Playground produkcija was founded in Novi Sad (Serbia) in December 2006, and registered as a privately held film and video production group.
The founder and general manager Sarita Matijevic’s prior professional engagement included working as a Media and Information program coordinator at Soros Foundation/Fund for an Open Society Serbia, in the period between 1993-2006. Since 1991, she has simultaneously worked on dozens of television and film productions, as journalist, production manager and producer, for different independent Serbian and international media companies.
2007 and 2008 saw the start of production of a feature docu-drama (working title “Jasmin”) being made by outstanding Serbian independent film director Zelimir Zilnik; initializing of the production of TV news magazine “Portal”, as well as production of a series of documentary films (in the role of co-producer, together with 4 other producers from Germany, Slovenia, Bosnia and Turkey) – that were created as a part of year long international project “Divided God” – investigating the effects of the rising religious fundamentalism throughout Europe.
Playground produkcija is coordinating sales, distribution and international promotion of “Kenedi trilogy” – 3 films made on the issue of illegal immigrants and repatriation of Rroma asylum seekers from Western Europe back to Serbia (“Kenedi Goes Back Home”, “Kenedi, Lost and Found” and “Kenedi is Getting Married”, produced by Terra film).
In partnership with Center for New Media_Kuda.org, Playground participates in regional educational and research projects such as “The Continuous Arts Class” and ‘Political Practices of (post)Yugoslav Art’, through collaboration on the production of public events (exhibitions, workshops, etc), as well as the accompanying multimedia publications.
The common thread to all PLAYGROUND’s ongoing projects and initiatives is the production team effort to foster collaboration towards improving Serbian media and cultural scene, via content production that aims to stimulate inter-ethnic communication, strengthen inter-ethnic solidarity and improve ethno-cultural conditions in the society.