Zagreb, Croatia – The NEM Zagreb 2024 television industry event has announced a gathering of top-tier industry experts to comprise the jury for the NEM Awards’ second edition. This select group includes a variety of respected professionals from across the globe, ranging from chief content officers and acquisition managers to executive producers and distinguished screenwriters. Their expertise will be crucial in evaluating hefty competition across diverse categories.
With an open invitation extended until October, the competition provides a unique platform for creatives in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region to showcase their projects without entry fees — a move aimed at encouraging wider participation and uncovering new talents.
Dotted with influential figures, the jury panel boasts names like Aleš Pavlin, managing partner at PERFO d.o.o., and Anna Rohde, a content editor at Beta Film. Also on board are Anke Stoll, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-productions at Keshet International, and Catherine Gaucher from France TV in charge of International Fictions Coproductions & Acquisitions. They stand alongside global talents such as Phil Nodding, an award-winning British screenwriter known for his work on the acclaimed television series ‘Shameless.’
Nodding expressed his eagerness about his involvement, noting, “I’m honoured and delighted to be able to help judge the 2024 NEM Awards. The focus on fostering creative connections across Europe resonates with my personal and professional experiences in collaborative projects.”
To ensure objectivity in evaluation, the majority of the jury members hail from major production countries outside the CEE region. Their international perspectives are anticipated to enrich the judging process, keeping it transparent and fair.
Winners will be honored during an awards ceremony scheduled to be held at the majestic Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb from December 10-12, 2024. The event promises to gather luminaries from the television industry, further highlighting NEM Zagreb as a pivotal venue for networking and recognition within the industry.
Accolades at the NEM Awards will be distributed across three main categories. These include the ‘Best Pre-development Project Award’ for promising screenplays across various genres, the ‘Council of Europe Series Co-production Development Award’ aimed at encouraging international co-productions with a handsome prize of €50,000, and the ‘Best Finished TV Series in the CEE Award’ which recognizes excellence in television series production from the region.
Previous finalists in the finished TV series category have represented the breadth and diversity of CEE television production, with entries such as “Moth Hunting” from TVP Poland and “The King” by RTL Hungary showcasing the creative vibrancy of the region.
In spotlighting both emerging and established talents, NEM Zagreb 2024 not only celebrates current achievements but also stimulates future collaborative endeavors across the European television landscape. This convergence of creativity and recognition is setting the stage for what promises to be an enriching and diversely attended annual industry highlight.