Happy Thursday, Stage 32ers!

I had the great privilege to present the Stage 32 Certification program at the 2025 Blend Film & Games Conference in Zagreb, Croatia. This was all made possible through our partnership with the Zagreb Film Office and the leadership of Mia Pećina Drašković and her hard-working team. The conference brought experts in films, TV, and gaming from across all corners of Europe and North America, and the creative atmosphere was in full swing. It showed that talent is everywhere, and it is by connecting with other passionate creatives that gives access and opportunity for them to flourish.

Stage 32 Certification isn’t simply a credential; it’s an opportunity for people and communities to raise their professional standards, connect emerging talent to the global film and television industry, and provide creatives everywhere with the knowledge and confidence to thrive on international productions. What’s happening in Zagreb is a perfect example of that mission in action.

What makes this collaboration so exciting is that the Zagreb Film Office and Stage 32 share a common goal: to build pathways for growth. Together, they’re offering certification that puts world-class training, mentorship, and networking within reach for Croatian creatives—helping them to move seamlessly between local projects and international opportunities.

I’m profoundly grateful to the Zagreb Film Office for championing this partnership and to every attendee who brought passion, questions, and creativity to the session. I met with Belgian animators who worked on Baldur’s Gate 3 as well as THE Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, who was this year’s international partner, marketing heads from Activision, location specialists from Canada and Germany, virtual production innovators from Poland, creative entrepreneurs from Croatia, and Latvian animators behind last year’s Oscar winner for best animation feature, Flow. Together, Stage 32 and partners like this are building bridges between education, industry, and innovation.

The energy in Zagreb is contagious— from the statue of Nikola Tesla to the moving stories shared at the Museum of Broken Relationships (you’ll literally be busting a gut laughing one minute and crying at the next), there’s a powerful creative current running through this city. I left the event more convinced than ever that by empowering storytellers with scalable skills and global connections, we’re not only strengthening careers—we’re shaping the next chapter of Croatia’s place on the international film and TV map.

Here’s to a bright future for Zagreb’s filmmakers and all the powerful creatives that I met there. Let’s keep growing, collaborating, and elevating the stories that deserve to be seen around the world. Živjeli!

You can watch the full video of my conversation, "How to Upskill, Network, & Work in Film & TV Globally Through Stage 32", by clicking HERE or on the image below!

What has been filmed in Zagreb, Croatia?

Zagreb has served as a captivating backdrop for numerous notable films and TV series across decades, blending its architectural elegance and historic charm with global storytelling. Prominent international films such as “Sophie's Choice” and “Fiddler on the Roof” shot key scenes in Zagreb due to its resemblance to Central and Eastern European cities, while Orson Welles’ classic adaptation of “The Trial” also utilized Zagreb’s locations. The Oscar-winning German film “Tin Drum” filmed parts of its story there, and action favorites like Jackie Chan’s “Armour of God” also featured scenes from Zagreb.

In addition to global productions, Zagreb’s own animation studio, Zagreb Film, gained recognition with series like “Professor Balthazar” and “Inspektor Maska,” further underscoring the city’s rich cinematic tradition. Zagreb’s recognizable cityscapes have also appeared in TV series such as the adaptation of “Tales of Mystery and Imagination.” This diverse portfolio highlights Zagreb’s enduring appeal to both international and domestic productions. In the south of Croatia, audiences will be familiar with the streets of Dubrovnik as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones.

Where in the world are you creating from, and what kind of international opportunities or collaborations are you hoping to explore on your creative journey?

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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