As a seasoned cinephile with decades under my belt, I’ve had the privilege to attend some remarkable film festivals around the world. However, none have left quite the indelible mark that Sarajevo Film Festival has on me. Thirty years strong and still going strong, this festival is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of cinema.
At a prestigious film festival deeply connected with its city, like the Sarajevo Film Festival, it would be understandable if they decided to celebrate their 30th edition by reminiscing about the past – perhaps pondering on how it emerged amidst the four-year siege that heavily impacted Bosnia’s capital in the early ’90s.
Instead, the organizers plan to implement significant modifications that will change the atmosphere and appearance of the event in the future. The core festivities are being relocated from their traditional site within Sarajevo’s ancient district to a more contemporary area of the city.
Festival director Jovan Marjanović, who began his journey with the Sarajevo fest 20 years ago as a young high-school graduate, shares with EbMaster that this year’s celebration will undoubtedly honor its history. However, he emphasizes that festival management is deeply committed to shaping the future, stating: “I believe we are charting a path for the next 25, 30 years.”
In previous summers, the center of activity during the mid-year festival was primarily on a bustling street bordering Sarajevo’s Turkish Quarter, stretching from the National Theater and Bosnian Cultural Center to the historic Hotel Europe. This year, however, the focus will move to downtown’s Hotel Holiday and the neighboring Cineplexx Cinemas, an eight-screen cinema complex constructed in 2021. Directly opposite, a brand new open-air cinema will be utilized as a screening venue, while the Festival Garden, a new addition this year, will host the opening event and serve as the festival’s central hub from August 16 to 23.
As a supporter, I’m sharing an exciting transformation taking place. Instead of the historical Hotel Europe being the centerstage for the CineLink industry program, it’s now the contemporary Swissotel downtown, with its sleek glass-and-steel structure, that will take the spotlight. This change signifies a significant evolution in the festival’s connection with Sarajevo. As Marjanović puts it, we’re not just finding new locations; we’re integrating the festival into these areas, revitalizing them for cultural and entertainment purposes. It’s about breathing new life into our city!
The modifications underscore the Sarajevo Film Festival’s commitment to delivering top-tier cinema and television content to our viewers by adapting to current trends. As Marjanović explains, “It’s crucial to constantly innovate and stay one step ahead, or adjust to whatever is required.” He emphasizes this with examples like the introduction of a highly successful TV section in 2016. “This is what we’ve gathered from our experiences, and I believe we will continue enhancing our diverse offerings to meet this goal.”
The festival commences on August 16, kickstarting with the world debut of “My Late Summer,” the newest creation by Academy Award-winning Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanović (“No Man’s Land”). This director previously launched the festival in 2021 with “Not So Friendly Neighborhood Affair.” The movie is marketed as a blend of comedy and drama, centering around a young woman who journeys to a secluded island to manage family inheritance. However, she unexpectedly embarks on a personal journey to discover her identity while grappling with questions from her past. In 2014, Tanović was bestowed the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award for his exceptional work in cinema and dedication to his home festival.
At this year’s festival, a total of 54 films will vie for Heart of Sarajevo Awards across four competition categories: feature, documentary, short, and student films. This lineup includes 19 world premieres, 9 international premieres, 3 European premieres, 21 regional premieres, and 3 national premieres. Among the world premieres is “Dwelling Among the Gods,” a new feature by Serbian director Vuk Ršumović, who previously won acclaim for his Venice Critics’ Week winner “No One’s Child” (2014). Additionally, Mirjana Karanović’s “Mother Mara” will also make its world premiere. This film is a follow-up to Karanović’s directorial debut, “A Good Wife,” which first screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. However, both “Dwelling Among the Gods” and “Mother Mara” will be shown out of competition with a Gala Screening.
8 movies are set to compete for the main awards in the feature film category, among them are:
As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the 30th edition of this event is shaping up to be a dazzling spectacle, marking a triumphant comeback after last year’s Hollywood strikes disrupted the attendance of many illustrious figures on the red carpet outside Sarajevo’s legendary National Theater. This year, we have the honor to welcome two-time Academy Award winner Alexander Payne, who will grace us with an Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award during the festival’s opening night. Not only that, but he will also conduct a masterclass and introduce a screening of his 2004 adapted screenplay Oscar winner, “Sideways.” I can hardly wait!
icons John Turturro and Meg Ryan, who are recognized for their remarkable careers, will receive lifetime achievement awards. They will present highlights from their illustrious film journeys, with Ryan engaging in a discussion with Academy Award winner Tanović. “American Fiction” director Cord Jefferson is scheduled to lead a workshop. Additionally, Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman, renowned for his work including “It Must Be Heaven”, will be celebrated for his significant contributions to cinema. A showcase of his selected movies will be presented as a tribute.
Enhancing the glamour is a jury for the feature film competition, led by Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director Paul Schrader (“First Reformed”), who received the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award in 2022. Accompanying him are Swedish actress and producer Noomi Rapace (“Lamb”), Finnish director and writer Juho Kuosmanen (“Compartment No. 6”), Sarajevo-born, Paris-based director, writer, and editor Una Gunjak (“Excursion”) and Slovenian actor Sebastian Cavazza (“Men Don’t Cry”).
As we approach the start of this current year’s season, Marjanovic anticipates another remarkable year for Sarajevo. “The previous year set a new high, and this one looks set to surpass it,” he predicts.
For over three decades, this festival has maintained its reputation as a significant nurturer of local talent, infused with a touch of star-studded elegance – a destination to uncover fresh talents and reminisce about beloved classics. This has been its mission from the start.
“Marjanović remarks, ‘This annual festival, shining its bright light on our city for three decades, is truly astonishing!’ It stirs an immense sense of pride among the locals and the nation as a whole. It’s heartwarming to witness this outpouring of love. It serves as a powerful motivator for us all.”
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2024-08-14 09:47