The story of Sarajevo Film Festival inception goes back to the period of 4-year siege of Sarajevo. At the end of the siege in late 1995., Obala Art Centre started the festival to contribute to the making of better future – rehabilitation of civil society and maintainance of cosmopolitan spirit of BiH’s capital city. Although it may be hard to believe, the first festival commenced in the besieged city on 27 October 1995., during which, according to available information, 37 films from 15 countries were shown in Bosanski kulturni centar (Bosnian Culture Centre). Around 15.000 people showed their appreciation for the festival, and all the shows were completely sold out.
Honorary Heart of Sarajevo
Every year Sarajevo Film Festival presents the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award. This award honours an individual for exceptional contribution to the affirmation and development of film and support in development of the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Business of Film
Sarajevo Film Festival serves as a joint platform for film business of the whole region. It is a place of encounter for producers, but also authors from this part of Europe, and it is known among the worldwide film professionals as an extremely important place for the exchange of ideas and information for all those who want to know more about the opportunities of our region.
Sarajevo Film Festival 2018
The 24th edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival opens 10 August with a screening of Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War, the Oscar-winning director who has won the Best Director prize for this film at the 71st edition of the Cannes International Film Festival. Filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski will introduce Cold War to the festival audience as part of the Sarajevo Film Festival’s Open Air programme, and the film will simultaneously screen at the Raiffeisen Open Air Cinema and National Theatre Sarajevo.
Competition Programme – Feature Film 2018
Four world premieres will be screened: One and a Half Prince, directed by Ana Lungu, The Pigeon Thieves, directed by Osman Doğan, Love 1. Dog, directed by Florin Șerban, and All Alone, directed by Bobo Jelčić. A film called Mali, directed by Antonio Nuić, will have an international premiere, whereas the following five films will have their regional premieres: ÁGA, directed by Milko Lazarov, Horizon, directed by Tinatin Kajrishvili, Lemonade, directed by Ioana Uricaru, One Day, directed by Zsófia Szilágyi, and The Load directed by Ognjen Glavonić.
61 Participants in the Talents Sarajevo 2018 Programme
The twentieth edition of Talents Sarajevo will host 61 promising actors, cameramen, directors, video editors, film critics, producers and screenwriters. There was a record-breaking number of applicants this year, which means that competition has never been stronger.
Tribute to: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, one of today’s most acclaimed filmmakers, will be the honorary guest of the 24th Sarajevo Film Festival’s Tribute to programme. Film critics describe him as a filmmaker who has developed a unique cinematic style through deeply atmospheric and emotional films that question traditional values and family ties, examine the human soul, and delve into existential matters, such as the issues of life and death.
