the gathering offered an opportunity to share the project’s approach to international artistic collaboration and connect with a growing network of organisations working across film, music and the wider creative industries.
Presenting Moving Classics: Sonic Bridges
Creative Placemakers, UMPACI and Art365 introduced Moving Classics: Sonic Bridges, a Creative Europe-funded project bringing together artists and cultural organisations from Iceland, Ireland, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Through the creation of ten short films, MCSB brings filmmakers, composers and other creative practitioners into international collaborations that explore shared experiences, cultural identities and the connections between communities. Working under the theme Culture Over Division, the project creates opportunities for artists from different countries and disciplines to develop work together, exchange perspectives and reach audiences beyond their national borders. The presentation demonstrated how collaborative artistic production can strengthen professional networks, develop new creative relationships and support the international circulation of work.
From Regional Dialogue to New Partnerships
The conference’s Regional Network discussions explored future priorities for the Western Balkans creative industries, including artist residencies, international exchanges and participation in European projects. These ambitions closely reflect the approach of Moving Classics: Sonic Bridges, which combines artistic development with sustained cooperation between organisations working in different cultural and geographical contexts. The international Pitch & Match sessions provided a platform for organisations to share projects, introduce opportunities and establish connections for future collaboration.
The conference concluded with a commitment to continued regional and international cooperation, including new exchanges, residencies and collaborative projects. For Moving Classics: Sonic Bridges, participation in Belgrade was another opportunity to connect its growing European network with creative practitioners and organisations across the Western Balkans. As the project progresses towards the completion and presentation of its ten short films, these relationships will help extend its reach and support its central ambition of bringing people together through culture.
