The most exciting conference that connects the film and gaming industries is back with an even richer program! Over two days, at Algebra University Bernays, on October 2nd and 3rd, participants will have the opportunity to engage in numerous panels, keynote lectures, and workshops with leading domestic and global experts.
Participants will have the chance to hear about the latest trends, creative processes, and the future of the industry at the intersection of film, games, and new technologies. Admission to the conference is free with registration until October 1st, 2025, at www.blendzagreb.eu.
The conference starts on October 2nd, 2025, at 9:00 AM with opening remarks from the conference organizers, the head of the Games Croatia project at HAVC, Benjamin N. Maričak, and the head of the Zagreb Film Office, Mia Pećina Drašković. They will be joined by Dr. sc. Damir Jugo, president of the Management Board of Algebra University Bernays, the academic partner of the conference, H.E. Mr. William De Baets, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, this year's Partner Country of the conference. Finally, Mr. Christopher P. Marcich, director of HAVC, will address everyone, while the conference will be opened by the state secretary of MKIM, Mr. Krešimir Partl. Below, we present the complete conference program with schedules and brief descriptions of the lectures.
First Day – October 2nd
Panel: Why does the law not recognize the producer as an author? / 9:15 – 10:15 AM
A discussion on the legal status of producers and their role as creative co-authors of audiovisual works.
Panelists: Danilo Šerbedžija (director, president of DHFR), Hrvoje Osvadić (producer, president of HRUP), Miljenka Čogelja (producer), and Chris Marcich (director of HAVC). The panel is moderated by Mia Pećina Drašković (producer, head of the Zagreb Film Office).
Panel: Challenges of co-productions between Croatia and Belgium / 10:30 – 11:15 AM
Experiences, obstacles, and potential for collaboration between the two countries in the development and realization of films and video games
Panelists: Xavier Rombaut (producer, Belgium), H.E. Mr. William de Baets (Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium), Christopher P. Marcich (director of HAVC), Youri Loedts (VAF fund, Belgium), Prof. Dries Deryckere (Howest University, Belgium). The panel is moderated by Miljenka Čogelja, producer.
Panel: Advantages and disadvantages of filming locations in Zagreb and Croatia / 11:30 – 12:15 PM
Practical advantages and challenges of filming in Zagreb and at locations throughout Croatia.
Panelists: John Rakich (president of the LMGI association, Canada; Shadowhunters, See, Twisted Metal), Enrico Latella (supervising location manager, Italy; Mission Impossible 7, Tenet) and Sabine Schulmeyer (location manager, Germany; The Matrix Resurrections, Constellation). The panel is moderated by Mia Pećina Drašković (Zagreb Film Office).
Panel: Creating Transmedia Worlds Using Toys, Movies, and Video Games / 12:30 – 13:15h
A panel on how film and video games connect in transmedia worlds that transcend the boundaries of individual media and open up new creative and business opportunities.
Panelists: Albert Gajšak, innovator and founder of CircuitMess; Damir Šlogar, game developer, collector, and entrepreneur; Ivan Kosovec, founder of Magic Omens. Moderator: Igor Margan, Head of Game Development Studio, Algebra University Bernays
Panel: Croatian Candidate for Goya and Oscar Awards: Fiume e Morte / 14:30 – 15:15h
The panel will present the Croatian film ‘Fiume o Morte’ and its nominations for two prestigious film awards: the Spanish Goya Award and the American Oscar.
Panelists: Vanja Jambrović (producer), Tibor Kesser (producer) and Slobodanka Mišković (Art Cinema Rijeka/Film Office of the City of Rijeka). The panel is moderated by Filip Zadro, director.
Keynote: Crossing Worlds: Film and Video Games / 15:30 – 16:15h
How film language and interactive media enrich the audience experience and what awaits us in the near future
Speaker: Thierry Van Gyseghem (Belgium), lead animator on the video games Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2.
Keynote: ‘Fireside chat’ about the film Flow / 16:30 – 17:30h
The creative and technical processes that created the latest hit in animation, the Oscar-winning film Flow!
Speaker: Martins Upitis (Latvia), co-founder of Physical Addons studio and key animator of the film. The panel is moderated by Lucija Pilić, journalist and producer. After the discussion, there will be a screening of the film, from 18:00 to 20:00.
Second Day – October 3
Presentation: From Script to Final Video All with AI / 9:00 – 9:45h
The use of artificial intelligence and all its advantages in the video creation process, from the initial script to the final product.
Speaker: doc.art. Predrag Šuka (Algebra University Bernays)
Panel: AI in Creative Industries / 10:00 – 11:00h
The potential of artificial intelligence in transforming film and gaming production.
Panelists: Damir Firšt (technology strategist and consultant for AI and gamification), Vlaho Hrdalo (lawyer / Partner at Hrdalo & Krnic law firm), Anđelo Jurkas (director) and Ivan Murat (director of Nanobit). The panel is moderated by doc.art. Predrag Šuka (Algebra University Bernays).
Keynote: The Future of Video Games and Film Beyond Content / 11:15 – 12:00h
What tomorrow will look like in the film and video game industry!
Speaker: Jorg Tittel (director, screenwriter, producer, and designer, UK; author of the video game The Last Worker).
Keynote: Fernando Machado / 12:15 – 13:15h
How creativity and creative campaigns shape global brands and video games.
Speaker: Fernando Machado (Marketing guru! Former CMO of Burger King and Activision Blizzard, two-time winner of the Adweek Grand Brand Genius award). The panel is moderated by Lovro Belošević, public relations (Algebra University Bernays).
Panel: How Virtual Production Transforms Independent Filmmaking / 14:15 – 15:15h
New methods and tools that open up great possibilities for independent creators.
Panelist: Hrvoje Kordić (Producer, Digital kinetics), Xavier Rombaut (Producer – Polar Bear, Belgium), Basia Karpinski (virtual production specialist, Poland), Matko Burić (Producer, Antitalent) and Josip Čajić (stYpe). The panel is moderated by Benjamin Noah Maričak (Games Croatia).
Panel: How to Achieve Global Success in Animation Without a Hollywood Budget / 15:30 – 16:15h
Innovative approaches and strategies in animation for independent feature film productions.
Panelists: Martins Upitis, animator of the Oscar-winning film Flow (LV); Dino Krpan, producer, Diedra production; Draško Ivezić, animator, Adriatic Animation; Irena Jukić Pranjić, animator and illustrator
Moderator: Janja Pilić, producer
Panel: Transmedia Discussion on Video Games Based on Series and Films:
Moomins and Paws of Fury / 16:30 – 17:30h
How films and series are transformed into successful video games and vice versa.
Panelist: Hrvoje Mitić (producer of the game based on the Paws of Fury animated film), Pontus Rundqvist (senior brand manager, Raw Fury, Sweden) and Dimitrije Đokić (Raw Fury). The panel is moderated by Dunja Trojan (Broadcast.hr & GameHub TV).
Hall 2
Presentation: How to Enhance Your Skills, Network, and Work Globally in Film and TV with Stage 32
Speaker: Ewan Dunbar, International Producer, Stage 32 Brand Ambassador
Moderator: Petar Vučetić, Head of Multimedia Department, Vern University
Panel: And They Aren't Even 30 Yet! / 10:00 – 11:00h
Presentation of talented and promising individuals who are at the beginning of their careers in the AV industry.
Direction: Karlo Vorih, ADU + Vida Žagar, Vern; DOP: Filip Šarić, Vern; Production: Karlo Gagulić, Vern + Laura Pribanić, ADU; Game developer: Tea Stepanić + Dominik Cvetkovski + Patrik Burnić, Algebra Bernays. Moderator: Benjamin Noah Maričak, Games Croatia /HAVC
Panel: Junior / Senior / Veteran – Three Perspectives on Music for Video Games / 14:15 – 15:15h
Three generations of composers share their experiences in creating music for games.
Panelists: Nikola Nikita Jeremić (SRB – composer for Aliens: Dark Descent, Warhammer 40k, Destiny 2, Cyberpunk 2077), Matija Malatestinić (composer and lecturer at ADU); panelist and moderator Damjan Mravunac (composer and sound designer at Croteam; Serious Sam, Talos Principle).
Panel: What Happened in Production After the Introduction of Sustainability Incentives in Austria? / 15:30 – 16:15h
The impact of sustainability incentives in Austria on film production and green practices has changed a lot!
Speaker: Florisse Anu Kaaripuro (director HQ7 Studios, Austria)
The panel is moderated by Morana Ikić Komljenović (producer and sustainability expert).
Workshops
- Directing and Shooting Narrative Driven Animation – Thierry Van Gyseghem (October 2 and 3)
- How to Effectively Integrate Greening and Sustainability into the Preparation and Pre-Production of Film Projects – Morana Ikić Komljenović, producer, sustainability expert (October 2)
- Project Architecture in Unity – Andrija Zorić, game developer, Unity expert (October 3)
- From 2D Image to 3D World – Ivan Šivak, Algebra Bernays University, multimedia artist (October 3)
- Be afraid. Be very afraid. But do it. - Fernandom Machado, marketing wizard! (October 3)
Additional Content
- Screenings of student films in hall 5 on both days of the conference (VERN University and Academy of Dramatic Arts)
- Exhibition space for Croatian gaming studios in the lobby of the University (Bura, Balthazar, Dark Queen, and Inkubator Pismo), along with Red Bull Tetris
- Voice Your Opinion – Animation Voice Acting, open activation for visitors (October 3rd)
The program advisors for the Blend: Film & Games conference for film are: Danilo Šerbedžija, director and president of DHFA; Morana Ikić Komljenović, producer, film and media expert; Hrvoje Osvadić, producer and president of HRUP; while for the video game sector Tea Stepanić, producer and video game designer; Hrvoje Mitić, Biz Dev at GamesCo London and secretary at the Cluster of Croatian Video Game Producers (CGDA); and Juraj Hrvoje Krašković, producer at the video game publisher Raw Fury and artistic advisor at the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC).
The Blend conference is organized by Zagreb Film Office and Games Croatia (HAVC) along with academic partner Algebra Bernays University, with support from the City Office for Culture and Civil Society and with the backing of film and gaming associations.
Thanks to all partners, organizations, institutions, sponsors, and media for their support of the project.
Entry to the conference is free with registration open until October 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM via this link. All news about the conference can be followed on the official conference website www.blendzagreb.eu and on the social media of the Zagreb Film Office, Games Croatia, and Algebra Bernays University.
