5 Minutes with… Trayan Velev
Trayan Velev, managing director at Film Fixers Balkans, stands as a transformative force in the Balkan creative landscape. With a career spanning directing, producing, and providing top-tier production services, Trayan has become a visionary advocate for the region's film and TV industry. His company, Film Fixers Balkans, operates across 19 countries, offering unparalleled production support that has earned the team at Film Fixers collaborations with high-profile projects such as ‘90 Day Fiancé’ and global icons like Bear Grylls. All of this is underpinned by Trayan’s unwavering dedication to showcasing the Balkans as what they really are – a vibrant, “borderless” and unified destination for both filmmakers and entrepreneurs.
“Borderless,” because Trayan’s approach to uniting diverse Balkan identities into cohesive and collaborative productions highlights the shared history of the region, transcending differences and borders. By fostering partnerships rooted in mutual respect and a sense of shared purpose, Trayan has redefined the potential of cross-cultural teamwork.
His commitment extends beyond film and television too – Trayan ventures into theatre to bring regional culture to new audiences, particularly children.
In short, Trayan envisions a future where the Balkans rival global creative hubs like the UK and US, leveraging the region’s authenticity and talent to appeal to international audiences, while preserving the region’s deeply cherished traditions and folklore. Read on to find out how he plans on making that future possible.
LBB> Your career spans directing, producing, and providing production services. What initially inspired you to pursue this multifaceted path in the film and television industry?
Trayan> The humorous answer is that I’ve always wanted to be ‘the boss’ and tell people what needs to be done. The serious answer, which isn’t too far from the joke, is that I’ve always had a clear vision of how things should look, be done, or evolve. I’ve always believed in my approach, and these roles have given me the opportunity to realise it. Moreover, they come with a bonus – a lot of joy, happy moments, and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful that works and that you had only as an idea at first.
LBB> From working on high-profile projects like '90 Day Fiancé' and collaborating with names like Bear Grylls, what have been the most significant milestones in your career so far, and what have they taught you that you’ve brought to Film Fixers Balkans?
Trayan> Looking back, working with so many big Dutch, British, French, Japanese and Korean companies on TV shows, movies and commercials, the two most significant milestones are completing our first project for Discovery Channel. It was a turning point. At the time, the demands felt impossibly high – big crew, famous people, and high expectations.
Then the second milestone is expanding the company to enter the advertising industry as a service company for commercials – we realised how what we've learned from making TV can help us in commercial and music video services and how it makes us absolutely unique in the region. I don't believe there is another company with such a diverse background and experience.
LBB> What challenges did you face when starting Film Fixers Balkans, and how have these shaped your approach to business and creativity today?
Trayan> The biggest challenge we have faced – and sometimes still face – is that people didn’t know much about us or our services. Building trust in the industry is a slow process, even with hard work. This has taught me the importance of consistently showcasing our work, meeting new people, and staying active on social media. We’ve become increasingly focused on these efforts, and we are always open to work with new clients.
LBB> Film Fixers Balkans operates across 19 countries, offering comprehensive services. How do you ensure seamless coordination across such a diverse region?
Trayan> We achieve this by working with colleagues who share our vision, ideals, and friendly approach. Our partnerships are built on the idea of uniting the Balkans – encouraging people to work together, support one another, and see no boundaries in the region.
LBB> You’ve been vocal about promoting the Balkans as an ideal place for business and living. What makes this region so unique and attractive for global productions and investors? How can clients better understand the pros of filming here?
Trayan> The people are what make the Balkans unique. Balkan communities are friendly, lighthearted, and hardworking – though maybe not too hard-working! But you can always rely on them to keep their word and deliver on promises. Beyond the people, the region itself offers a sense of freedom to explore and experiment, without rigid systems that make you feel trapped. It’s also an affordable destination where you can experience rich traditions, cultures, and relaxation, all without breaking the bank. Finally, there are amazing beautiful places that have not been deeply explored by most of the people.
LBB> You describe the Balkans as a “borderless” place. How does this idea manifest in your work, especially in how you mix crews, locations, and cultures in your productions?
Trayan> This manifests in how we bring together different people with different cultural backgrounds using everyone’s strong sides and characters. We the Balkans share a common history and cultural connections, which make our collaborations feel like small-scale Babylon. It’s beautiful to see people work together and support each other across borders. This idea of unity and mutual respect is at the heart of everything we do.
LBB> The region is often seen as one with diverse but fragmented identities. How do you approach uniting these differences through your projects to present a cohesive, collaborative image of the region?
Trayan> While we may seem fragmented, we actually have so much in common. Working together highlights our similarities and creates a deeper bond. Even translating jokes between different languages brings a sense of unity and fun. Once people see how much they share in their cultures and language with their neighbours, the collaboration becomes more sincere, almost like long-lost siblings reuniting.
LBB> Beyond film, you’ve begun producing theatre to highlight the region’s culture. What inspired this expansion, and how do you see it complementing your work in film and television? What projects have you worked on so far, and how would you describe the process?
Trayan> We started the theatre company as a side charity project to enhance the theatre experience for children and family audiences. It’s been an inspiring journey, allowing us to explore cultural storytelling in a new medium. The process is more intimate and immediate than film, offering a fresh perspective that complements our work in production. We work to provide accessible theatre for kids and their family that are in need.
LBB> You’ve expressed a desire to elevate the Balkans to the level of the UK or the US in terms of creative industries. What steps are essential to achieve this goal, and how do you see Film Fixers Balkans playing a role?
Trayan> I may not aim to fully replicate their industries, but I admire their productivity and global mindset. We need to think beyond local markets and see the world as one audience. The Balkans must focus on what makes the region unique and develop products that appeal globally. Others, like [Emir] Kusturica in the 1990s or Korean industries in recent years, have shown us it’s possible. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel – just refine our approach.
LBB> How is the rest of the industry responding to this push to level up the region? Are other companies equally enthused, in your opinion?
Trayan> Yes, there are a few young companies that are pushing hard for progress. If we continue in this direction, we’ll see results. The key is to focus on what could be achieved and strive for that vision. Meanwhile we will continue to propagate those ideas and make everything possible to share the ideas.
LBB> You’ve worked on complex productions in the region. What lessons can other production hubs learn from the Balkans’ ability to deliver cost-effective, high-quality projects?
Trayan> For me, it is important that other hubs find a way to demonstrate the strong and unique side of their region and culture. Show what they are really good at and best at, as we do that for the Balkan region.
LBB> What is your biggest hope for the next year, both for FFB and the region overall?
Trayan> My biggest hope is more collective focus invested in infrastructure – roads, bridges, and cross-country connections in the region. This would encourage more businesses to move to the Balkan region and to stay here.
