He hosted Aleksandar Vučić this Wednesday (June 17) Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta Jones, and wrote on Instagram that he is especially happy that Serbia and Belgrade are becoming more recognizable in the world of film.
Radio and Television of Serbia stated that the visit of the famous actress is not only of a courtesy nature, but that it fits into the long-term strategy of positioning Serbia as an attractive destination for international film and television productions.
RTS points out that Government of Serbia has been offering significant financial incentives for years, including a 25 percent refund on qualified production costs in the country, while for projects whose budget exceeds five million euros, this incentive rises to 30 percent.
The public service adds that the program, which has been in force for ten years, has proven to be very successful, attracting numerous foreign film crews.
Is that right?
According to data from the website of the Serbian Film Association, from 2016 to 2022, 30 foreign films and TV series shot in Serbia were shown. Among them were American, British, Indian, French, German and other international projects.
Photo: Tanjug/ Presidency of SerbiaAleksandar Vucic and Catherine Zeta Jones
In that period, Belgrade was really the address for foreign productions that needed a European city for filming, a relatively more favorable production and a system of state incentives. Ben Kingsley, Daniel Craig, Idris Elba, John Cena and other famous movie stars filmed in Serbia in the previous decade.
However, the data about the earlier period does not mean that the same is happening today. According to the available information, the wave of foreign productions in Serbia in the last two years has significantly decreased.
"Vreme" wrote back in July 2024 that the filming of foreign films in Serbia is on hiatus. According to the information at the time, about 40 foreign projects were filmed in Serbia, but only three were films. Most related to series, commercials or other forms of audio-visual production.
Forbes Serbia wrote similarly in March 2025. Interlocutors from the film industry said at the time that projects were being postponed or canceled, that foreign producers were more cautious and that certain productions were being moved to other countries.
The most recent example of a major international production in Serbia is not a film, but the series "Robin Hood", produced by Lionsgate Television and MGM+, which was filmed in early 2025. The locations were Gornji Milanovac, the village of Varnice and PFI Studios in Šimanovci.
What is the situation in the region and other European countries
Serbia is not the only country that offers financial incentives to foreign productions. Croatia, for example, has a 25 percent rebate on qualified spending, with an additional five percent for filming in less developed regions. Poland offers a 30 percent rebate, while Slovakia has a 33 percent incentive.
Serbia's biggest competitor is Hungary, one of the most important European locations for foreign productions. The Hungarian system envisages a 30 percent incentive, which in certain cases can be effectively extended up to 37,5 percent.
That's why producers don't choose a country just by locations. It is crucial how much money can be returned, how quickly the permits are obtained, whether there are experienced crews, studios and equipment, but also whether the production can be completed without interruption.
Serbia has advantages in that race - lower costs, diverse locations, experienced teams and financial incentives, but even that is no longer rare. Similar or greater facilities are offered by neighboring countries, so foreign productions are easily moved to where it is faster, safer and more financially favorable at that moment.
For a serious story about the "film boom" of international productions filmed in Serbia, it is not enough for a Hollywood star to appear in Belgrade and be hosted by the president of the country, but for foreign projects to actually be filmed.
