Regional Acting Talents Conquer Europe: Fifth, Most Dynamic Edition of the “ReActing as a Star” Platform Concludes

Kranj once again became the epicenter of the European film industry! The fifth edition of the international platform ReActing as a Star has successfully concluded, reaffirming its status as a key and unique regional meeting point for acting talent and leading European film professionals. From June 12 to 14, an intensive three-day program hosted twelve selected actors and actresses from Southeast Europe, offering them, through expert workshops, panels, and one-on-one meetings, a direct gateway to developing international careers and networking within the European audiovisual community.

Behind this successful film story, which raises the bar year after year, are producers Pari Pikule and Secret Arts Cinema. The project was realized in partnership with the Slovenian Film Centre and with strong support from the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, the Film Center of Serbia, and the Film Centre of Montenegro. The platform’s international reputation is best reflected in its long-standing collaborations with elite global casting associations – the International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) and the Casting Society (CSA).

A New Generation of Actors Ready for the Global Stage

This year’s program brought together twelve exceptional emerging acting talents who are already making an impact in the region and now aim for international screens. Participants in the fifth edition included: Maja Izetbegović and Zlatan Vidović (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Romina Tonković and Roko Sikavica (Croatia), Lea Mihevc, Urban Kuntarić, and Klemen Novak (Slovenia), Isidora Simijonović and Miodrag Dragićević (Serbia), Jelena Laban and Lazar Dragojević (Montenegro), and Slagjana Vujoshevikj (North Macedonia). Through presentations of their previous work, they made invaluable professional connections with leading international experts in casting, production, and talent representation.

The program was spectacularly opened by internationally acclaimed Slovenian star Katarina Čas. In the talk “From Slovenia to Global Screen,” she shared her extensive experience and the challenges of balancing a career between the regional and Hollywood scenes.

Čas emphasized the importance of the platform:“When I was starting out, there were no such programs in Slovenia and it was really difficult. That’s why I believe this project is extremely important. Actors here have the opportunity to meet talent agents and casting directors. They also had a lecture on how to make a good self-tape, what to pay attention to and common mistakes. They received so many useful insights that I thought: ‘Wow, no one told me this a few years ago.’”

She was joined by a special guest, acclaimed American actor trained at the prestigious Juilliard School, Darren Pettie (known for roles in hit series Mad Men and Foundation), who offered participants an exclusive insight into how the demanding American market works through inspiring conversations.

Pettie shared his enthusiasm about what he saw in Kranj: “What is happening here is a commendable and unique regional project. I think the program is fantastic because it brings together professional, highly talented actors from all countries of the former Yugoslavia, connects them, and gives them a chance for a larger international career, something that does not exist in the U.S.”

Career-Changing Meetings and Practical Knowledge

The central and most intense part of the program consisted of individual meetings between actors and renowned international casting directors who directly shape the contemporary European film and television landscape. The guests in Kranj included: Pauline Hansson (Sweden), Timka Grin (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Maurilio Mangano and Teresa Razzauti (Italy), Anders Nygaard (Denmark), Claudia Blunt (United Kingdom), and Alexandra Koknat (Germany). These “face-to-face” encounters opened doors to potential future roles in major European co-productions.

Saturday’s program featured screenings of participants’ showreels moderated by writer and journalist Srđan Sandić, while award-winning Montenegrin director Ivan Marinović, in his lecture “Filmmaking and Performance,” analyzed the complex creative relationship between director and actor, as well as the challenges of modern production.

The final day was dedicated to practice and concrete tools. Italian casting director Maurilio Mangano led the workshop “Worlding in an Empty Box – The Self Tape as an Act of Creation,” teaching actors how to excel in international online auditions. This was followed by a heated panel discussion “Play locally, act internationally” on the role of acting agents, featuring representatives of leading regional agencies Zona Talents, Slavic Artists Management, and Fidelis Actors, alongside distinguished international guest Joseph Powell from the UK agency Curtis Brown.

The program concluded with an open and dynamic “Ask Me Anything” conversation, during which actors and industry guests openly discussed all challenges of the profession, marking the end of yet another triumphant edition of the project.

Five Years of Becoming the Region’s Most Important Acting Hub

Program director Tina Hajon stated: “When we launched ReActing as a Star, we wanted to create a place for connection, exchange, and new opportunities for actors from our region. Five years later, we are proud of the exceptional talent we bring together and of how important it is to build a community that supports one another and connects with the international industry. Our greatest reward is the success of our participants and the visibility and recognition they have gained through this program.”

In its five years of existence, ReActing as a Star has brought together more than 70 actors and actresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia, connecting them with the elite of the European industry. Through talent promotion, training, and opening concrete opportunities on the global market, the platform has grown into one of the most important and influential film events in Southeast Europe.

More information is available on the official website: www.reactingasastar.com