The Heart of Europe International TV Festival & Forum 2025 kicked off at Vienna House Mokotów with a strong focus on future-facing content strategies and cross-border collaboration.

The festival opened with the panel: “Chasing Audiences: Public Broadcasters in the Age of Digital Shift.” The session featured Adam Balažovič (Czech TV) and Victoria Murovana (Suspilne Ukraine). The discussion tackled how broadcasters are adapting to shifting viewer habits, with emphasis on interactive formats, digital-first content, and audience retention strategies in a fragmented media environment.

Day two delivered a full slate of pitching sessions: Documentary pitching with projects that reflected regional urgency, social themes, and bold narrative approaches, attracting strong broadcaster and producer interest.

The Fiction Film pitching showcased fiction concepts ranged from intimate character dramas to genre-led stories with co-production potential. Public broadcasters were present in force, signaling appetite for fresh talent and adaptable formats.

The afternoon was dedicated to “Co-Producing in Europe: Insights from Creative Europe MEDIA”, moderated by Anna Huth, with Daria Maślona (Silver Frame) and Mariusz Włodarski (Lava Films) sharing practical advice on navigating European partnerships and development financing. The day closed with a Showcase session highlighting the development journey from breakout hit to Season 2, featuring creators Egor Efimov, Andrei Kashperski, and Mikhail Zui, focusing on story continuity, audience retention, and scaling up production.