AGP Executive Report

Montenegro Film Festival: The Herceg Novi Film Festival (39th edition) has unveiled its programme for 22–28 August, with Bogdan Diklić opening and Marijana Janković’s “Home” screening out of competition; the festival closes with “To Hold a Mountain,” while ten films compete for the Golden Mimosa. EU & Enlargement: EU leaders are debating faster accession, with fears of a “Trojan horse” slowing momentum; Montenegro is still expected to join next year. Serbia–Montenegro Tensions: Prime Minister Milojko Spajić hit back at Aleksandar Vučić over “double standards” and foreign-policy alignment, deepening a fresh diplomatic spat. Court & Media Freedom: Montenegro’s Bijelo Polje Misdemeanour Court fined Ski Resort Kolašin and its director over insulting comments targeting Vijesti journalist Dragana Šćepanović. Arts & Culture (Region): Sarajevo hosts “Bridge of Friendship” on 15 August, featuring US and Balkan performers and a Balkan Philharmonic premiere. Pop Culture: Ana de Armas’ Spain getaway with Venezuelan musician Beto Montenegro keeps the romance buzz going. Sports (Local interest): Rangers host Jagiellonia at Ibrox in Europa League qualifying, with TV listings circulating for fans.

Herceg Novi Film Festival: The 39th edition of the Herceg Novi Film Festival (22–28 August, “All the Colours of Film”) has unveiled its programme, with Bogdan Diklić opening and Marijana Janković’s Home kicking off the out-of-competition screenings at Kanli Kula; the festival closes with To Hold a Mountain, a Sundance-winning international documentary. Montenegro–EU politics: A new dispute between Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić deepens the Serbia–Montenegro rift as Montenegro pushes toward EU membership. Press freedom: Montenegro’s court system fined Ski Resort Kolašin and Aktuelno portal’s executive director €6,000 and €800 over failure to remove insulting comments targeting Vijesti journalist Dragana Šćepanović. Biodiversity & conservation: Citizen expeditions in Montenegro’s Durmitor region helped document two new snail species, strengthening calls to protect Komarnica Canyon from hydropower plans. Community & culture: Reporting highlights rising hostility toward Israel and the security pressures facing Montenegro’s small Jewish community, including 24-hour protection needs. Tourism spotlight: Portonovi marks seven years since opening, reflecting Montenegro’s shift toward high-end luxury tourism and the challenges that come with it.

Herceg Novi Film Festival: The 39th edition of the Herceg Novi Film Festival (22–28 August) has unveiled its programme under “All the Colours of Film,” with Bogdan Diklić opening the event and Marijana Janković’s “Home” screening out of competition; the festival closes with “To Hold a Mountain,” a Sundance-winning documentary. Montenegro–EU politics: EU enlargement talks are facing fresh scepticism as some member states fear a “Trojan horse” effect from faster accession, with Montenegro flagged as a likely next-year joiner. Serbia–Montenegro tensions: Montenegro’s PM Milojko Spajić escalated the dispute with Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić, accusing him of “Russia’s PR” and double standards. Press freedom: Montenegro’s court in Bijelo Polje fined Ski Resort Kolašin and its director over insulting comments targeting Vijesti journalist Dragana Šćepanović. Culture & identity: A new report highlights Montenegro’s Jewish community navigating rising hostility toward Israel, including calls for 24-hour security. Nature in Durmitor: Citizen expeditions helped scientists describe two new snail species from Komarnica Canyon, strengthening arguments to protect the area.

Herceg Novi Film Festival: The 39th edition (22–28 August, “All the Colours of Film”) has unveiled its programme, with FIAPF accreditation, Bogdan Diklić opening the festival, and documentary winner “To Hold a Mountain” closing it; ten films compete for the Golden Mimosa. Montenegro–Serbia tensions: Prime Minister Milojko Spajić escalated the spat with Aleksandar Vučić, accusing him of acting as “Russia’s PR” and pushing double standards as relations strain over Montenegro’s EU path. Press freedom case: Montenegro’s court in Bijelo Polje fined Ski Resort Kolašin and its director over insulting comments targeting Vijesti journalist Dragana Šćepanović. Jewish community under pressure: Podgorica’s Jewish leaders say antisemitism has worsened since Oct. 7, with security and monitoring ramped up. Nature & culture: Scientists and citizen volunteers reported two new snail species from Montenegro’s Durmitor/Komarnica area, while Portonovi’s 7-year anniversary spotlights how luxury tourism is reshaping local life. EU enlargement talk: Politico reports Iceland and Montenegro could join the EU together in 2028 if Iceland restarts accession talks.

Media & Law: Montenegro’s Bijelo Polje Misdemeanour Court fined Ski Resort Kolašin €6,000 (and its director €800) over insulting comments targeting Vijesti journalist Dragana Šćepanović, after the portal failed to remove abusive posts. Culture & Faith: A new scholarly collection revisits the Konstantin Rudnev case, arguing how untested stories shaped a miscarriage of justice, with a focus on how legal systems handle unconventional beliefs. Arts, Film & New Voices: Locarno Pro’s Match Me! and co-development push fresh European projects, spotlighting younger creators and timely themes as new production networks form. Montenegro Tourism: Portonovi marks seven years as luxury tourism grows fast—raising questions about community ties, service standards, and the country’s mix of EU ambitions and non-EU investment. EU/Region Context: EU officials urged stronger leverage over Morocco after the Ceuta surge, while Serbia’s possible Schengen move could end visa-free entry for Russians—both shaping the wider regional backdrop for travel and media.

Montenegro’s biodiversity spotlight: Scientists and citizen volunteers have discovered two new snail species in northwestern Montenegro, Cochlostoma komarnica and Cochlostoma dobrido, with calls to protect Komarnica Canyon in Durmitor rather than build a hydropower plant. Jewish community under pressure: A new report looks at Montenegro’s small Jewish community in Podgorica and beyond, describing rising hostility toward Israel and the need for heightened security since Oct. 7. Tourism and culture in focus: Portonovi marks seven years since its launch, raising big questions about how luxury development can fit Montenegro’s communities and infrastructure needs. Arts and film industry: Locarno Pro’s Match Me! co-production market spotlights new voices and younger audiences shaping European arthouse projects. Sports note: David Mirković is reported to have undergone left-foot surgery, with a return timeline of 6–8 weeks. EU membership chatter: Politico reports Iceland and Montenegro could join the EU together in 2028 if Iceland resumes talks.

Montenegro’s Jewish community: In Podgorica, Rabbi Ari Edelkopf says antisemitism has risen since Oct. 7, with Free Gaza marches and 24-hour security now part of daily life. Biodiversity & environment: Scientists and citizen volunteers in Durmitor’s Komarnica Canyon discovered two new snail species, Cochlostoma komarnica and Cochlostoma dobrido, strengthening calls to protect the area from hydropower plans. Tourism & culture: Portonovi marks seven years since its luxury relaunch, raising big questions about how Montenegro balances high-end growth with local community ties and infrastructure. Arts & film industry: Locarno Pro’s Match Me! spotlights new European co-production voices, including projects shaped for younger audiences. EU path: Politico reports Iceland and Montenegro could join the EU together in 2028, depending on Iceland’s referendum to restart accession talks. Sports: David Mirkovic is reported to have had left-foot surgery, with a return timeline of 6–8 weeks. Travel & media: Marella Cruises has asked guests not to bring “cruising ducks” onboard, adding to the growing patchwork of cruise rules.

Montenegro Tourism & Culture: Portonovi marks seven years since opening, spotlighting how Montenegro’s shift toward luxury hospitality is reshaping tourism—and raising questions about community ties, service standards, and non-EU investment. Local Arts & Film: Heretic has acquired Serbian director Jelena Maksimović’s debut feature Until the Day Ends, a Serbia–Bulgaria–Slovenia–Germany–Montenegro–Croatia coproduction, headed for the Venice Film Festival’s Horizons competition. Biodiversity & Conservation: Scientists and citizen volunteers report two new snail species from Montenegro’s Durmitor region, strengthening calls to protect Komarnica Canyon rather than build a hydropower plant. Community & Identity: Montenegro’s tiny Jewish community in Podgorica says antisemitism and security needs have intensified amid rising hostility toward Israel. EU Path: Politico reports Iceland and Montenegro could join the EU together in 2028 if Iceland resumes accession talks. Arts in the Region: Locarno’s Match Me! highlights younger voices in arthouse co-productions, with projects from Europe and Latin America. Tech & Connectivity: Ucom expands international roaming and 5G roaming reach, with Montenegro listed among destinations for its uTravel packages.

Jewish Community & Security: In Podgorica and beyond, Montenegro’s small Jewish community says antisemitism and online hostility have risen since Oct. 7, with leaders describing the need for 24-hour security and legal monitoring. Tourism & Luxury Development: Portonovi marks seven years since opening, spotlighting how Montenegro’s shift toward high-end hospitality is reshaping local questions on culture, infrastructure, and non-EU investment. Nature & Conservation: Scientists and citizen volunteers report two new snail species from Montenegro’s Durmitor/Komarnica Canyon area, strengthening calls to protect the site from hydropower plans. Arts & Film: A Serbian debut feature co-produced with Montenegro, “Until the Day Ends,” has been acquired by Heretic ahead of Venice’s Horizons competition. Culture & Community: “Open Art Gallery” in Prishtina is highlighted as a needed regional space for experimentation and cross-border artistic exchange, including artists from Montenegro. Sports & Identity: Montenegro’s football presence continues abroad, with Juventus-linked Kerim Alajbegović choosing the number 17 as he settles in Italy.

Community in Crisis: A Konavle traffic gridlock turned into a real-life solidarity moment, with locals handing out water, making sandwiches, and even placing bins along the road—then municipal workers cleared over eight cubic metres of rubbish. Justice & Finance: New attention is drawn to Ruben Vardanyan amid renewed discussion of alleged financial wrongdoing, including the Digimarket dispute. Anti-Corruption Watch: Panama’s “parallel decentralization” scandal sees the number charged rise to 99 over misuse of public funds routed outside standard controls. Montenegro Culture & Film: A Montenegro-linked co-production, “Until the Day Ends,” has been acquired ahead of Venice Horizons, spotlighting regional youth and protest. Biodiversity: Citizen scientists and researchers report two new snail species discovered in Montenegro’s Durmitor area, strengthening calls to protect Komarnica Canyon. Jewish Community Under Strain: A report from Podgorica’s Jewish community describes rising hostility toward Israel and the need for heightened security since Oct. 7. Tourism & Luxury: Portonovi’s seventh anniversary is framed as a test for Montenegro tourism—how to balance luxury growth with local culture and infrastructure demands. Arts & Media: Locarno’s Match Me! highlights new European and Latin American voices, with younger audiences shaping arthouse projects.

Montenegro Jewish Community: In Podgorica, the Religious Jewish Community says antisemitism has risen since Oct. 7, with 24-hour security and legal monitoring now part of daily life. Conservation & Science: Citizen expeditions in Durmitor National Park and Komarnica Canyon helped document two new land snail species, strengthening calls to protect the area from hydropower plans. Tourism & Luxury: Portonovi’s 7-year milestone spotlights Montenegro’s shift toward high-end hospitality—and the pressure to keep culture and infrastructure up to EU-level expectations. EU Pathway: Politico reports Montenegro and Iceland could join the EU together in 2028, depending on Iceland’s referendum and Montenegro’s negotiation progress. Arts & Film: A Montenegro co-production, “Until the Day Ends,” has been acquired by Heretic for Venice’s Horizons competition. Sports & Culture: Montenegro’s presence in international sport continues, including a note on menstrual leave policy that cites Montenegro’s existing two days.

Biodiversity Discovery: Scientists and citizen volunteers have identified two new snail species in northwestern Montenegro, Cochlostoma komarnica and Cochlostoma dobrido, with the finds strengthening calls to protect Komarnica Canyon in Durmitor rather than expand hydropower plans. Community & Security: Montenegro’s small Jewish community says antisemitism and online hostility have risen since Oct. 7, with leaders describing new security needs and ongoing monitoring. Tourism & Luxury Debate: Portonovi marks seven years as a luxury tourism hub, but the anniversary spotlights big questions about “how much luxury,” local ties, and whether Montenegro can match the service and infrastructure demanded by high-end visitors. EU Pathway: Reporting suggests Iceland and Montenegro could join the EU together in 2028, linking Montenegro’s accession timeline to Iceland’s referendum outcome. Film & Co-productions: A new Serbian-led feature, co-produced with Montenegro, has been acquired for Venice’s Horizons competition. Culture Space: Open Art Gallery in Prishtina is highlighted as a needed regional platform for experimentation and cross-border collaboration. Travel Trend: “Destination dupe” culture is spreading, with debate over whether it helps or simply exports overtourism.

Jewish Community & Security: In Nikšić, a new monument to 1948 “Operation Velvetta” sits beside growing anxiety in Montenegro’s Jewish community, where Rabbi Ari Edelkopf says antisemitism and pro-Gaza marches have pushed the community into 24-hour security and constant online monitoring. Tourism & Luxury: Portonovi’s seventh year spotlights Montenegro’s shift toward €835m-scale luxury, while raising hard questions about culture, local ties, and whether infrastructure and service can match the prices. Film & Co-Productions: Locarno’s Match Me! spotlights a younger wave of arthouse storytelling, with regional projects including Montenegro in the mix and fresh voices moving to the center. EU Path: Politico reports Montenegro could align its EU accession with Iceland in 2028, depending on Iceland’s referendum—an idea Montenegro’s EU minister says it would welcome. Arts Space: Open Art Gallery in Prishtina is profiled as a needed alternative cultural hub for experimentation and cross-discipline exchange across the region. Travel Trend Backlash: “Destination dupe” culture is criticized as insulting and overtourism-exporting—an angle that lands for Montenegro’s own tourism debate.

Politics & Media Scrutiny: Portugal’s tabloid-style holiday headlines claim PM Luís Montenegro “broke his promise” by appearing on the Algarve, while PS Socialists say Interior Minister Luís Neves’ situation has “reached the limit” and urge the PM to restore order. Accountability in Government: Reports add that the Court of Auditors will probe 2023 audit irregularities tied to Neves’ earlier police role, with justice also ordering internal checks. Film & Co-Productions: Locarno’s Match Me! spotlights younger, bolder arthouse voices and new European/Latin American projects, including a Brazilian coming-of-age drama/survival thriller. Montenegro on Screen & Stage: Heretic acquired Serbian director Jelena Maksimović’s debut Until the Day Ends, a Montenegro-involved coproduction heading to Venice 2026. Travel & Culture (Montenegro tie-in): A “destination dupe” index flags Budva as a cheaper alternative to Ibiza, while a “Venice of Montenegro” festival is praised as Tivat leans into its “Monaco of the Balkans” image. Arts & Entertainment (Global): UK regulators cleared the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger after promises, while the US antitrust trial is set for March 2027.

Junior Eurovision: Montenegro’s RTCG has selected 9-year-old Mija Vujović to represent the country at JESC 2026 in Malta, after an internal pick; she studies in Podgorica and is active in choir, art and dance. Film & Co-production: Jelena Maksimović’s debut feature Until the Day Ends (Do kraja dana) has been acquired by Heretic ahead of its Venice Horizons premiere, with a Montenegro-linked coproduction team. Music Tourism: The fourth Dubrovnik Vinyl Fair returns to Lapad Bay on Aug 8, bringing thousands of records and all-vinyl DJ sets, with exhibitors traveling from the region including Podgorica. Local Culture & Tradition: In Perast, Montenegro, the July 22 Fasinada ceremony returns—boats link up and locals throw rocks to protect the manmade island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Arts & Lifestyle Spotlight: A travel feature spotlights Tivat’s “Monaco of the Balkans” push, framing it as a fresh stop for “quiet luxury” travelers. Community Cleanup: After a major Croatia–Montenegro border gridlock, Konavle crews collected 15 cubic metres of rubbish, with firefighters helping restore the roadside.

Film & TV Industry: The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority cleared the $110bn Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy choosing not to intervene after a “deed of covenant” on streaming/linear separation and editorial independence. Media Business: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Q2 profit fell 91% as linear TV and studio revenues slid, though streaming grew with HBO Max expansion. Legal Showdown: A US judge set the Paramount–Skydance vs. WBD antitrust trial for March 2027, with a costly “ticking fee” if the deal drags on. Montenegro in Culture: Jelena Maksimović’s debut feature “Until the Day Ends” was acquired by Heretic for Venice Horizons; it’s a Serbia-led coproduction including Montenegro. Music & Community: The fourth Dubrovnik Vinyl Fair returns Aug 8, with dealers and all-vinyl DJ sets drawing collectors from the region, including Podgorica. Sports (Regional): Rangers begin their Europa League qualifier in Poland vs Jagiellonia Bialystok, while Volta a Portugal’s opening prologue put Julius Johansen in the yellow jersey.