ReActing as a Star 2025: Regional Acting Talents Once Again in the Spotlight of Leading International Casting Directors

The fourth edition of the international networking training program ReActing as a Star, initiated by the Slovenian Film Centre, will take place from June 13 to 15, 2025. Organized by Pari Pikule and Secret Arts Cinema, the program brings together 12 selected actors from the region—Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia—with the goal of strengthening their professional skills, connecting them with key figures in the film industry, and opening doors to European and international projects. ReActing as a Star is taking place alongside KRAFFT Film Festival.

This year’s participants include Admir Šehović and Helena Vuković from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Marina Redžepović and Janko Popović Volarić from Croatia; Vesna Kuzmić, Jurij Drevenšek, and Alen Kermac from Slovenia; Milica Janevski and Joakim Tasić from Serbia; Vule Marković and Lidija Kordić from Montenegro; and Ana Stojanovska from North Macedonia. Joining this year’s edition as a special guest is Judita Franković Brdar, a prominent Croatian actress and participant in the first edition of ReActing as a Star. Her involvement reinforces the program’s continuity and impact, which continues to build bridges across generations, countries, and stages of its alumni's careers.

The program kicks off on Friday, June 13, with the presentation of ReActing participants through showreel screenings and short interviews moderated by writer and journalist Srđan Sandić. This session allows the actors to get to know each other and introduce themselves to industry professionals, laying the groundwork for further conversations throughout the program.

Saturday is dedicated to hands-on work and meetings with top international casting directors hosted by ReActing as a Star. The morning workshop, Mastering the Art of Self-Taping, will be led by Cassandra Han, an American casting director based in Italy and Germany, specializing in multilingual projects and working with international actors. Her career includes work on films such as A Hidden Life and Ford v Ferrari, as well as Netflix’s hit series Barbarians, collaborating with directors like Terrence Malick and James Mangold. Her expertise in connecting local talent with global productions will make this workshop an invaluable experience for all participants.

Later in the day, actors will take part in one-on-one meetings with casting directors—some of the most relevant names on the European scene. Timka Grin, a Sarajevo-based casting director known for her work on Skyfall, Murina, and Death in Sarajevo, is renowned for discovering acting talents who transcend the boundaries of local industries. Anders Nygaard, a casting director from Dennmark with twenty years of experience, has worked on projects like The Bridge and Normal People, and is known for his mentoring approach and precision in working with emerging talent. Laura Muccino, one of Italy’s leading casting directors, is celebrated for her work on auteur films and series such as Gomorrah and My Brilliant Friend. Sien Josephine Teijssen, a Belgian casting director, is known for films like Julie Keeps Quiet and Young Hearts, where she cast authentic, often non-professional actors who bring raw emotional truth to the screen. These meetings offer actors valuable insights into international casting processes, along with specific professional advice and guidance.

Saturday afternoon features a panel conversation between talent agents. In line with the program's motto “Play locally, act internationally”, the panel will focus on strategies for positioning regional actors on the international market. Participants include regional agents from Zona Talents, Slavic Artists Management, and Fidelis, as well as Lara Abul Failat, an American agent whose LA-based agency specializes in connecting European and Middle Eastern actors with Hollywood productions. Their experience in developing international careers and diverse approaches to representation provide actors with a broader context and tools to understand market mechanisms.

The final day, Sunday, June 15, is dedicated to on-camera performance through the workshop Energising the Scene, led by acclaimed Slovenian actor Sebastian Cavazza, with over thirty years of experience in film, theatre, and television. Throughout his career, Cavazza has performed in over eighty roles on stage and on screen, including in films such as Men Don't Cry and A.I. Rising, as well as in series like Besa and Shadows over the Balkans. Cavazza will guide participants through the nuances of screen acting, with a focus on expressiveness within the frame, performance precision, and interpretation.

The program concludes with an Ask Me Anything session with casting directors, offering open dialogue and the opportunity to ask specific questions about challenges and opportunities in building an international acting career.

Over its four editions, ReActing as a Star has brought together more than 60 actors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia, along with numerous esteemed international casting directors, filmmakers, producers, and agents. The program continues to draw significant interest from actors each year, while casting directors value it as a platform for discovering fresh talent from underrepresented countries in the region.

Since its inception, over 60 actors have established important connections with leading international professionals. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, more than 15 participants signed with international agents. Every year, at least one participant lands a role in a European production outside their home country. The program’s growing success is further evidenced by the participation of esteemed guests such as Nathalie Chéron (Luc Besson's films), Yngvill Kolset Haga (The Worst Person in the World), and Sam Jones (Royal Shakespeare Company), who consistently praise the professionalism and quality of the participants.

Beyond its industry significance, ReActing as a Star also fosters a strong cultural and educational dimension. Among its mentors have been prominent regional directors such as Teona Strugar Mitevska, Aida Begić, and Damjan Kozole, as well as renowned actors including Branka Katić, Leon Lučev, Jelena Graovac Lučev, and Zlatko Burić, whose participation has further underscored the international relevance of the initiative. Developed in partnership with the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Center Serbia, Film Centre of Montenegro, the International Casting Directors Association, the Filmmakers platform, the Slovenian Actors’ Guild, and the KRAFFT Festival, ReActing as a Star has become a key platform for promoting and internationalizing regional acting talent.