# Arben Zharku

Arben Zharku (born 2 February 1982 in Kaçanik, Kosovo) is a producer based in Amsterdam Netherlands. Former Director of Kosovo Cinematography Center and SKENA UP International Students Film and Theatre Festival in Pristina. He graduated from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Pristina in 2004, in Acting, and in 2009 he graduated as a Producer at EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs). From 2003-2014 Arben has also been working as a Manager at the Multimedia Centre in Pristina which has the aim to develop contemporary and children's theatre. As an actor, he has perform in different theater performances as well in different films. As a producer he has been involved in various film productions trying to build the respective infrastructure and he makes efforts to extend his knowledge by gaining experience from film production experts. He is member of the European Film Academy.

## Early life

Zharku was a teenager during the Kosovo war. He remained in Kaçanik when the heavy invasion began and in early 1999 went up into the nearby mountains to assist doctors treating patients in need.

## Producer

Zharku moved into film production through his background in theater. In 2009 with his partner Jeton Neziraj they formed Qendra Production with the aim to develop cinematography in Kosovo, focusing on new voices, developing filmmakers and creating opportunities for international co-production.
In 2011, Zharku won the Best Producer Award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival with his film The Wedding Tape directed by Ariel Shaban.
Zharku is a voting member of the European Film Academy.
In April 2012 Arben was awarded with Europe's highest Co-production Prize for short film, given by Robert Bosch Foundation for his film I'll Go To War, But First Make Me a Coffee.

## Director Kosovo Cinematography Center

From April 2011 until 2021, Zharku has been involved with Kosovo Cinematography Center, first as a President and from January 2014 as CEO. KCC is a public film fund of the Republic of Kosovo. At 29 years of age, actor-producer Arben Zharku has just been appointed head of the KCC.
During his mandate as the head of the KCC, he had the esteemed privilege of supporting and collaborating with exceptional filmmakers and films, including but not limited to ‘Hive’ by Blerta Basholli, ‘Babai’ and ‘Exile’ by Visar Morina, ‘Looking for Venera’ by Norika Sefa, ‘Vera Dreams of Sea’ by Kaltrina Krasniqi, ‘Zana’ by Antoneta Kastrati, ‘The Hill Where Lionesses Roar’ by Luana Bajrami, ‘Cold November’ by Ismet Sijarina, ‘Shok’ by Jamie Donoughue, ‘In Between’ and ‘Displaced’ by Samir Karahoda, among numerous others. These films generated significant attention at international festivals such as Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Karlovy Vary Film Festival Sundance Film Festival, San Sebastian International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival contributing to the emergence of the so-called Kosovo New Wave.

### Controversy

On his appointment as President, Zharku controversially spoke out against the stagnating state of film financing in Kosovo. Zharku has urged for reform of the structure of film financing within Kosova arguing for financing of the "Kosovo New Wave" filmmakers who have traditionally made 'no budget' or guerrilla filmmaking films.
Zharku has set out to back voices that he believes are relevant and powerful, voices with international reach. For Zharku it is important that the stories of filmmakers and actors are heard and that the growing swell of new Kosovar talent is nurtured.

## Festival Director

Zharku is a co-founder and was a director (2003-2013) of SKENA UP International Students Film and Theatre Festival in Pristina.
SKENA UP Festival is considered one of the biggest festivals in Kosovo and the main student film and theatre festival in the Balkan region.
More than 40 Film academies from around the world are presented every year at SKENA UP including National Film and Television School, American Film Institute, Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Marubi film school, London Film School etc.
Special guests have included: Arta Dobroshi, Katriel Schory, Nik Powell, Jan Harlan, Donall McCusker, Mark O'Halloran, Pavel Jech, Daniel Mulloy, Nikola Vukčević, Jacques Achoti, Gjergj Gjuvani, Bernd Buder, Daniel Stamm, Enver Petrovci.

### Jury Member

Zharku has been a Jury Member at numerous international film festivals including:
* Tel-Aviv International Students Film Festival in Israel in 2010 (international competition).
* Cottbus Film Festival in Germany in 2010 (short competition program).
* Art Film Festival in Slovakia in 2010 (main competition program).
* Munich International Student's Festival in Germany 2011.
* ACT Festival in Bilbao 2010.