The City of Niš has entrusted the organization of its inaugural International Film Festival to a private enterprise from Trstenik, alongside the Cultural Center, raising questions about transparency and financial management. The festival, held in August, cost the city approximately 30 million dinars, with two dinners alone accounting for nearly two million dinars. The financial details of the festival were disclosed following a request for public information, revealing the absence of a specified contract price for the services of the private company involved.

The decision to organize the festival came shortly after the Association of Film Actors announced the Niš Film Meetings, a traditional event that had been discontinued two years prior. The establishment of the International Film Festival is perceived as a governmental response to this announcement, leading to significant expenditure by the city.

The organizational contract was signed with a private business named “Čičak 2023” from Trstenik, rather than the more experienced “Double Taurus,” which had suggested the festival’s concept. The choice of “Čičak 2023,” a company that had been inactive until shortly before the festival’s announcement, has prompted scrutiny regarding its qualifications and the rationale behind its selection. The contract specified that the Niš Cultural Center would receive 30 million dinars for its role, but the financial terms for “Čičak 2023” were not disclosed.

The festival’s budget included substantial costs for accommodation, with hotels such as “Ambassador” and “Tami Residens” receiving millions of dinars. Additional expenses included four million dinars for red carpet arrangements and 4.5 million dinars for performances by the Niš Philharmonic and cabaret musicians. The festival also spent significant amounts on design services, promotional materials, and film screening rights.

The involvement of Željko Mitrović, a controversial figure in the Serbian media landscape, has further complicated the festival’s organization. Mitrović’s company, Pink Media Group, was one of the festival’s sponsors, and he personally facilitated the attendance of actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, who reportedly participated without a fee.

The festival’s financial opacity and the involvement of a private company with unclear credentials have sparked concerns about accountability and the future of such cultural events in Niš. The local community hopes for the return of the traditional Niš Film Meetings, which have historically celebrated the city’s cinematic heritage. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in managing cultural events transparently and effectively, particularly in the context of public expenditure and cultural representation.