EXIT Festival Launches Crowdfunding After Loss of Funding
EXIT Festival, one of Serbia’s largest music events, has launched a global crowdfunding campaign following the withdrawal of €1.5 million in public co-funding and government-linked sponsorships.
According to the festival promoters, the funding cuts came after the 2025 edition proceeded despite what they describe as “governmental pressures” and “threats to cancel the event.”
The festival, founded in 2000 by Dusan Kovacevic, featured its usual mix of international and regional acts this summer, and promoters said it marked one of the most “emotionally charged” editions in its history.
The campaign aims to secure the festival’s short-term stability, safeguard more than 100 permanent jobs, and maintain its independence. Promoters are asking artists, industry partners, and fans to contribute financially, share the campaign through their networks, and express public support. The fundraising site is hosted at save.exitfest.org.
EXIT has long positioned itself as a socially engaged event, with past themes addressing freedom of expression, regional cooperation, and youth activism. The festival says its current situation highlights broader concerns about the independence of cultural events and the role of music in free expression.