AGP Executive Report

Arts & Fashion: Nojolie’s contemporary fashion label brought migration, heritage and identity to London’s Renaissance 2026, pairing runway shows with an art exhibition and live performances that included designers and artists from North Macedonia. Film & TV: The Bucharest International Film Festival (BIFF) unveiled its 2026 competition lineup, with North Macedonia’s “17” among the award contenders, and a new “Visionnaire – Art & Cinema” section set to link cinema and fine arts. Regional Cinema Buzz: “DJ Ahmet” (North Macedonia) led the Adriatic Film and TV Awards nominees with seven nods, ahead of “Yugo Florida” and other top regional titles. Local Culture: Šuto Orizari’s “Maškari Amende” festival runs Sept 11–12, celebrating 30 years of the municipality with music, youth activities and cultural exchanges. Independence Celebrations: North Macedonia marks 35 years since independence with concerts and a multimedia performance featuring 120 artists. Health Watch: Skopje reports eight hospitalized neuroinvasive West Nile virus cases and an eighth death, prompting intensified mosquito control and guidance for older residents.

Cinema & Culture: Riverbank Arts Centre’s Autumn cinema season spotlights major titles and events, including the 25th anniversary screening of French cult hit Amélie and a North Macedonia-set music story with DJ Ahmet (12 Oct), plus NT Live theatre and late-year festive classics. Film Industry: The Bucharest International Film Festival (18–27 Sept) has unveiled its 22nd-edition competition lineup, with North Macedonia’s 17 among award contenders, and a new “Visionnaire – Art & Cinema” section linking cinema with fine arts. Regional Screen Awards: The Adriatic Film and TV Awards nominees put North Macedonia’s DJ Ahmet at the top in film categories, leading the race ahead of Yugo Florida and other regional hits. Local Arts Calendar: Šuto Orizari’s Maškari Amende festival (11–12 Sept) marks 30 years of the municipality with music, youth activities, and cultural performances. Independence Celebrations: North Macedonia marks 35 years since independence (8 Sept) with concerts and a large-scale multimedia performance featuring 120 artists. Health & Community: Skopje reports a rise in West Nile virus cases, with eight hospitalized and an eighth death confirmed, prompting intensified mosquito control measures.

Adriatic Film & TV Awards: “DJ Ahmet” (Georgi M. Unkovski) leads the nominees with seven nods, followed by “Yugo Florida” (six), while North Macedonia’s “Mother” (Teona Strugar Mitevska) and “God Will Not Help” (Hana Jušić) also score big ahead of the Oct. 24 ceremony in Montenegro. Independence Day Culture: North Macedonia marks 35 years since independence with concerts and a multimedia performance, “A Brightly Shining Day,” featuring 120 artists, plus official commemorations at key graves. Public Health: Skopje reports eight hospitalized cases of neuroinvasive West Nile virus and a new death, prompting intensified mosquito-control measures and added guidance for older and immunosuppressed people. Local Arts & Community: “Maškari Amende” returns Sept. 11–12 in Šuto Orizari, celebrating 30 years of the municipality with music, youth activities, and performances including the Roma Rock School Band. International Film Festival Spotlight: Bucharest International Film Festival (Sept. 18–27, 2026) reveals its competition lineup, including North Macedonia entries.

Independence Celebrations: North Macedonia marks 35 years since its Sept. 8, 1991 independence declaration, with flowers laid at key leaders’ graves and cultural events continuing through the month, including a Jose Carreras concert and the multimedia performance “A Brightly Shining Day” featuring 120 artists. Film & TV Buzz: “DJ Ahmet,” directed by Georgi M. Unkovski, is leading the Adriatic Film and TV Awards cinema nominations, with North Macedonia among the credited countries; winners will be announced Oct. 24 in Montenegro. Puppetry Spotlight: Violetka Antonova of Bulgaria won an acting award at Podgorica’s 13th International Puppet Festival for “Adventures with Karlsson,” with a jury that included productions from North Macedonia. Community Arts: “Maškari Amende” runs Sept. 11–12 in Šuto Orizari, celebrating 30 years of the municipality with music, youth activities, and performances including the Roma Rock School Band. Health & Culture Crossover: Skopje reports eight hospitalized neuroinvasive West Nile virus cases and a new death, as mosquito-spraying measures ramp up. Digital Rights: UNICEF highlights the scale of tech-facilitated sexual abuse of children, with North Macedonia included in the multi-country findings. International Arts Research: North Macedonia is among 15 countries sending scholars to Azerbaijan’s Altay Communities Symposium in Baku.

Independence Celebrations: North Macedonia marks its 35th anniversary of independence on September 8, with flowers laid at key leaders’ graves and cultural events continuing through the month, including a Jose Carreras concert and the multimedia performance “A Brightly Shining Day” featuring 120 artists. Local Culture: The “Maškari Amende” festival returns September 11–12 in Šuto Orizari, celebrating 30 years of the municipality with music, community activities, and performances by groups including Roma Rock School Band. Film & Media: Sofia DocuMental announced new documentary competitions, including a Best International Human Rights Film prize with a jury featuring North Macedonian filmmaker Kumjana Novakova. Public Health: Skopje’s Infectious Diseases Clinic reports eight hospitalized neuroinvasive West Nile virus cases and a new death, as authorities intensify mosquito control and guidance for older residents. Digital Safety: UNICEF says about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse, with North Macedonia among the covered countries. Arts & Community: “Maškari Amende” also highlights youth-focused programming and cultural exchanges, aiming to connect generations through Roma heritage.

UNICEF Child Safety: A new UNICEF report says about 20 million teens aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with North Macedonia flagged among the places where the risk of suicidal thoughts is especially high. Public Health: Skopje’s Infectious Diseases Clinic reports 8 hospitalized cases of neuroinvasive West Nile virus and a new death; authorities have stepped up mosquito spraying and emergency guidance, especially for people over 60. Independence Celebrations: North Macedonia marks 35 years since independence, with events across September including a Jose Carreras concert and a large multimedia performance featuring 120 artists. Community Arts: The “Maškari Amende” festival returns Sept 11–12 in Šuto Orizari, celebrating 30 years of the municipality with music, cultural exchanges, and youth-focused activities. Film & Culture: Manaki Brothers 2026 announces its competition lineup, including regional premieres and major international co-productions. Sports & Spotlight: Napoli’s Scott McTominay is recovering after a “complete success” heart ablation, expected to miss key club and Scotland Nations League matches that include North Macedonia.

Independence Celebrations: North Macedonia marks its 35th anniversary of independence today, with flowers laid at the graves of Kiro Gligorov, Boris Trajkovski and Nikola Kljusev, plus cultural events running through the month including a Jose Carreras concert and the multimedia performance “A Brightly Shining Day” featuring 120 artists. Community Culture: The “Maškari Amende” festival returns Sept 11–12 in Šuto Orizari, celebrating 30 years of the municipality with music, youth activities, cultural exchanges, and performances including the Roma Rock School Band. Public Health & Safety: Skopje’s Infectious Diseases Clinic reports eight hospitalized cases of neuroinvasive West Nile virus and a total of eight deaths so far, prompting intensified mosquito spraying and updated guidance for people over 60 and immunosuppressed patients. Film & Screen Culture: Manaki Brothers 2026 has announced its competition lineup, including Camera 300, Documentary, International Short Film and Student selections, with regional premieres planned in Bitola. Sports Spotlight: Napoli confirms Scott McTominay’s heart ablation was a “complete success,” with a short rest period before a return to training; meanwhile Rangers’ Bojan Miovski has parted ways with his agent as his Ibrox future stays uncertain.

Independence Celebrations: North Macedonia marks its 35th anniversary of independence today, with flowers laid at the graves of Kiro Gligorov, Boris Trajkovski and Nikola Kljusev, plus cultural events running through the month including a Jose Carreras concert and the multimedia performance “A Brightly Shining Day” featuring 120 artists. Local Culture: The “Maškari Amende” festival returns Sept 11–12 in Šuto Orizari, celebrating 30 years of the municipality with music, youth activities, and performances including the Roma Rock School Band. Public Health: Skopje’s Infectious Diseases Clinic reports eight hospitalized cases of neuroinvasive West Nile virus and a new weekend death; authorities have intensified mosquito spraying and issued updated guidance for people over 60 and immunosuppressed patients. Film & Oscars: Kosara Mitić’s debut feature “17” has been selected as North Macedonia’s candidate for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. Arts & Community: The ERIAC-backed “Maškari Amende” highlights Roma heritage through intergenerational cultural exchanges and performances. Digital Safety: UNICEF warns that nearly 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse, with North Macedonia flagged among higher-risk cases.

UNICEF Child Safety: UNICEF reports nearly 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries suffered tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in one year, with almost 60% of cases happening on social media; in North Macedonia, the risk of suicidal thoughts is reported as more than eight times higher for affected children. Film & Oscars: North Macedonia’s Oscar bid is set with “17,” Kosara Mitić’s debut feature, a North Macedonia–Serbia–Slovenia coproduction that premiered in Berlinale’s Perspectives and has already won awards. Cinema Spotlight: Manaki Brothers 2026 has unveiled its competition lineup for its 47th edition, including regional premieres and international co-productions screening in Bitola. Local Arts Industry: UNESCO-backed recommendations for digital platform governance and media rights have been adopted across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, aiming to strengthen journalism as a public good. Sports (North Macedonia): Rangers striker Bojan Miovski confirmed he has sacked his agent and will represent himself, as his Ibrox future remains uncertain.

UNICEF Report: A new UNICEF study says about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in one year, with nearly 60% of cases happening on social media; in North Macedonia, the risk of suicidal thoughts is reported as more than eight times higher than average. Film & Awards: North Macedonia has selected Kosara Mitić’s debut feature 17 as its candidate for the 99th Oscars (Best International Feature), a co-production with Serbia and Slovenia that tackles identity, sexuality, and societal pressure. Cinema Spotlight: Manaki Brothers Film Festival 2026 has unveiled its competition lineup, including regional premieres and major international titles, with the festival set to honour cinematographer Dan Laustsen. Digital Media Governance: UNESCO-backed recommendations for rights-based governance of digital platforms and media have been adopted across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia. Sports (Local Interest): Bojan Miovski’s agent has been sacked as his Rangers future stays uncertain, with the striker set to manage his own career for now.

Film & Festivals: Manaki Brothers Film Festival has unveiled the competition lineup for its 47th edition, with 51 films across Camera 300, Documentary, International Short Film, and Student categories, including regional premieres in Bitola. Local Cinema: Kosara Mitić’s debut feature 17 has been selected as North Macedonia’s candidate for the 99th Oscars (Best International Feature), with a Berlinale Perspectives premiere and awards already in the bag. International Screenings: Yugo Goes to America is set for cinema runs across the region, including North Macedonia, bringing a road-trip documentary about the cult Yugo to local audiences. Digital Safety & Media: UNICEF reports nearly 20 million children (ages 12–17) across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a year, with North Macedonia included in the study. Media Governance: UNESCO-backed recommendations for rights-based digital platform governance have been adopted across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia. Culture in Motion: Montenegro Film Rendezvous highlighted projects involving North Macedonia, while Kyrgyzstan’s World Nomad Games crowned Vasil Angelov of North Macedonia with first place at an international ethnic music festival.

Meta & Media Rights: SafeJournalists says Meta is blocking access to public-interest accounts in Albania, including Euronews Albania’s Instagram and Citizens.al’s Facebook, with no clear explanation—raising fresh concerns for journalists and civic voices. UNICEF Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 20 million children (ages 12–17) across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation/abuse in a year, with nearly 60% of cases on mainstream social media; the study also highlights severe mental-health impacts and widespread underreporting. North Macedonia Film Spotlight: Skopje’s debut feature “17” (Kosara Mitić) is selected as North Macedonia’s candidate for the 99th Oscars in the International Feature Film category. Regional Arts & Culture: “Köçmön dörru” at the World Nomad Games crowned Kyrgyz performer Nurdoolot Derkembaev, with North Macedonia’s Vasil Angelov taking first place. Energy & Infrastructure: Greece, North Macedonia and Serbia sign an MoU to extend the Vertical Gas Corridor, boosting regional energy connectivity. Digital Media Governance: UNESCO backs rights-based recommendations for platform governance and media trust across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia.

Film & Awards: North Macedonia’s debut-feature “17” by Kosara Mitić has been selected as the country’s candidate for the 99th Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category, with a co-production involving Serbia and Slovenia; it’s already picked up wins including Best director (shared) at the Herceg Novi Film Festival and Best International Debut at Jerusalem. Digital Safety: UNICEF released a major report estimating that about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year, with North Macedonia among the places where risks of suicidal thoughts were especially high. Energy & Infrastructure: Greece and Balkan partners signed an MoU to extend the Vertical Gas Corridor to North Macedonia and Serbia, aiming to strengthen cross-border energy security. Culture & Music: Kyrgyzstan’s Nurdoolot Derkembaev won Grand Prix at the World Nomad Games’ ethnic music festival, with North Macedonia’s Vasil Angelov taking first place. Media Governance: UNESCO backed adoption of multi-stakeholder recommendations to improve digital platform and media governance across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia.

Film & Festivals: North Macedonia’s Oscar bid is taking shape: Kosara Mitić’s debut feature 17 has been selected as the country’s candidate for the 99th Academy Awards (Best International Feature Film), with a story centered on a 17-year-old facing identity, sexuality, and trauma; the teen-led coproduction (North Macedonia/Serbia/Slovenia) has already picked up awards including Best International Debut at Jerusalem. Cinema Screenings: Documentary Yugo Goes to America is rolling out across the region, with screenings scheduled in North Macedonia as part of its wider Balkan cinema tour. Music & Culture: At the international ethnomusic festival “Köçmön dörru” in Cholpon-Ata, North Macedonia’s Vasil Angelov won first place, while Kyrgyzstani Nurdoolot Derkembaev took the grand prize. Digital Safety & Media Governance: UNESCO-backed recommendations for rights-based digital platform governance have been adopted across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, aiming to strengthen journalism and tackle disinformation. Online Child Safety: UNICEF’s new report warns that about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse, with social media named in nearly 60% of cases.

Film & Oscars: North Macedonia’s Oscar bid is set: Kosara Mitić’s debut feature 17 has been chosen as the country’s candidate for the 99th Academy Awards (Best International Feature Film), a North Macedonia–Serbia–Slovenia coproduction inspired by a real event and already backed by festival wins including Best International Debut at Jerusalem. Digital Safety: UNICEF’s new report Through Children’s Eyes warns that about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries face tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year, with nearly 60% of cases happening on mainstream social media—an especially urgent issue for North Macedonia as the study includes the country. Media Governance: UNESCO-backed recommendations for rights-based digital platform governance have been adopted across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, aiming to strengthen journalism as a public good and tackle disinformation. Sports (Local Interest): EuroVolley 2026’s countdown is on in Sofia, with a giant volleyball installation unveiled in Sveta Nedelya Square; Bulgaria’s opening match features North Macedonia.

Oscar Watch (Film): North Macedonia’s Oscar bid is set with Kosara Mitić’s debut feature 17, a North Macedonia–Serbia–Slovenia coproduction about a 17-year-old facing trauma, secrets, identity, sexuality, and pressure; the film was produced by Black Cat Production with regional partners and support from local film agencies, and it’s already picked up awards including Best International Debut at Jerusalem and Best director (shared) at Herceg Novi. UNICEF & Youth Safety (Digital Media): UNICEF’s new report Through Children’s Eyes estimates that about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in one year, with nearly 60% of cases happening on mainstream social platforms; it also highlights severe mental health impacts and that most victims don’t report to authorities. Regional Screenings (Documentary): The Serbian documentary Yugo Goes to America is rolling into cinemas across the region, with screenings scheduled in North Macedonia as part of its wider theatrical run. Arts & Culture Calendar (Film Festival): The Manaki Brothers Film Festival has unveiled its programme for its 47th edition in Bitola (19–25 September), including a main competition of 12 films and industry events with major cinematography names.