AGP Executive Report

Shared Heritage: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia are advancing a joint UNESCO bid for the Prespa region, alongside plans to strengthen cultural-sector training and support contemporary creativity. A highlight of the cooperation is the restored 12th-century frescoes at Kurbinovo’s St George Church, now handed over to North Macedonia’s heritage authorities. EXPO 2027: North Macedonia’s pavilion in Belgrade will showcase its music, food, wine, tourism and creative industries under the theme “All Rhythms of the Sun.” Film: The Lost Son, a Slovenia-Greece-Croatia-North Macedonia-Italy coproduction, is screening in competition at the Festival of Slovenian Film; separately, the UK Global Screen Fund has backed its first projects involving North Macedonia. On Screen: North Macedonia is among 16 countries in the Junior Eurovision final running order, while the first Chinese Film Festival in North Macedonia is bringing contemporary features and shorts to audiences in five cities.

Film: North Macedonia is among the co-production partners on The Lost Son, Darko Štante’s family-violence drama screening in competition at the Festival of Slovenian Film Portorož, running October 13–18. Cultural Heritage: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia have agreed to pursue UNESCO World Heritage status for the Prespa region. The move follows restoration of the 12th-century frescoes at Kurbinovo’s Byzantine Church of St George, with the monument set to open to visitors. Screen Partnerships: The UK Global Screen Fund has awarded support to projects including its first co-production with North Macedonia, though details of the film were not announced. Cinema Audiences: North Macedonia’s first Chinese Film Festival brought eight features and short films to audiences in five cities. Eurovision: North Macedonia is set to perform 13th in the Junior Eurovision 2026 final in Malta on October 24.

Shared Heritage: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia have launched a joint bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for the Prespa region, highlighting its natural riches and cultural history. Byzantine Art: Restoration of rare 1191 frescoes at St George’s Church in Kurbinovo is complete, with the monument expected to open to visitors. Film: Skopje’s Cinematheque hosted the first Chinese Film Festival in North Macedonia, screening features and short films across five cities through October 13. Industry: The UK Global Screen Fund has, for the first time, backed co-productions with North Macedonia as part of more than £1.7 million in new awards. Junior Eurovision: North Macedonia is set to perform 13th in the October 24 final in Malta.

Cultural Heritage: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia have agreed to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the Prespa region, recognising its natural and cultural legacy. The move coincided with the handover of restored 12th-century frescoes at Kurbinovo’s Byzantine Church of St George; the monument is set to open to visitors. Film: Skopje’s Cinematheque welcomed audiences to North Macedonia’s first Chinese Film Festival, featuring eight contemporary films and award-winning shorts across five cities through October 13. Screen Funding: The UK Global Screen Fund’s latest awards will support co-productions with North Macedonia for the first time, as part of funding for seven projects involving 13 territories. Music: North Macedonia is among 16 countries in the Junior Eurovision 2026 final, set for October 24 in Malta.

Shared Heritage: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia have launched a joint bid to add the Prespa region to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, citing its biodiversity and rich cultural history. Byzantine Restoration: Work on the rare 1191 frescoes at St George’s Church in Kurbinovo is complete; the monument is expected to open to visitors. Film Industry: The UK Global Screen Fund has awarded more than £1.7 million to new projects, including co-productions with North Macedonia for the first time. Cinema: North Macedonia’s first Chinese Film Festival opened at Skopje’s Cinematheque, with screenings in five cities through October 13. Junior Eurovision: North Macedonia is among 16 countries set to compete in the Malta final on October 24.

Shared Heritage: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia are seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for the Prespa region, highlighting its rich cultural and natural legacy. The push coincides with the handover of restored 1191 frescoes at Kurbinovo’s Byzantine Church of St George, which North Macedonia plans to open to visitors. Screen Partnerships: The UK Global Screen Fund’s latest awards include its first supported co-productions with North Macedonia, as part of a £1.23 million package for seven international projects. Film Festival: The first Chinese Film Festival in North Macedonia is drawing audiences to screenings in five cities through October 13, with eight contemporary features and award-winning shorts. Junior Eurovision: North Macedonia will perform 12th in the October 24 Junior Eurovision final in Malta.

Film: North Macedonia’s first Chinese Film Festival opened at Skopje’s Cinematheque, drawing a packed crowd. Running through October 13 across five cities, it features eight contemporary films and award-winning shorts by emerging directors. Junior Eurovision: North Macedonia will perform 12th in the October 24 final in Malta, among 16 competing acts.

Film: North Macedonia’s first Chinese Film Festival opened at Skopje’s Cinematheque, bringing eight contemporary features and award-winning shorts to audiences in five cities through October 13. Junior Eurovision: North Macedonia is set to perform 12th among 16 acts at the October 24 final in Malta.

Publishing: Macedonian is among seven languages targeted in 14 new translation and co-publishing partnerships announced by Abu Dhabi’s Arabic Language Centre at the Frankfurt Book Fair, bringing Emirati and Arab literature to more readers. Film: Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has unveiled its 2026 competitions, including 12 debut films from 19 countries; the festival runs November 6–22. Regional Cinema: Thessaloniki’s Agora Crossroads forum selected 14 projects from 15 countries for its November co-production programme, spotlighting new work from Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Streaming: SkyShowtime is now available on Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp TVs in North Macedonia, bringing Hollywood films, series and family shows to the platforms. Film: North Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski is among the filmmakers featured in the Tokyo International Film Festival’s 2026 competition lineup.

Streaming: SkyShowtime is coming to Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp TVs in North Macedonia, bringing Hollywood films, series and family shows directly to supported smart TVs. Publishing: Abu Dhabi’s Arabic Language Centre announced new translation partnerships at the Frankfurt Book Fair, including projects to bring Emirati and Arab books into Macedonian. Film: Milcho Manchevski is among the filmmakers with a world premiere in the Tokyo International Film Festival’s newly announced competition lineup.

Film & Co-Production: Thessaloniki’s Agora Crossroads Co-production Forum (67th Thessaloniki IFF) unveiled 14 projects from 15 countries, with themes ranging from representation and manhood to folk stories and vampires, running 8–12 Nov. Film & Co-Production: Warsaw Co-Production Forum selected 16 European projects for Warsaw Industry Days, mixing 10 works in development with 6 works in progress (15–16 Oct). Music: Portuguese dark metal veterans Moonspell announced their 2027 “God Is A Vampire Tour,” with stops including North Macedonia, plus guests Iotunn and TodoMal. Sports (Local Spotlight): Olympiacos opened the women’s Balkan Cup in Strumica with a dominant 3-0 win over CSKA Sofia, setting up the next match vs Drita. Culture (Local Arts): Students from Mihai Bătrânu School of Arts in Dondușeni presented “Homeland” at Parliament, showcasing landscapes and local symbols through painting. Media/Tech: Titan OS brings SkyShowtime to Philips and Sharp smart TVs across North Macedonia and 21 other European markets.

EU & Identity Politics: North Macedonia President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova says EU integration and Bulgaria’s constitutional demands can’t be treated as only a bilateral issue, stressing respect for judicial independence and warning Parliament decides on any amendments. Streaming & Tech for Arts Audiences: Titan OS has added SkyShowtime to Philips and Sharp smart TVs across 22 markets including North Macedonia, bringing movies and series straight to home screens. Arts in Public Spaces: Students from Mihai Bătrânu School of Arts in Dondușeni showcased “Homeland” at Parliament, sharing local landscapes, symbols, and music-inspired works. Culture on Tour: Moonspell announced its 2027 “God Is A Vampire Tour,” with stops across Eastern Europe including North Macedonia, plus guests Iotunn and TodoMal. Sports-Entertainment Crossovers: Scotland’s Nations League clash with Slovenia at Hampden (BBC Two/BBC Scotland, 7:45pm) follows Scotland’s 2-0 win over North Macedonia, while the match coverage also highlights the wider media push around the Pocognoli era.

Arts in Skopje & beyond: Students from Mihai Bătrânu School of Arts in Dondușeni are showing their work at the Parliament exhibition “Homeland,” with landscapes, local symbols, and scenes inspired by their daily lives, using gouache, varnish, and oil on canvas. Heavy music on the road: Portuguese dark metal legends Moonspell announced the 2027 “God Is A Vampire Tour,” with stops across Europe including North Macedonia, plus guests Iotunn and TodoMal. Sports culture in the spotlight (Skopje): Scotland’s Nations League win over North Macedonia put Kieron Bowie’s early goal and John McGinn’s penalty in focus, while a dog pitch invasion briefly halted play—an odd, very memorable moment for fans in the region. International football buzz: Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli framed the long international break as useful for settling in, ahead of the Hampden rematch with Slovenia.

Arts & Culture in Skopje/Parliament: Students from Mihai Bătrânu School of Arts in Dondușeni brought their “Homeland” painting exhibition to Parliament, sharing landscapes, local symbols, and everyday life through gouache, varnish, and oil on canvas. Music (Europe-wide): Portuguese metal veterans Moonspell announced the 2027 “God Is A Vampire Tour,” with Iotunn and TodoMal joining, including a stop in North Macedonia. Sports & Spotlight on North Macedonia: Scotland’s Nations League win over North Macedonia in Skopje put Kieron Bowie’s early strike and John McGinn’s penalty in focus, while the match was briefly halted by a dog on the pitch. Local Interest (Scotland vs Slovenia): Scotland head to Hampden for a Slovenia rematch after the North Macedonia result, with TV and streaming details driving heavy audience attention. Heritage & Politics: The return of Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria sparked major discussion in North Macedonia’s media, tied to identity and the Bled Agreement.

Nations League Spotlight: Scotland’s new era under Sebastien Pocognoli got its first real spark in Skopje as Kieron Bowie scored early and John McGinn added a penalty in a 2-0 win over North Macedonia, ending a long Scotland scoring drought. Skopje Moment: The match briefly stopped when a dog wandered onto the pitch, turning the stadium into a surreal sideshow before play resumed. Captain at 100: Andy Robertson marked his 100th Scotland cap with a standout performance, with fans and teammates celebrating the milestone as he closes in on Kenny Dalglish’s record. Next Up in Skopje: Scotland head into the rematch with Slovenia and then another Nations League visit to North Macedonia, chasing consistency after mixed results. Culture & Heritage: Separate from football, Tsar Samuel’s remains returned to Bulgaria after more than 1,000 years, a story that also stirred debate in North Macedonia over shared history and identity.