Opatija will once again become one of the most exciting regional centers of contemporary popular culture and creative industries at the end of May. From May 29 to 30, 2026, the third edition of Expo Gamersa and the second edition of the Slowmotion Festival will bring a rich program that combines gaming, film, music, technology, and digital media, confirming Opatija as a destination that successfully merges tourism, culture, and the industries of the future.
At today's press conference, the program was presented by Expo Gamers organizers Marta Glažar and Valentina Mišković Yoe, Ivan Šarar on behalf of the Slowmotion organization, and the director of the Festival Opatija Marin Sušanj.
“As the director of the Festival Opatija, I am extremely proud that we can be part of projects that position Opatija as a contemporary festival and cultural destination open to new generations of audiences and new creative industries. Opatija has always been a city of festivals and culture, and such projects confirm that it has the capacity to be a regional center for contemporary events that follow global trends,” emphasized director of the Festival Opatija Marin Sušanj.
He added that he is particularly pleased that the festival program will once again revive multiple locations in Opatija, from the Gervais Center and Drago Club to the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion and Marino Cvetković Sports Hall, creating a dynamic atmosphere in the city and providing the audience with a unique experience that combines education, networking, and entertainment.
Expo Gamers 2026 - more than a gaming event
The organizers emphasize that Expo Gamers is expanding its focus this year towards the business side of the gaming industry and bringing global leaders in the gaming industry to Kvarner. In the Marino Cvetković Sports Hall, the festival thus combines the conference and exhibition segments, while retaining its recognizable entertainment and gaming content for the loyal gaming community and a broader audience.
“This is not just another conference; Expo Gamers is a platform for meeting creatives, experts, game developers, investors, students, and fans. It is important to talk about the industry of the future as well as collaboration within the region and beyond - therefore, we have dedicated several points in the program to themes of regional development and cooperation,” highlighted the organizers Valentina Mišković Yoe and Marta Glažar.
The program features speakers from some of the most influential global gaming studios and companies today, such as Larian Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Housemarque, Supercell, Kuuasema, CM Games, XDS Spark, IGDA (International Game Developers Association), global branding agency DDA, and from regional giants Mad Head Games, Outfit7 and local Croteam, Fury Studios, and Nanobit, along with numerous other international experts.
Notably, the program features Borislav Slavov from Larian Studios, a BAFTA award-winning composer responsible for the music of one of the biggest gaming hits in recent years: Baldur’s Gate 3. Visitors can also look forward to meeting the voice acting stars of the game: Tim Downie and Andrew Wincott, whose portrayals of the characters Gale and Raphael have garnered millions of fans worldwide.
In the fair section, visitors can expect entertainment through gaming zones with computers and consoles, VR and driving simulators, Indie zone with local and foreign independent game developers, Retro zone with retro consoles and games from (not so distant) past, a corner for Cosplayers and a fan zone for autographs and photos with the stars of the game Baldur’s Gate 3, esports tournaments on computers and consoles, and challenges playing against well-known influencers Galle Sandalle and Pabsa, as well as the opportunity to win valuable and rich prizes.
Tickets are available through the official website www.expogamers.com in several categories: from standard festival tickets (with great discounts for students, high school students, and children) to Business and VIP packages that include access to the business part of the conference and other content.
Expo Gamers is organized by the marketing agency Rivira and Udruga 3. zmaj from Rijeka with the support of the City of Opatija, Opatija 21 d.o.o., the Alpe-Adria Alliance, the Kultura nova Foundation, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Tourist Board, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Tourist Board of the City of Opatija, and other sponsors.
Slowmotion - festival of people
The Slowmotion festival (Opatija, May 28–31, 2026) in its second edition brings 60 hours of programming on four stages, with 70 speakers and nearly 200 participants who together shape a specific format - a festival of people.
Ivan Šarar, the organizer of Slowmotion emphasizes: “We gather artists, producers, and project initiators of popular culture who create and use music, film, and digital media. Through conversations, films, concerts, and workshops, we open a space for meeting with the audience - relaxed, direct, and inspiring. In a time when life and culture are shaped between the online and offline worlds, Slowmotion focuses on the people who actively create those changes - whether through content, community, or active spaces.”
The festival begins on Thursday, May 28, with a welcome program and pub quiz with the Koma Association in front of the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion. The evening program also takes place at the same location on Friday, May 29, with musical performances by Lovro Mirth and Maalog, with free entry.
On Friday and Saturday, in the morning and afternoon slots at the Gervais Center, there will be talks and discussions, featuring among many: Kristian Novak, Ida Prester, Konstrakta, the Music Export Office of Croatia, Azimut Šibenik, book&zvook, Galeb Nikačević, Maja Uzelac, David Skoko, Vuk Ćosić, Jadranka Ivaniš Yaya, Želimir Periš, and many others. We are also organizing workshops: podcasting, animation, video game development, using music applications, learning sign language.
The concert evening on Saturday, May 30, at Drago Club features performances by KOIKOI, Ki Klop, Turbo Trans Turiste, and Lynco.
In the film part of the program, we will watch documentaries: “Devet Krogov” by Majda Širca, “Ej, Salaši” by Maja Uzelac, “Punk under Communist Regime” by Andrej Košak, along with the premiere screening of the inclusive version of the hit film “Svadba” in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.
This year's novelty at Slowmotion is the Fine design market pop up and vinyl fair, with free entry in the atrium of the Gervais Center, from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Slowmotion is co-financed by the City of Opatija, the Ministry of Culture and Media, HAVC, the City of Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, TZ Opatija, and TZ Kvarner.
Tickets are available in the Core event system, with the note that talks and film programs are free for high school students and university students.
Expo Gamers
For everything you want to know about this event, visit the website www.expogamers.com and follow Expo Gamers on social media:
FB: www.facebook.com/expogamers.cro
IG: www.instagram.com/expogamers.cro
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@expo.gamers
Slowmotion Festival
For more information about the festival, visit the official website www.slowmotion.is and social media:
FB: www.facebook.com/p/SlowMotion-Festival
IG: www.instagram.com/s.l.0.w_m.0.t.i.0.n/
