Sarajevo Film Festival: A new chapter in a storied legacy

The Sarajevo Film Festival has long been a beacon of cultural resilience and cinematic excellence. As it approaches its 30th edition, one might expect a reflective celebration of its origins during the harrowing siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990s. However, the festival’s organizers have chosen a different path, embracing change and innovation to ensure its continued relevance and vibrancy.

Embracing the future while honoring the past

Festival director Jovan Marjanović, who has been with the festival for two decades, emphasizes a forward-looking approach. “We are fully focused on the future,” he says, envisioning the next 25 to 30 years of the festival. This year’s event, running from August 16 to 23, will see a significant shift in its geographical and cultural epicenter.

A new heart for the festival

Historically, the festival’s activities have been concentrated in Sarajevo’s old town, particularly around the National Theater and the Bosnian Cultural Center. This year, the hub will move to the modern part of the city, centering around the Hotel Holiday and the adjacent Cineplexx Cinemas, an eight-screen multiplex built in 2021. A newly constructed open-air cinema across the street will also serve as a screening venue, while the nearby Festival Garden will host the opening party and function as an event hub throughout the festival.

The iconic Hotel Europe, a 140-year-old building, will no longer be the focal point for the CineLink industry program. Instead, this honor will go to the sleek, modern Swissotel in downtown Sarajevo. Marjanović explains, “It’s about finding new places in this city and making the festival a part of them — regenerating those places and reclaiming them for culture and entertainment.”

A diverse and dynamic program

The festival’s mission to “bring the best of cinema and TV to our audiences” is evident in its diverse program. This year, the festival opens with the world premiere of “My Late Summer,” a comedy-drama by Academy Award-winning Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanović. The film follows a young woman who travels to a remote island to settle a family inheritance, only to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Across the festival’s four competition sections for feature, documentary, short, and student films, 54 films will compete for the Heart of Sarajevo Awards. Highlights include the world premiere of “Dwelling Among the Gods” by Serbian director Vuk Ršumović and “Mother Mara” by Mirjana Karanović. The feature film competition will see eight films vying for top honors, including “Three Kilometers to the End of the World” by Romanian filmmaker Emanuel Pârvu and “The Village Next to Paradise” by Somali director Mo Harawe.

Star-studded celebrations

This year’s festival promises to be a star-studded affair. Two-time Academy Award winner Alexander Payne will receive an Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award and hold a masterclass. Screen icons John Turturro and Meg Ryan will present selections from their celebrated careers while receiving lifetime achievement awards. Palestinian auteur Elia Suleiman will also be honored with a retrospective of his works.

The feature-film competition jury will be headed by Oscar-nominated writer-director Paul Schrader, joined by Swedish actor and producer Noomi Rapace, Finnish director-writer Juho Kuosmanen, Sarajevo-born director Una Gunjak, and Slovenian actor Sebastian Cavazza.

A festival of pride and resilience

As the festival prepares to open its doors, Marjanović reflects on its enduring impact. “Thirty years of a festival that brings positive energy and a good spotlight on the city every year, I think it’s really amazing,” he says. “It creates a lot of pride for the citizens and for the country. It’s great to feel that love. It’s really driving all of us forward.”

The Sarajevo Film Festival continues to be a key incubator of regional talent and a platform for discovering new voices. With its blend of Hollywood glamour and local pride, the festival remains a vital part of Sarajevo’s cultural landscape.

For more information and to watch trailers of the featured films, visit the following links:

• My Late Summer
• Dwelling Among the Gods
• Mother Mara
• Three Kilometers to the End of the World
• The Village Next to Paradise

The Sarajevo Film Festival is not just an event; it’s a testament to the power of cinema to inspire, transform, and unite.