Serbian filmmaker Srđan Dragojević has announced his intention to escalate a legal battle to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if necessary, following a protracted dispute with Serbia’s Ministry of Culture. The conflict arises from the ministry’s decision to revoke funding for Dragojević’s film “Škartovi,” a move that has been contested for nearly five years. Dragojević’s production company, Delirium doo, initiated legal proceedings against the Ministry of Culture due to the unexplained cancellation of a funding process that had been recommended by the Film Center Serbia’s (FCS) commission.
The legal dispute centers around a 2021 funding competition introduced by the FCS to support films by eminent Serbian directors. This competition was notable for its stringent criteria, requiring directors to have at least one film featured in major international festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, or Toronto. Dragojević, along with directors Goran Marković and Želimir Žilnik, met these criteria and submitted projects for consideration. The FCS commission recommended funding for Dragojević’s “Škartovi,” among others, allocating 30 million dinars to his project. However, the FCS board later rejected these recommendations without providing a clear rationale, a decision that marked a first in the history of the FCS.
The board’s decision was met with public outcry and accusations of censorship, particularly given that some of the proposed films, including Dragojević’s, were perceived as politically sensitive. The board eventually cited the repeated rejection of two of the three selected films by other FCS committees as a reason for their decision, claiming the special competition failed to yield the intended results. This explanation was widely criticized as unconvincing, with some alleging that the board’s actions were politically motivated.
In response to the board’s decision, Dragojević and Marković, through Delirium doo, filed a lawsuit against the FCS in the Administrative Court, arguing that the board’s actions violated principles of legal certainty and competence in making decisions on professional matters. Despite a court ruling in March 2025 ordering the Ministry of Culture to clarify its position, the ministry’s subsequent decision to annul the board’s decision has not resolved the dispute.
Dragojević’s film “Škartovi” is part of a trilogy that includes his acclaimed works “Lepa sela lepo gore” and “Rane,” both of which have significantly influenced Serbian cinema. The protracted legal battle over “Škartovi” highlights broader issues within the Serbian film industry, particularly concerning transparency and the politicization of film funding. The FCS has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and the perceived influence of political considerations on its funding decisions.
The ongoing legal proceedings and Dragojević’s threat to take the case to Strasbourg underscore the potential implications for artistic freedom and the future of film funding in Serbia. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how film projects are evaluated and funded in the country, potentially affecting the careers of other filmmakers and the types of films that receive support. As the legal battle continues, the Serbian film community and supporters of artistic expression are closely monitoring developments, aware of the significant impact the case may have on the cultural landscape.
