MENT, a platform dedicated to supporting emerging talent, is continuing its New Faces initiative with an Open Call for young music professionals under 30. This program aims to involve them in shaping the future of the regional music industry.
MENT is a platform based in Ljubljana that organizes festivals and conferences, serving as meeting points for artists, music professionals, and music lovers. At its 10th edition this year, the festival featured 88 artists from 24 countries over four days across 16 stages in Ljubljana. Meanwhile, their international conference brought together 700 music professionals, both local and foreign, from 35 countries, all with the goal of connecting the music scene, discovering new sounds, and showcasing innovative artists.
This will be the third edition of the New Faces project, which focuses on collaboration among countries of the former Yugoslavia. This year, Bulgaria’s SoAlive Music Conference & Festival joins the initiative, further uniting young professionals from across the Balkans.
In partnership with leading regional conferences and festivals, including MENT Ljubljana (Slovenia), Kontakt (Serbia), PIN Music Conference (North Macedonia), SoAlive Music Conference & Festival (Bulgaria), and SHIP (Croatia), New Faces 2025 bridges the gap between ambition and achievement.
The Open Call is aimed at young, behind-the-scenes music professionals in the region, not musicians themselves, but those shaping the music industry from the shadows. This program offers a unique opportunity for 10 selected individuals to actively participate in international music conferences and events, expand their industry knowledge, network with professionals, and showcase their work to experts.
Applications are open until December 10, 2024, and the public is invited to submit nominations or self-nominate by completing the application form.
The success of previous New Faces initiatives is already evident. Selected participants from prior years have gained valuable opportunities, such as attending key European events like Most Wanted: Music -Berlin’s music business festival – and the SPOT Festival in Denmark.
