Sarajevo Film Festival: A spotlight on emerging cinema

The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival is set to dazzle audiences from August 16 to 23, showcasing a diverse array of films from Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. This year, the festival’s industry program, CineLink, will present a compelling work-in-progress showcase featuring eight feature-length fiction films and one documentary. These projects, currently in production or post-production, promise to offer fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling.

A platform for new voices

CineLink’s showcase is more than just a presentation; it’s a launchpad for filmmakers to connect with funders, sales agents, distributors, broadcasters, and festival programmers. This initiative aims to propel these projects towards completion and enhance their distribution prospects. Let’s delve into the intriguing lineup of films that will be vying for attention at this year’s festival.

Frontline (Poland, Ukraine, Denmark)

Documentary
Director: Alisa Kovalenko
Producer: Kasia Kuczynska

In the heart of the Ukrainian frontline, a mother, soldier, and filmmaker captures the fragile tranquility shattered by war. Through her dual lens, she reveals a deeply personal and unseen side of conflict. Frontline

Harakiri (Romania)

Fiction
Directors: Adrian Sitaru, Vlad Popa
Producer: Iriana Adnana

“Harakiri” intertwines two seemingly unrelated stories: one navigating the superficial and critical approach of a TV show about suicide, the other delving into love and mental health at home. Harakiri

Hear the Yellow (Turkey)

Fiction
Director: Banu Sıvacı
Producers: Yusuf Aslanyürek, Orkun Huylu

Returning to her Anatolian village, Suna searches for her missing cat, uncovering family secrets and reconnecting with her roots along the way. Hear the Yellow

Honey Bunny (Croatia, Serbia)

Fiction
Director: Igor Jelinović
Producer: Rea Rajčić

Tonina’s secret move to secure a coveted family property in Hvar fractures her relationship with her sister Tajana. This leads to a visit filled with simmering resentments, where unspoken tensions come to a head. Honey Bunny

Kriegsausgabe (Turkey)

Fiction
Director: Tarık Aktaş
Producers: Güneş Şekeroğlu, Tarık Aktaş

“Kriegsausgabe” is a dystopian epic journey set in Mesopotamia where Kramnuk, an infamous fighter, tries to escape the violence and misery he’s responsible for. Kriegsausgabe

Lust (Bulgaria, Denmark, Sweden)

Fiction
Director: Ralitza Petrova
Producers: Poli Angelova, Nikolay Todorov, Ralitza Petrova, Eva Jakobsen, Anna Byvald

When a daughter becomes the unwitting heir to her estranged father, all she wants is to refuse the inheritance and get back to her life. But a near-death experience changes everything. Lust

My Turn! (Hungary)

Fiction
Director: Ge Zhang
Producers: Katalin Csényi, Sissy Cui

The film explores the challenges of disconnection through the journey of a brother and sister as they strive to break free from the confines of tradition, maturity, and their own bodies. My Turn!

One Month (Bulgaria)

Fiction
Director: Maya Vitkova-Kosev
Producer: Maya Vitkova-Kosev

Sarah, an artist still living with her parents, who has not had a relationship since her fiancé left her 10 years ago, has one month to find a father for her future child in order to keep her life intact. One Month

Supporting Role (Georgia, Estonia, Turkey)

Fiction
Director: Ana Urushadze
Producers: Davit Tsintsadze, Ivo Felt, Sophio Bendiashvili, Bacho Meburishvili, Zeynep Atakan, Andrey Epifanov, Eleonora Granata, Dato Bakhtadze

A retired Georgian film star, used to playing heroic leads, embarks on a cathartic odyssey after being offered a supporting role as an unpleasant elderly man. Supporting Role

Reflections for cinema enthusiasts

The Sarajevo Film Festival’s work-in-progress showcase is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic nature of contemporary cinema. Each film in this lineup offers a unique lens through which we can explore complex themes and narratives. From the personal and intimate to the grand and dystopian, these films promise to captivate and challenge audiences.

For those passionate about cinema, this festival is an opportunity to witness the birth of new stories and the emergence of fresh voices in the industry. It’s a reminder of the power of film to transcend borders and connect us through shared human experiences.

As we look forward to the festival, let’s celebrate the creativity and resilience of these filmmakers. Their work not only enriches our cultural landscape but also inspires us to see the world through different eyes.