AGP Executive Report

Film & Festivals: The Shanghai International Film Festival has revealed its Golden Goblet competition lineup, with all 12 main entries premiering worldwide—an eye-catcher for regional audiences who follow Balkan talent and co-productions. EU Diplomacy: European Council President Antonio Costa kicks off a Western Balkans tour, with stops including Skopje, where he meets Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski ahead of the EU–Western Balkans Summit. Sports (BiH vs North Macedonia): Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia played out a goalless friendly in Sarajevo as coach Sergej Barbarez used the match to test squad options ahead of the World Cup. Local Arts/Language Context: Reports highlight ongoing tensions around language rights in North Macedonia, including protests tied to the bar exam being taken in Macedonian only. Extradition Watch: Former PM Nikola Gruevski’s Hungarian citizenship claim returns to focus in North Macedonia, with officials saying they lack confirmation while extradition questions linger.

Press Freedom: Reporters Without Borders’ 2026 World Press Freedom Index says global press freedom is at a 25-year low, with over half of countries now in “difficult” or “very serious” categories. Terror & Courts: A U.S. case links Iran-aligned networks to attacks on Jewish sites in Europe and plots targeting diaspora communities, while another report details the alleged Iran-linked mastermind Mohammad Baqer al-Saadi. North Macedonia in Focus: Reports say former PM Nikola Gruevski received Hungarian citizenship in 2022, complicating extradition; North Macedonia’s Justice Ministry says the process continues. Language & Law: Albanian-language bar exam protests in Skopje highlight the ongoing fight over language rights in professional exams. Football (Culture & Community): Bosnia and North Macedonia played a goalless friendly in Sarajevo as both teams fine-tune World Cup plans, with Koševo’s fan atmosphere front and center. Film & Industry: Shanghai’s Golden Goblet lineup is out, and TIFF has unveiled competitive sections; meanwhile, Beldocs Industry Days wrapped up in Belgrade with pitching winners.

Film & Festivals: The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival has revealed the Golden Goblet competition lineup (June 12–21), with world premieres across fiction, documentary, animation and short film, including entries from China, Germany, Turkey-Germany and more. Football (BiH vs North Macedonia): Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia meet in Sarajevo for a World Cup warm-up, with BiH coach Sergej Barbarez calling it a “test of character” after a goalless friendly and promising chances for many players. Politics & EU (North Macedonia): SDSM leader Venko Filipce is pushing for a referendum on EU membership, arguing citizens should decide amid claims the government is blocking progress. Legal/Extradition: Reports say former PM Nikola Gruevski received Hungarian citizenship in 2022, complicating any extradition back to North Macedonia, though the justice ministry says the process continues. Culture/Industry: Beldocs Industry Days wrapped up in Belgrade with pitching awards for documentary projects, highlighting the region’s growing documentary scene.

Cinema & Culture Watch: North Macedonia’s cinemas logged 299,560 admissions in 2025, down 10.4% from 2024, with screenings and film numbers also falling; Karposh’s Cineplexx still leads with over 80% of admissions. Documentary Industry: Beldocs Industry Days wrapped in Belgrade with a pitching forum awarding projects including “Silence of the Classroom” and “Symbols of War,” plus XR Academy recognition for “Little Radio Orchestra.” Film Festival Buzz: TIFF 2026 in Cluj-Napoca has unveiled its competitive line-ups, with eight European titles in the International Competition. Local Arts & Early Music: Twelfth Night’s “Italian greats” program lands June 11 at Princeton Festival, spotlighting Vivaldi, Durante and Locatelli. Sports & Identity: Protests over language rules for the bar exam continue to ripple through Skopje’s public debate, as students demand Albanian-language testing. Politics Meets Justice: Reports say former PM Nikola Gruevski’s Hungarian citizenship complicates extradition, while North Macedonia’s SDSM leader calls for an EU membership referendum. International Spotlight: A New York case links Iran to an alleged terror campaign targeting Jewish sites, including plots tied to Europe and the diaspora.

Cinema & Culture Watch: North Macedonia cinemas logged 299,560 admissions in 2025, down 10.4% year-on-year, with fewer screenings and fewer domestic titles, while Skopje’s Karposh (Cineplexx) still drives over 80% of attendance. Documentary Industry: Bio to B – Doc&Drama returns to Bologna on 8–10 June with 400+ professionals, 30 industry meetings, and 42 selected projects for documentary, publishing, and audiovisual networking. Film Festival Buzz: TIFF’s 25th edition (12–21 June, Cluj-Napoca) unveiled its competitive line-ups, with strong European presence across fiction and documentary sections. Local Arts & Events: Sofia Pride Film Fest 2026 runs 2–12 June in Sofia, premiering eight features and eleven shorts, with a Feminist Gala on 5 June. Language & Law (Arts-adjacent): Albanian-language bar exam protests in Skopje highlight ongoing tensions over language rights versus the bar exam’s Macedonian-only requirement. Sports as Entertainment: Bosnia and Herzegovina hosts North Macedonia in Sarajevo on 29 May ahead of the World Cup, with coach Sergej Barbarez calling it a “test of character.”

Cinema & Culture Watch: North Macedonia’s cinemas logged 299,560 admissions in 2025, down 10.4% year-on-year, with screenings and films shown also falling as the market leaned more on domestic titles. Documentary Industry: Beldocs Industry Days wrapped in Belgrade with pitching wins for projects including “Symbols of War,” highlighting the region’s documentary momentum. Film Festival Spotlight: TIFF (Transilvania International Film Festival) revealed its 12-21 June line-up, with eight European titles in the International Competition and a strong documentary slate. Music Breakthrough: Skopje DJ/producer Xsoundbeatz is going international as “Albanian 67” gains TikTok traction across Brazil and parts of Africa. Theatre & Performance: Brussels hosts “Agamemnon: The Circle of Blood” on 17 June, a cross-border hybrid mixing stage, cinema, and displacement narratives. Arts & Society: North Macedonia’s SDSM leader Venko Filipce called for a referendum on EU membership, tying the debate to cultural and civic stakes.

EU Accession Politics: North Macedonia’s opposition SDSM leader Venko Filipce is calling for a referendum on whether the country should join the EU, arguing citizens should decide amid claims the government is “lying” and that EU concessions would be paid by ordinary people. Film Funding: The government has approved a Draft Law on Games of Chance that earmarks 3% of betting levies for the North Macedonia Film Agency, aiming to restart a funding stream that was cut after a 2016 court ruling. Cinema Trends: New state data shows North Macedonia cinemas logged 299,560 admissions in 2025, down 10.4% year-on-year, with fewer screenings and fewer domestic films, while Karposh’s Cineplexx still dominates attendance. Music Breakout: Skopje DJ/producer Xsoundbeatz is going international as his instrumental “Albanian 67” gains TikTok traction across Brazil and parts of Africa. Arts & Culture Loss: Three 20-year-olds and opera baritone Riste Velkov died in a crash near Skopje, prompting tributes from the National Opera and Ballet and the Faculty of Arts.

Film Funding: North Macedonia’s Government approved a Draft Law on Games of Chance that earmarks 3% of gambling levies for the North Macedonia Film Agency, aiming to revive a funding stream that was cut after a 2016 court ruling and to boost domestic film, TV series, and young creators. Cinema Watch: New State Statistical Office figures show North Macedonia cinemas logged 299,560 admissions in 2025, down 10.4% from 2024, with fewer screenings and films overall—though domestic titles slightly increased in performances. Music & Culture Export: Skopje DJ/producer Xsoundbeatz is going international as his instrumental “Albanian 67” gains TikTok traction across Brazil and parts of Africa. International Screenings: Belgrade’s Beldocs Industry Days wrapped with pitching, master classes, and awards tied to the 19th Beldocs Documentary Film Festival. Community Arts: Sofia Pride Film Fest 2026 (2–12 June) announced its feature and short selections, with an audience-awards focus and a Feminist Gala on 5 June. Tragedy: The National Opera and Ballet of North Macedonia mourns baritone Riste Velkov, killed in a crash on the Skopje ring road, alongside three 20-year-olds.

Cultural Funding Reset: North Macedonia is set to channel 3% of games-of-chance levies into the Film Agency, restoring a lottery/betting-style mechanism that was cut a decade ago—aimed at boosting domestic film, scripts, TV series, and young creators. Arts & Community Loss: The country mourns opera baritone Riste Velkov and three 20-year-olds after a fatal crash near Skopje, a blow felt across Skopje’s music and arts circles. Cinema Watch: 2025 saw fewer cinema visits and screenings—admissions fell 10.4% and the number of active cinemas dropped to 17, with Karposh’s Cineplexx still driving over 80% of attendance. International Spotlight: A North Macedonia–supported production, Agamemnon: The Circle of Blood, is heading to Brussels on 17 June, blending theatre and documentary to reframe ancient myth through today’s geopolitics. Music Momentum: Skopje DJ Xsoundbeatz’s Albanian 67 keeps going viral on TikTok beyond the Balkans.

Crisis Lab Boost: Rade Rajkovchevski, a Skopje-based civil protection and policing professor, has joined Crisis Lab’s newly formed advisory board, bringing regional disaster-preparedness and security governance expertise. Brussels Theatre Ticket Drop: North Macedonia’s Rafika Chawishe production “Agamemnon: The Circle of Blood” lands in Brussels on 17 June, mixing theatre, documentary performance, and post-war trauma themes. Film Funding Reset: North Macedonia’s government approved a draft Games of Chance law that restores a 3% levy stream to the Film Agency, aiming to revive domestic production support. Language Rights Flashpoint: Albanian law students’ push to take exams in Albanian continues to spark arrests and wider political tension over the Law on Use of Languages. Arts & Culture Pipeline: The Mediterrane Film Festival (Malta, 21–28 June) announced its official selection, while Eurovision 2027 return talks keep resurfacing for MRT. Sports-Adjacent Buzz: Bosnia’s World Cup preparations are underway, with friendlies vs North Macedonia and Panama on the calendar.

Conference League Final: Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in the 2026 showpiece, with both clubs chasing a rare European fairytale and the chance to stack multiple trophies for their leagues. US-Western Balkans Shift: A new US State Department report says Washington is moving from “nation-building” to stability and economic partnerships, with structured 2026 dialogues flagged for North Macedonia and Serbia. North Macedonia Film Funding: The government approved a Draft Law on Games of Chance to route 3% of levies to the Film Agency—restarting a funding mechanism that was cut a decade ago. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Skopje-based DJ Xsoundbeatz is going international as “Albanian 67” sparks TikTok acclaim, while the Mediterrane Film Festival 2026 announced its official selection in Malta. Politics & Tension: Fresh claims of espionage pressure the President’s office, and language-right protests by Albanian students keep escalating into a wider national flashpoint.

US Western Balkans Pivot: A new State Department report says the US is moving from “nation-building” to “mutually beneficial partnerships,” with stability, economic ties, and countering outside meddling now driving policy—plus structured 2026 dialogues flagged for North Macedonia and Serbia. Music Breakthrough: Skopje producer Xsoundbeatz (Mentor Zenula) is going global as his instrumental “Albanian 67” sparks TikTok traction far beyond the Balkans. Film Funding Boost: North Macedonia’s government approved a Draft Law on Games of Chance that will route 3% of gambling levies to the Film Agency—restarting a funding stream for domestic production and new creative development. Tragedy in the Arts: Three 20-year-olds and opera baritone Riste Velkov died in a crash near Skopje, a heavy blow to the local cultural scene. Festival Spotlight: Mediterrane Film Festival 2026 has announced its official selection for Malta, with 35+ films and multiple competition strands.

Public Service Spotlight: North Macedonia’s Ambassador to China, Sashko Nasev, has won the Global Fred Award for Public Service Excellence, with the Beijing ceremony praising decades of diplomacy and cultural exchange. Arts Funding Push: The government has approved a Draft Law on Games of Chance that redirects 3% of gambling levies to the North Macedonia Film Agency, aiming to restart a funding stream for scripts, production, and young filmmakers. Tragedy in Skopje: An opera community mourns after three 20-year-olds and singer Riste Velkov died in a crash on the Skopje ring road. Language Rights Tension: Albanian students continue protests over taking the judicial exam in Albanian, with arrests reported and the issue feeding wider political debate. Regional Politics Watch: Serbia’s Vucic-linked actions and an espionage scandal involving North Macedonia’s president’s office keep regional tensions in the spotlight.

NATO Summit Prep: NATO foreign ministers meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, set the stage for July’s Ankara summit with a clear push to turn the 5% defence-spending pledge into real military capability, while also flagging Russia-linked risks, drone incidents on the eastern flank, and Iran’s Strait of Hormuz disruption. North Macedonia Film Funding: Skopje approved a Draft Law on Games of Chance that restores a funding mechanism for the North Macedonia Film Agency by routing 3% of gambling levies into film—aimed at stabilising domestic production and restarting script and project development calls. Tragedy in Skopje: A crash on the Skopje ring road killed three 20-year-olds and opera baritone Riste Velkov, including his son, after a Kosovo-registered tractor-trailer broke through barriers and ignited both vehicles. Politics & Security Tensions: Opposition claims Deputy PM Ivan Stoilković has links to Serbian intelligence, as an espionage scandal around the President’s office keeps growing. Arts & Culture: Eurovision 2027 return talk continues as MRT signals intent to come back, while international comedy and arts collaborations keep feeding Skopje’s wider cultural calendar.

Cuba–US Tensions: A new report on “The World Owes Cuba A Debt” lands as the USA condemns Cuba’s role in the fallout from the 2020 Covid outbreak, keeping the spotlight on long-running sanctions and medical diplomacy. North Macedonia Film Funding: The government approved a Draft Law on Games of Chance that will redirect 3% of gambling levies to the Film Agency—restarting a funding stream that was cut after a 2016 court ruling. Tragedy in Skopje: A crash on the Skopje ring road killed three 20-year-olds and opera baritone Riste Velkov, after a tractor-trailer broke through a guardrail. Language Rights Flashpoint: Albanian law students’ push to take exams in Albanian continues, with arrests reported and the dispute feeding wider political and ethnic tensions. Regional Politics: Opposition claims Deputy PM Ivan Stoilković links to Serbian intelligence, while Serbia’s Vucic is accused of staging pro-Serb mobilization in North Macedonia.