Sarajevo will host the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival from 14 to 21 August, welcoming filmmakers, actors and industry professionals from around the world for eight days of film premieres, industry events and networking.
The festival will open on 14 August with Fatherland (Očevina), the latest film by Oscar-winning Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski, who will personally present the film to the Sarajevo audience. The screening marks the conclusion of Pawlikowski’s Cold War trilogy.
Fatherland had its world premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where Pawlikowski received the Best Director Award, further cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s leading contemporary filmmakers.
This year’s festival will also honour British actress Emily Watson with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo, recognising her outstanding contribution to cinema. Watson will also serve as President of the Feature Film Competition Jury, returning to Sarajevo twenty years after her last visit.
“Twenty years after her last visit to Sarajevo, we are genuinely delighted to welcome Emily Watson back to the Festival,” said Sarajevo Film Festival Director Jovan Marjanović.
The festival will also introduce a new award this year. Established in partnership with Cineplexx, one of Southeast Europe’s leading cinema chains, the Prix Cineplexx will recognise the audience’s favourite film from the Open Air Premiere programme.
Worth €20,000, the prize includes €15,000 in marketing support for the winning film’s theatrical release across the Cineplexx cinema network, while the remaining €5,000 will be awarded directly to the film’s producer. Organisers say the initiative is designed to strengthen the connection between festival recognition and commercial cinema success.
Beyond its screenings, the Sarajevo Film Festival remains the most influential film industry gathering in Southeast Europe. Alongside its competition programmes for feature, documentary, short and student films, the festival will once again host CineLink Industry Days and Talents Sarajevo, bringing together filmmakers, producers, distributors and emerging industry professionals from across the region and beyond.
The official competition programme, the remaining jury members and additional festival guests are expected to be announced later this month.
