The Niš International Film Festival, held from August 25 to 30, has come under scrutiny due to concerns over its financial management and transparency. Recent revelations indicate that the festival was organized by Double Taurus, a private production company based in Belgrade, rather than the City of Niš, as previously stated on the festival’s official site. This disclosure has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the event’s financial dealings.

The total reported cost of the festival was 37 million dinars, with 30 million dinars allocated from the City of Niš’s budget. However, the contract with another private entity, “Čičak 2023” from Trstenik, did not specify the financial terms, leaving the exact amount paid to this company undisclosed. This lack of clarity has sparked concerns about the accountability of public funds used in organizing the festival.

Documents published by “Južne vesti” reveal that the Niš Cultural Center (NKC), the official organizer, proposed the festival’s establishment after consultations with the mayor of Niš and receiving a proposal from Double Taurus. The NKC highlighted Double Taurus’s experience in organizing film festivals in Serbia, which includes the Festival of Film Screenplays in Vrnjačka Banja, known for its association with Željko Mitrović.

Interestingly, the contract for organizing the festival was not made with the City of Niš but with the Ministry of Culture. The ministry initially approved a payment of seven million dinars to Double Taurus for branding, stage setup, and LED screen rentals. This approval came before the formal contract was signed on September 11, raising further questions about the procedural integrity of the festival’s financial management.

The involvement of Double Taurus and the absence of specified financial terms in the contract with “Čičak 2023” have led to concerns about the transparency and accountability of cultural funding in Serbia. The situation underscores the need for clear financial agreements and transparency in the use of public funds, especially in cultural events that rely heavily on government support.

The festival’s financial irregularities have potential implications for public trust in cultural events and could affect future festivals. The lack of clarity regarding the financial terms with “Čičak 2023” and the undisclosed amounts paid to them highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in cultural funding. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact the festival’s reputation and the broader cultural sector in Serbia.