Imagine this: a Balkan series from Serbia, following the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić, not only entered the race with global mega-hits but actually won the top prize at one of the biggest TV festivals in the world – the Shanghai TV Festival! Yes, you read that right. “Sabljа” is the first series from the Balkans to win the Golden Magnolia for Best Foreign Series, beating nearly 1,000 entries from 43 countries. While everyone was glued to “Game of Thrones” and “Pure Chemistry,” our team from RTS and This and That showed that Serbia can stand shoulder to shoulder with the biggest global names.
Lead actor Lazar Tasić, playing the character Uroš Ristić Mali, wowed the audience on the red carpet, sporting creations by our famous artist Dragana Ognjenović. The series has already been shown in over 15 countries and sold to the HBO platform, a massive achievement for a production from a small country like Serbia.
The Shanghai Festival is one of the most influential TV festivals worldwide, with nearly 1,000 submissions from 43 countries this year alone. “Sabljа” also won awards for Best Acting Performance at festivals in Cannes and Brno, further proving the quality of this political thriller.
This series is not just a story about the assassination of a prime minister; it’s a vivid picture of colored revolutions, justice, and solidarity, as producer Snežana Van Hauvenlingen emphasized. Winning the Golden Magnolia is a huge success for Serbia and Balkan series, showing that quality and courage in production pay off.
If you thought Balkan series were just local entertainment, think again! “Sabljа” proves we can compete with global giants and that our story has something to say. So, who’s up for a binge-watch and some hot takes? Is this the dawn of a new era for Balkan television or just a lucky break? Share your thoughts because you don’t see this kind of thing every day!
