Full Breakdown
Hollywood Thriller and Post-COVID Documentary Turn Zagreb into a Film Set
8/13/2026, 12:20:40 AM
Major Productions Filming in Zagreb
Zagreb is currently the backdrop for two high-profile film projects. The political thriller “Snake Island,” directed by Doug Liman and starring Oscar-winning actors Adrien Brody and Sean Penn, is being shot entirely in Croatia’s capital. Production crews have transformed parts of Mihanoviceva Street and the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel with sandbags, barricades and extras in Ukrainian-styled uniforms to depict a covert underwater mission linked to the September 2022 Nord Stream sabotage.
At the same time, Croatian filmmaker Branko Ištvancic is moving his 70-minute documentary “Bardo – A Post-COVID Story” into the final stage of pre-production. The film, which recounts Ištvancic’s own severe COVID-19 illness and subsequent coma, will be filmed primarily in Zagreb with additional scenes planned in Tavankut, Serbia.
Incentives and Funding Landscape
Both projects benefit from Croatia’s supportive film environment. According to *filmneweurope*, “Snake Island” is expected to tap the country’s 25 % local film-incentive scheme, a tax rebate designed to attract foreign productions. The documentary “Bardo” receives a 60,000 EUR grant from the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) and further backing from the private foundation Zaklada Adris, with a total estimated budget of 99,000 EUR.
Key Creatives and Partners
- Doug Liman – director of “Snake Island,” known for *The Bourne Identity* and *Mr. & Mrs. Smith*.
- Adrien Brody and Sean Penn – lead actors, both Oscar winners.
- Branko Ištvancic – director, screenwriter and cinematographer of “Bardo,” veteran of Croatian documentary cinema.
- Artizana – Croatian production company co-producing “Bardo.”
- Dr. Veljko Dordevic and Dr. Marijana Braš – medical consultants contributing expertise to the documentary.
Production Details and Timelines
“Snake Island” is being filmed on location in central Zagreb, with streets temporarily converted into a war-zone set. The production is ongoing, with no announced completion date. “Bardo” is slated for principal photography in 2026-2027, followed by post-production work aimed at a 2028 finish.
Anticipated Distribution and Festival Plans
While “Snake Island” has not disclosed distribution specifics, its international cast and political subject suggest a global release strategy. “Bardo” targets premieres at major documentary festivals such as IDFA, DOK Leipzig, Visions du Réel, Hot Docs and the Sarajevo Film Festival, followed by television broadcast and educational screenings.
