“Attending the CineBalk project in Elbasan, Albania, was a fantastic experience for me. Like my friend, I was particularly impressed with the culinary offerings, especially a traditional Albanian lamb dish which was a definite highlight. The project was a great opportunity to connect with other students, and through our exchanges of ideas, I learned a great deal about the Erasmus+ programs. This was incredibly valuable, as it sparked my interest in participating in similar educational events in the future. The student-made films were deeply moving and provoked a wide range of emotions, leading to insightful discussions and the exciting process of voting for our favorite.
Beyond the core program, our trips to Tirana and Podgorica were also memorable. I personally enjoyed Tirana more, as it seemed to offer a livelier atmosphere for going out. It was intriguing to discover shisha bars there, something I didn’t expect to find in Albania, and it was a very interesting experience. The hospitality of our hosts was wonderful throughout the entire stay, making us feel welcome at every moment. From the engaging film discussions to the amazing food and cultural discoveries, the entire project was a remarkable journey.” – Adnan Mušinović
“My participation in the CineBalk project, from September 19th to 21st, 2025, was a truly spontaneous and transformative experience. It all started with the Sarajevo Film Festival, which ignited a passion within me to understand the filmmaking process and its power to influence the world. Although the project was short, it was incredibly well-organized, and the time was used to the fullest. We connected with young people from across the Balkans, including Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia and Albania, forming new friendships. The accommodation was excellent, the food was wonderful, and the entire program ran smoothly. We had the chance to see inspiring films created by young people from all the participating countries and learned a great deal about the art of filmmaking.
What made CineBalk exceptional was the organizer’s dedication to maximizing our experience. In addition to the main program in Elbasan, we had the opportunity to visit Tirana, a city an hour away, and Podgorica on our return trip. This allowed us to explore more of the region’s culture. The project provided a fantastic platform to meet new people and learn a great deal in a short amount of time. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an interest in film.” – Tarik Imamović