The New Theatre Market (NTM)
The New Theatre Market (NTM) project aims to create a platform for co-production, talent development, and promotion of sustainable practices in the theater industry across Southeast Europe. The project will take place over two years, primarily based in Sarajevo, with additional activities in other partner countries. It aims to position Southeast European theater on the international stage while promoting innovation, sustainability, and diversity in the industry.
Expected results:
- Increased co-productions and international collaborations
- Enhanced skills and visibility for Southeast European theater professionals
- Improved sustainability practices in theater production
- Strengthened networks between artists, institutions, and decision-makers
- New business models and funding opportunities for the theater sector
Sarajevo Theatre Showcase
The Sarajevo Theatre Showcase is an annual industry event held during the second week of September, providing a vital platform for theater professionals from Southeast Europe.
Its core programs—including a curated selection of performances, presentations, and the Green Lab initiative—connect regional talent with international decision-makers while promoting sustainable practices in theater production. The event blends professional development opportunities, such as residencies and workshops, with targeted support for women, young professionals, and underrepresented theater makers.
By fostering international collaboration and empowering the regional theater sector, the Showcase serves as both a networking hub and a catalyst for innovative, environmentally responsible theater-making.
Partners
Founded in 1992 during the siege of Sarajevo, SARTR emerged as an act of cultural resistance, bringing together actors and theatre professionals from the city’s three main theatres. Over four years, it staged more than 200 performances, proving that art could defy war. Beyond preserving this legacy, SARTR remains committed to diversity, anti-fascism, activism, and solidarity. A theatre of defiance—not violence—it fosters critical reflection, dialogue, and artistic freedom. Declared a public cultural institution of special significance in 1993, SARTR has produced over 200 performances, gaining recognition at festivals worldwide. In 2003, SARTR received Sarajevo’s highest honor, the April 6th Award. Today, it continues its legacy in the former CDA space, uniting generations of theatre artists in fearless storytelling.
Heartefact is a non-governmental organization from Belgrade, Serbia, that has extensive experience in implementation of cultural and artistic programmes and projects that focus strongly on important societal issues on national and international level. We are a multidisciplinary organization that convenes and maintains forums where cultural and social reality are critically examined, the past is remembered and learned from, individuality is encouraged and talent is celebrated, creative and progressive individuals are encouraged to try and are allowed to fail – so that the cultural and public space for everyone should be diverse, enriched, livelier and more open to diversity.
The Ulysses Theatre was founded in 2001 by actor Rade Šerbedžija and writer Borislav Vujčić on the Brijuni Islands, with a vision of creating a space for artistic freedom and dialogue. Its repertoire includes classical and contemporary dramatic texts, often infused with political and existential themes. It is particularly known for its performances of King Lear, in which Šerbedžija continues to play the lead role, as well as for collaborations with international artists. Ulysses embraces site-specific theatre, using the unique natural setting of Brijuni as an integral part of its stage aesthetics. In addition to drama performances, it organizes concerts, workshops, and panel discussions, making it a significant cultural hub in the region. The Ulysses Theatre is recognized as an artistic platform that bridges different theatrical traditions and fosters critical engagement with social issues.
Binario Vivo is a social promotion and cultural association based in Pisa, founded in 2018 by artists and educators to develop artistic and educational initiatives. Since 2019, it has managed the Teatro Nuovo, transforming it into a dynamic hub for theatre production, training, and community engagement, with a strong focus on social inclusion.
The association organizes theatre seasons featuring contemporary theatre, world music, and performances for children. It also hosts workshops and seasonal festivals, including the 110 Hertz Festival, a three-day summer event on radio and communication. It collaborates on international projects, such as an initiative on migration along the Balkan route with SARTR (War Theatre) in Sarajevo. Through its artistic and operational teams, Binario Vivo actively contributes to the cultural and social life of the city.
Para Film & Teater brings together diverse backgrounds in theatre and film to create performances and films while facilitating dialogue. With years of experience as directors and producers, we also function as a research institute for socio-political art, collaborating with national and international partners. Our Theater-Dialog format has toured nationally, addressing taboo topics in Norwegian culture by blending classical theatre with expert-led seminars. Para’s productions merge performance with storytelling while engaging audiences through direct dialogue and insights from specialists in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and related fields.
Founded in 2015, Realstage is a production company dedicated to artistic creation across film, theatre, and contemporary arts, tackling taboo subjects and human rights issues. It has realized over 70 projects, collaborating with leading contemporary artists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its films have screened at Clermont-Ferrand, Sarajevo, and Cottbus Film Festivals, with Sky Above Zenica (HBO Europe) premiering at CPH:DOX 2024 and winning the Environmental Award at SFF. Recent co-productions like GYM and upcoming projects in film, theatre, and contemporary arts with partners in Spain, Mexico, and the Balkans reflect its growing international reach.
Impressum
Co-Funded by the Creative Europe Culture Programme of the European Union.