AGP Executive Report

Slovenian Film: The Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož spotlighted Girl in the Night, Whites Wash at Ninety and Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song. Slovenian-Italian animation Cosmonauts, by Leo Černic, won the 2026 Animest Trophy. TV: RTV Slovenia acquired rights to the first two seasons of children’s series Little Princess. Eurovision: Slovenia was among the countries whose broadcasters withdrew from the 2026 contest over Israel’s participation; voters also rejected a proposal to abolish the RTV licence fee.

Cultural Heritage: The Ukrainian Museum of Canada was named an Ambassador for Excellence at the 2026 Živa Awards in Bled, recognised for preserving Ukrainian heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue. Television: RTV Slovenija has acquired the first two seasons of preschool animation Little Princess, joining a wider European distribution push for the long-running series. Slovenian Film: The Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož is showcasing three competition features: Luka Marčetić’s Girl in the Night, Marko Naberšnik’s Whites Wash at Ninety and Ester Ivakič’s Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song. Animation: Leo Černic’s Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts won the top prize and audience award at Romania’s Animest festival, making it eligible for Oscar consideration.

Slovenian Film: The Festival of Slovenian Film is running in Portorož through 18 October, with Girl in the Night, Whites Wash at Ninety and Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song among the competition entries. Animation: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, directed by Leo Černic, won both the Animest Trophy and audience award in Bucharest, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. Children’s TV: RTV Slovenia has acquired the first two seasons of Little Princess, as the preschool series lands new deals across Europe. Theatre Abroad: Slovenia’s Mini Theatre will perform The End of Love at Bulgaria’s Age of Aquarius festival, which runs 21–25 October in Burgas.

Animation: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, directed by Leo Černic, won the top prize and audience award at Bucharest’s Animest festival, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. Slovenian Film: Three local features are competing at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož: Luka Marčetić’s Girl in the Night, Marko Naberšnik’s Whites Wash at Ninety and Ester Ivakič’s Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song. Television: Slovenia’s Pop TV has acquired or renewed seasons of German series Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue, announced at Mipcom. Public Media: Preliminary referendum results show voters backing the licence fee that funds RTV Slovenija; the EBU says the close result should prompt discussion about the broadcaster’s future. Live Music: Motionless In White will bring its tour to Ljubljana on June 14, 2027, with Skylar Grey joining the band for “R.I.P.” on the tour.

TV Deals: At Mipcom, Slovenia’s Pop TV picked up seasons of German dramas Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue, while RTV Slovenia acquired Nordic crime series Hildur. Festival News: Slovenian-Italian filmmaker Martin Turk will serve on the short-film jury at the 14th Bosphorus Film Festival, running Nov. 8–15. Public Media: Preliminary referendum results show Slovenian voters narrowly backing the RTV licence fee, preserving a key source of funding for the public broadcaster.

Public Media: Slovenia narrowly rejected a proposal to abolish RTV Slovenija’s licence fee, with 50.04% voting to keep it; postal ballots are still to be counted. Slovenian Film: The Festival of Slovenian Film opens in Portorož today, running through Oct. 18. Its competition includes Darko Štante’s The Lost Son, a drama about family violence and the struggle to break its cycle. Art Abroad: Slovenian artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace, made with nearly 1,000 lace flowers from more than 500 makers, is on display at Milwaukee City Hall through Oct. 14. TV: Slovenian broadcaster RTV has acquired Nordic crime drama Hildur, which follows a detective investigating a case tied to her sisters’ disappearance. Farewell: Duluth’s Singing Slovenians have performed their final show after 46 years of sharing Slovenian music and traditions.

Public Media: Slovenian voters narrowly rejected abolishing RTV Slovenia’s licence fee, with 50.04% voting to keep it in provisional results; postal ballots are still to be counted. Slovenian Film: Darko Štante’s The Lost Son, about a detective confronting violence in his own family, is screening in competition at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož, running October 13–18. TV: RTV Slovenia has acquired Nordic crime drama Hildur, joining broadcasters in France, the Netherlands, Australia and Latvia in picking up the six-part series. Visual Arts: Slovenian artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace, made with lace roses from more than 500 makers across 11 countries, is on view at Milwaukee City Hall through October 14. Music: Duluth’s Singing Slovenes have given their final performance after 46 years of sharing Slovenian music and traditions across the United States and beyond.

Slovenian Cinema: Darko Štante’s The Lost Son joins the competition at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož, running October 13–18. The Slovenia-led international coproduction follows a detective confronting his estranged brother and the legacy of family violence. Slovenian Art Abroad: Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace, built from handmade lace roses woven by more than 500 makers across 11 countries, is on display at Milwaukee City Hall through October 14. The installation draws on Slovenia’s lace-making heritage and reflects on war, resilience and human connection.

Slovenian Art Abroad: Artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace is on view at Milwaukee City Hall. Made from nearly 1,000 handmade lace roses woven by artists from 11 countries, the dove-shaped installation draws on Slovenia’s Idrija lace tradition and remembers Holocaust victims. Cycling: Primož Roglič claimed his first European time-trial title on home roads, giving Slovenia a major victory. Football: Slovenia beat Scotland in the Nations League, while Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško faces another spell out with a shin injury. Eurovision: Slovenia was among five broadcasters to withdraw from the 2026 contest after the European Broadcasting Union declined to hold a vote on Israel’s participation.

Slovenian Art Abroad: Artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace has been unveiled at Milwaukee City Hall. The soaring artwork combines handmade lace roses from 11 countries to explore connection, resilience and peace. Cycling: Bahrain Victorious heads to the Tour of Guangxi with Slovenian sprinter Žak Eržen targeting the opening stages; Afonso Eulálio will lead the team’s general-classification bid.

Eurovision: A look at the contest’s politics recalls Slovenia’s 2025 withdrawal, alongside Czechia’s decision to skip Eurovision 2027 over budget cuts. Public Media: Ahead of Sunday’s referendum, press-freedom groups warn that scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee without protected replacement funding could threaten its independence; they also oppose a separate proposal giving the government greater influence over appointments. Cycling: Primož Roglič claimed his first European time-trial title on home roads, giving Slovenian fans a standout sporting moment.

Music: Slovenian group Laibach brought its boundary-pushing stage presence to the Gulbenkian Theatre in England, where a stark on-screen warning set the tone for the performance. Wine and Culture: More than 45 producers gathered at Brdo for the Decanter medal-winners’ salon, showcasing award-winning wines and the region’s indigenous grapes. Eurovision: Czechia’s withdrawal from the 2027 contest over budget cuts revives debate about the contest’s future. Slovenia was among the broadcasters that previously pulled out amid controversy over Israel’s participation.

Public Media: Slovenians vote on October 11 on whether to abolish the licence fee funding RTV Slovenija. Press groups warn that removing it without a protected replacement could threaten the broadcaster’s independence. Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European time-trial title on home roads, beating France’s Bruno Armirail by seven seconds. Injured Tadej Pogačar attended the championships but did not race. Football: UEFA’s 55 member associations backed Slovenian president Aleksander Čeferin to seek a fourth and final term in 2027. Arts: Slovenia’s National Gallery was shortlisted for the European Museum Academy’s Art Museum Award; Athens’ EMΣT took the prize.

Cycling: Primož Roglič claimed his first European time-trial title on home roads in Šenčur, beating France’s Bruno Armirail by 6.58 seconds. Football: Slovenia’s 2–1 Nations League win over Scotland at Hampden dealt the hosts a damaging defeat. On Screen: Luka Dončić is the cover star of Sports Illustrated’s basketball preview, with a feature that follows the Lakers star back to his hometown of Ljubljana. Arts: Athens’ EMΣT won the European Museum Academy Art Museum Award, ahead of a shortlist that included Slovenia’s National Gallery.

Football Leadership: Slovenian UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin reversed his earlier decision and will seek a final term in 2027, citing unanimous support from member associations. Film Industry: Slovenian-born talent scout and producer Jan Ravnik is building a bridge between European filmmakers and Hollywood, drawing on contacts and experience from Ljubljana to Los Angeles. Cycling: Primož Roglič rescued Slovenia’s home European Championships with a time-trial victory, earning his first European title to cheers from local fans. Public Media: A call to protect independent, sustainable funding for RTV Slovenija renews focus on the future of Slovenia’s public broadcaster.

Film: Slovenian-born talent scout and producer Jan Ravnik is drawing attention for his Ljubljana roots and connections between European filmmakers and Hollywood, offering a glimpse of how cross-border talent reaches U.S. screens. Cycling: Primož Roglič gave Slovenia a home-soil triumph, winning his first European time-trial title at the championships in Šenčur after the hosts had gone without a medal. Slovenian cinema: Director Andrina Mračnikar is featured in connection with Mila/Marija, while actor Leon Lučev reflects on Belgrade as a meeting point for the present. Media: A call to protect independent, sustainable funding for RTV Slovenija keeps the future of the country’s public broadcaster in focus.