Over the past 19 years, Angela Nestorovska’s professional role at Sektor Film has evolved significantly. Now, the Macedonian producer has been selected to participate in European Film Promotion’s Producers on the Move programme at Cannes, to which she has the opportunity to bring several projects. She spoke to Cineuropa about the value of co-producing, the challenges she faces in a small country and how she chooses her projects.

Cineuropa: You are returning to Cannes for Producers on the Move after being in Un Certain Regard with Stefan Komandarev's Directions [+lee también:
crítica
tráiler
entrevista: Stephan Komandarev
ficha de la película] in 2017. How important is this opportunity?
Angela Nestorovska: Returning to Cannes for Producers on the Move holds great significance for me, especially following the experience of participating in Un Certain Regard with Directions. It represents a journey marked by artistic endeavour and professional growth. Being selected among the group of 20 promising European producers of the year definitely amplifies this significance. It is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with esteemed colleagues from across Europe, whom we typically meet at festivals. We can fortify existing partnerships and make new connections. This gathering provides a great chance to catch up on everyone's latest work, share updates on our own projects and enjoy each other's company.

Coming from a smaller country like North Macedonia, the significance of expanding and nurturing our professional network cannot be overstated, and events like Cannes [make us] feel like we're at warp speed! Thankfully, the friendly atmosphere and networking opportunities over cocktails make it all the more enjoyable and bearable.

You have several titles in development and post-production. Can you tell us which projects you are bringing to Cannes?
We're bringing a diverse slate of projects to Cannes. In post-production, we have Dj Ahmet, a drama by Macedonian director Georgi Unkovski, which is a co-production between North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Serbia. Additionally, we're proud to present The Boy with Light Blue Eyes, a coming-of-age, queer Greek tragedy directed by Thanasis Neofotistos [see the interview], a co-production between Greece, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Croatia and Serbia, which is in the final stages of editing. Both films mark the debut features of exceptionally talented directors who have previously garnered acclaim and awards for their short films. Also, we are actively engaged in the pre-production of Tenant, a drama-thriller set to be directed by Marko Gjokovikj, and A Bear for a Comrade Kim, a dark comedy that will be directed by Angel Apostolski.

How much value do you place on the possibility of co-producing?
Despite encountering constraints in project financing, such as limited funding, our main asset lies in infusing creativity and originality into the project. Living in a country undergoing a very long period of transition has influenced us and made us perceive ourselves as conduits of societal cohesion, lobbying for inclusivity through our storytelling. Coming from a country situated in the heart of the Balkans, a region known for its cultural diversity and historical depth, our narratives transcend mere national boundaries, embodying universal themes. The involvement of recognisable auteurs and experienced film crew members, coupled with shooting on location amidst beautiful landscapes, elevates the quality, creativity and impact of filmmaking projects.

How do you choose the projects that you participate in?
Since 2005, when I became a part of Sektor Film, my professional growth has been shaped by the invaluable mentorship of Vladimir Anastasov, a distinguished Macedonian producer and the company's owner. Over the past 19 years, my professional role at Sektor Film has evolved, culminating in being a producer for the past 12 years. This enduring partnership has been instrumental in shaping my approach to project selection.

In this era when there are so many projects around, it necessitates careful consideration when choosing a project. We seek fascinating and compelling narratives, strong and convincing characters, and unique storytelling elements that have the potential to resonate with audiences and capture the collective imagination. At its core, the selection process is guided by intuition, a keen sense honed through years of experience. Or, in other words, you can literally sense that you’ll have good communication with the collaborators, and see that the talents are literally living and breathing the story they want to present. It's fulfilling to be part of a project that aims to positively impact the society we live in and contribute to making it a better place, no matter how modest this impact may seem.

What are the main challenges you face when producing in your country?
In North Macedonia's cinematic landscape, the role of a national film agency is paramount for sustaining a vibrant film production sector within a smaller market. However, film production processes are time-consuming and resource-intensive. Projects require considerable funding and often rely on partnerships with international collaborators. Co-productions play a vital role in our ability to finance projects, given the limitations of local funding alone. Although it comes with its own set of challenges, we like co-producing and appreciate the benefits that arise from it.

Beyond financial considerations, the allure of co-productions lies in working with people from different countries and of different mentalities, which contributes to cultural exchange and creative collaboration. So far, we’ve successfully cooperated with 15 countries. As a result of these collaborations, where every project is unique, our collective understanding of storytelling and human experience is broadened. It's truly wonderful to showcase auteurs and share their stories with the audience – this whole process is charming, educational and entertaining.