Celebrating cinematic brilliance at the Sarajevo Film Festival
The Sarajevo Film Festival has once again shone a spotlight on the vibrant and diverse talent emerging from Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. This year’s CineLink industry section was a testament to the power of storytelling, with several projects receiving prestigious awards and recognition.
A journey of rediscovery: ‘Big Women’
Serbian director Milica Tomović’s sophomore feature, Big Women, captivated the jury and won the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, a cash prize of €20,000 ($22,200). Produced by Dragana Jovović of Non-Aligned Films and Jelena Radenković for Big Time Production, the film follows two wild women on an unexpected trip to the coast of Montenegro. As they settle forgotten bills, rediscover their friendship, and uncover long-buried secrets, the narrative promises a blend of humor, drama, and heartfelt moments. Tomović’s previous work, Celts, was critically acclaimed at Berlinale and Sarajevo, setting high expectations for this new venture. Watch the trailer.
Art and turmoil: ‘Times New Roman’
Philip Sotnychenko’s Times New Roman also made waves, winning the Eurimages Special Co-Production Development Award, another €20,000 ($22,200) prize. Produced by Valeria Sochyvets for Contemporary Ukrainian Cinema, the film is set against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion. It follows a contemporary artist with an alcohol problem who seeks understanding from his loved ones while grappling with recurring events and circumstances. Sotnychenko, who won best director last year at Sarajevo for La Palisiada, continues to explore complex human emotions and societal issues. Watch the trailer.
Unveiling family secrets: ‘Hear the Yellow’
The Post Republic Award in the CineLink Work in Progress section went to Banu Sıvacı’s Hear the Yellow, produced by Yusuf Aslanyürek and Orkun Huylu for Anagraffilm, Huylu Film, and Aslanyürek Film. This film, which will receive post-production services worth €30,000 ($33,400), tells the story of a woman who returns to her Anatolian village in search of her missing cat. Along the way, she uncovers family secrets and reconnects with her roots. Watch the trailer.
A tale of inheritance: ‘Honey Bunny’
The Turkish National Radio Television Award, amounting to €25,000 ($27,800), was awarded to Honey Bunny, directed by Igor Jelinović and produced by Rea Rajčić with production companies Eclectica and Baš-Čelik. The film centers on a woman’s secret effort to secure a coveted family property, leading to a fracture in her relationship with her sister when unspoken tensions come to a head. Watch the trailer.
The caregiver’s dilemma: ‘Lullaby’
The Female CineLink Award, supported by the Slovenian Film Center and U.N. Women – Bosnia and Herzegovina, went to Keti Machaviarani’s Lullaby, produced by Anda Ionescu of View Master Films. This film, which received a cash prize of €20,000 ($22,200), follows a caregiver who faces the death of the elderly man she cares for, questioning if she can get through the challenge without betraying her values. Watch the trailer.
Environmental impact: ‘Divia’
The CineLink Impact Award, worth €20,000 ($22,200), was given to Divia, directed by Dmytro Hreshko. This conceptual documentary explores the impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine’s environment and its consequences for society. Produced by Polina Herman and Glib Lukianets for Gogol Film and UP UA Studio, the film promises a poignant and timely examination of environmental and societal issues. Watch the trailer.
Battling biblical plagues: ‘Pray for Us’
In the CineLink Drama strand, the Croatian Audiovisual Center Drama Award went to Filip Jokanović’s Pray for Us, produced by Jon Gojani and Sara Stijović for Kot Productions. This horror series, which received €15,000 ($16,700), follows a priest who battles 10 biblical plagues in an isolated Bosnian village, racing against time to save his family and his sanity. Watch the trailer.
A portrait of an artist: ‘In Hell With Ivo’
The Docu Rough Cut Boutique section saw In Hell With Ivo from director-producer Kristina Nikolova for LunaClipse Media emerge as a big winner. This documentary feature, which received multiple awards including the Avantpost Award offering €20,000 ($22,200) in post-production services, is a portrait of Bulgarian choreographer, visual artist, and singer-songwriter Ivo Dimchev. Watch the trailer.
Full list of winners
Here’s a comprehensive rundown of the winners at the Sarajevo Film Festival:
CineLink Co-Production Market Awards
- Eurimages Co-Production Development Award: Big Women
- Eurimages Special Co-Production Development Award: Times New Roman
- Film Center Montenegro CineLink Award: Hystéra
- Film Center Serbia CineLink Award: Air in a Bottle
- ArteKino International Prize: Uptight Ass
CineLink Drama Awards
- Croatian Audiovisual Center Drama Award: Pray for Us
- TV Drama Vision Pitch Award: Angelmaker
CineLink Work in Progress
- Turkish National Radio Television Award: Honey Bunny
- Post Republic Award: Hear the Yellow
- CineLink Impact Award: Divia
Docu Rough Cut Boutique
- HBO Award: In Hell With Ivo
- Cat&Docs Award: Kartli
- DOK Leipzig Preview Award: Electing Miss Santa
- Avantpost Award: In Hell With Ivo
- Movies That Matter Award: Electing Miss Santa
- East Silver Caravan Award: In Hell With Ivo
The Sarajevo Film Festival continues to be a beacon for emerging talent and innovative storytelling, celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of the regions it represents.