Zagreb hosts BLEND conference to bridge film and gaming industries

The third edition of the BLEND: Film & Games conference took place on October 23 and 24, 2024, at Algebra Bernays University in Zagreb. The event gathered over 750 attendees and 60 domestic and international speakers from the film, television, and gaming sectors.

Key discussions focused on the integration of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual production, and transmedia projects. Industry experts from major productions such as 'The Witcher', 'Cyberpunk 2077', and 'Avatar' participated in sessions regarding the evolving creative landscape.

A significant development announced during the conference was a proposal for increased state support for the Croatian gaming industry. Krešimir Partl, State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Media, announced plans to increase incentives for local developers and the film industry. Additionally, a proposal was discussed to establish a legal model requiring large gaming platforms to allocate a portion of their revenue toward the development of the domestic video game industry, a move estimated by HAVC Director Chris P. Marcich could secure an additional 4 to 5 million euros.