News

Twisted Tales at the Play.Docs Showcase in Belgrade

Serious and not-so-serious games from across Europe in Belgrade!

On 24 May, we travelled to Belgrade to take part in the first edition of the Play.Docs Showcase, a brand new programme of the renowned Serbian documentary film festival BELDOCS. This new event, organised together with the Serbian Gaming Association (SGA), presented a spectacular fusion of gaming and storytelling.

The event aimed to explore the deep narratives, thought-provoking themes and innovative gameplay experiences that define the landscape of so-called serious video games. As video games have moved beyond their traditional role as mere entertainment and have evolved into a powerful medium for exploring complex issues, fostering empathy and sparking meaningful conversations, serious video games offer players a unique opportunity to address topics ranging from social justice and mental health to environmental conservation and historical events.

At the 17th edition of BELDOCS, Play.Docs was all about pushing boundaries and showcasing games that tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time. It was a playground for the mind, where play met reality in the most intriguing ways.

Our member team Sara took to the stage for the “European Gaming Narratives” panel, alongside Aleksandar Gavrilović (Gamechuck/CGDA, Croatia), Ines Kežman (Motovila/Creative Europe Desk, Slovenia), Saša Veličković (Codemancy, Serbia), Andriana Miladinović (Codemancy, Serbia), Una Domazetoski (Creative Europe Desk, Serbia), which was moderated by Nenad Jovanovski (SGA). The panel highlighted how the Creative Europe MEDIA programme supports game creators across Central and Eastern Europe, especially those from the ex-Yugoslav cultural space. Sara was there to present Twisted Tales.

The European Commission has been increasingly active in the field of game development in recent years. With big research projects already in the pipeline, new funding and capacity-building programs are set to roll out in the coming years to celebrate games not just as entertainment, but as powerful tools for education, social change, and storytelling.

After this event, we can only say that we are looking forward to a future of gaming where every new game is a step towards a better, more just world and every player is a hero in their own right. Stay tuned!