The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, a beacon for cinematic artistry in Southeast Europe, has officially announced its compelling lineup of 51 films contending for the prestigious Heart of Sarajevo Awards. This eagerly anticipated roster, released on Thursday, promises a vibrant showcase of regional and international talent, with an impressive 21 productions slated to make their world premiere at the August event. Spanning across four core competition categories—Narrative Feature Film, Feature and Short Documentary Film, Narrative Short Film, and Student Short Film—the selection underscores the festival’s commitment to diverse storytelling and emerging voices. Only one film, Yugo Goes to America, will be screened out of competition, offering an additional cinematic experience to attendees.
A Vision for Cinema’s Public Life
Izeta Gračević, the creative director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, articulated a profound philosophy underpinning this year’s selection process. "At a time when films are more accessible than ever, the value of a film festival lies not in making films available, but in returning them to public life," Gračević stated, emphasizing the unique role festivals play in fostering collective cultural experiences. Her team meticulously reviewed a staggering 1,215 film submissions, a testament to the robust and prolific cinematic output from the region and beyond, ensuring a curated program that resonates deeply with the festival’s ethos.
Gračević further elaborated on the festival’s enduring appeal, highlighting its three-decade-long journey in cultivating a discerning audience. "Over more than three decades, the Sarajevo Film Festival has earned the trust of an audience willing to embrace films it might never have chosen on its own. This is an audience that does not come to the cinema seeking confirmation of its own taste, but for the excitement of discovering a different perspective on the world," she affirmed. This philosophy of discovery and openness to diverse narratives is central to the festival’s identity. "It is for this audience that we selected this year’s programs. They reflect the vitality and diversity of contemporary Southeast European cinema. Each film speaks in its own distinct cinematic voice, yet they all share a search for a different perspective on reality." This statement not only sets the stage for the thematic richness of the selected films but also reinforces the festival’s critical mission to elevate and celebrate the unique cinematic voices of the region.
Distinguished Jury and Honorary Accolades
The festival’s prestige is further amplified by its esteemed jury, comprising a confluence of celebrated industry professionals. British star Emily Watson leads a panel that includes Matthijs Wouter Knol, the director of the European Film Academy, and Athina Rachel Tsangari, an acclaimed producer known for her collaborations with Yorgos Lanthimos. Their collective expertise and discerning eye will undoubtedly contribute to a rigorous and insightful evaluation of the competing films, ultimately deciding the recipients of the coveted Heart of Sarajevo Awards.
In a tribute to their profound contributions to cinema, Emily Watson will also be honored with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo. She will share this distinguished accolade with the internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, whose body of work has garnered critical acclaim and global recognition, including multiple Academy Awards. These honorary awards celebrate careers marked by artistic excellence, profound storytelling, and an enduring impact on the global cinematic landscape, further elevating the festival’s standing as a platform for recognizing outstanding talent.
A Legacy Born from Resilience: The Sarajevo Film Festival’s Enduring Impact
Founded in 1995 during the brutal siege of Sarajevo, the festival emerged as an act of cultural defiance and a symbol of resilience. What began as a small, local initiative providing solace and escape amidst the horrors of war has blossomed into one of the most significant and influential film festivals in Southeast Europe. Its origins are deeply intertwined with the city’s history, imbuing it with a unique spirit of perseverance and a profound commitment to human connection through art.
Over the past 32 years, the Sarajevo Film Festival has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the cultural landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina and fostering a vibrant regional film industry. It has consistently served as a launching pad for new talents, providing a crucial platform for filmmakers from the Balkans and neighboring countries to present their work to an international audience, secure distribution, and forge vital industry connections. The festival’s emphasis on "Southeast European cinema" is not merely geographic; it represents a dedicated effort to spotlight narratives, perspectives, and artistic styles that might otherwise struggle for visibility on the global stage. This focus has helped to define and promote a distinct cinematic identity for the region, contributing significantly to its cultural export and soft power.
The festival’s growth reflects its strategic importance. Each year, it draws thousands of filmmakers, industry professionals, journalists, and cinephiles to Sarajevo, transforming the city into a bustling hub of cultural exchange and economic activity. Beyond the screenings, the festival hosts a robust industry platform, CineLink Industry Days, which includes co-production markets, project development workshops, and pitching forums. These initiatives are instrumental in supporting the creation of new films, fostering collaborations, and strengthening the overall infrastructure of the regional film industry. The 1,215 films viewed by the selection team underscore not only the festival’s global reach in terms of submissions but also its rigorous curatorial process designed to identify and champion films that resonate with its core values of diversity, originality, and a search for different perspectives on reality.
The 32nd Edition: Dates and Anticipation
The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival is scheduled to run from August 14th to August 21st, promising a week-long immersion in cutting-edge cinema. As the dates draw near, anticipation builds for what promises to be an extraordinary celebration of film, dialogue, and cultural discovery. The festival’s ability to "return films to public life" is particularly poignant in an era dominated by streaming platforms, underscoring the irreplaceable value of shared cinematic experiences within a communal setting. The diverse lineup, coupled with the insights from industry leaders and the recognition of cinematic legends, solidifies the Sarajevo Film Festival’s standing as a crucial event on the international film calendar. It continues to be a vital artery for the circulation of ideas, narratives, and artistic expressions, particularly from a region often underrepresented in mainstream global cinema.
The full lineup of films competing for the Heart of Sarajevo Awards is detailed below, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of stories that will unfold in August.
Competition Program – Narrative Feature Film
This category highlights compelling narratives and directorial visions from established and emerging talents.
- Everything That’s Wrong With You, Urša Menart
- Small Things, Zvonimir Jurić
- Skateboarding Is Not For Girls, Dina Duma
- 17, Kosara Mitić
- Dua, Blerta Basholli
- Everytime, Sandra Wollner
- Shame and Money, Visar Morina
- Supporting Role, Ana Urushadze
- You Don’t Belong Here, Florin Şerban
Competition Programme – Documentary Feature
Exploring diverse realities and pressing issues, these feature-length documentaries offer profound insights.
- Bear With Me, Martin Genovski
- Good People, Milcho Manchevski
- The Balkan Boy, Dragana Jurišić
- The Forbidden Aunt, Bojana Novaković
- We Shall Live Together, Damir Markovina
- Don’t Ask Me If I Killed, Helena Maksyom
- Fragments of Belonging, Tatjana Božić
- When I Get Out, Metod Pevec
- 32 Meters, Morteza Atabaki
- Bugboy, Lucas Paleocrassas
- Electing Ms Santa, Raisa Răzmeriţă
- For Life, Ahmet Seven
- To Hold a Mountain, Biljana Tutorov, Petar Glomazić
Competition Programme – Documentary Shorts
Concise yet impactful, these short documentaries capture moments and narratives with precision.
- Bro Ram, Branko Schmidt
- Fahrudin, Alen Drljević
- Of Light Ghosts, Isabella Fellinger
- The Captain and the Caspian Sea, Turkan Huseyin
- Dear Orchid, Hana Selena Sokolović
- Asparagus Bear, Ivan Grgur
- Holy Defiance, Karla Jelić
- The Ferry Flows, Zhora Papoian
Out of Competition
Presented for its unique artistic merit outside the competitive categories.
- Yugo Goes to America, Filip Grujić, Aleksa Borković
Competition Programme – Narrative Short Film
Showcasing innovative storytelling in the short film format, often a breeding ground for future feature directors.
- Ditch, Marianna Vas
- Hidden In Frame, Anna Sarukhanova
- Mamama, Danica Dakić
- Patch, Luka Galešić
- Porkatal, Sis Gürdal
- Adgwa-Ata, Zsuzsanna Krief
- Cosmonauts, Leo Černic
- Go Outside and Hug a Tree, Irina Alexiu
- Motherhood, Anca Damian
- Nobody Said Anything, Tamara Todorović
Competition Programme – Student Short Film
A vital category supporting the next generation of filmmakers, highlighting fresh perspectives and emerging talents from film schools.
- Hyena, Fanny Rösch
- Neighbour, Dan Grabnar
- Sisters, Sara Ećimović
- The Go-Between, Emir Solaković
- Unwellness, Réka Pinczés
- Water Falls, Bianka Szelestey
- The Future Is In Your Hands, But Why Not Lend It to the Specialists?, Alexandra Schinteie
- A. Wants Out (On Neutrality), Zorah Berghammer
- Bonefuzz, Márk László
- Over the Threshold, Tara Gajović
- Rabbit Don’t Run, Maximilian Conway, Elisabeth Jakob
This comprehensive selection reflects the Sarajevo Film Festival’s unwavering dedication to presenting a rich tapestry of contemporary cinema, fostering critical dialogue, and solidifying its position as a cultural cornerstone for Southeast Europe and beyond.
