Niš film festivals split amid political divisions

The cultural landscape in Niš, Serbia, is facing significant fragmentation as the historic Filmski susreti festival, established in 1966, fails to hold its 60th edition under its traditional format. Instead, two competing festivals are being organized by the festival's original co-founders: the City of Niš and the Association of Film Actors of Serbia (UFGS).

The split reflects deep political divisions within the city. The City of Niš is organizing an International Film Festival in the Crveni krst municipality, which is controlled by the ruling party. Meanwhile, the UFGS is organizing the Niški filmski festival in the Medijana municipality, an area controlled by the opposition. Both entities claim to be the legitimate successors to the original festival's tradition.

Film professional Svetozar Cvetković has commented on the broader state of culture, warning against the trend of art being dictated by political shifts. He argues that artistic programs should not depend on which government is in power and cautioned that the current antagonism within the cultural community—where one side refuses to work and the other relies on state budgets—threatens the survival of the arts.