As a seasoned movie connoisseur with over two decades of attending film festivals under my belt, I can confidently say that Sarajevo Film Festival and its parallel event, CineLink Industry Days, are among the gems of the global film industry. Having had the pleasure of participating in various festivals from Cannes to Sundance, I must admit that Sarajevo offers a unique charm and an intimate atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere.
Over more than two decades, CineLink Industry Days has evolved into the premier film and television industry event in the Balkan region, serving as a nurturing ground for talent from Southeastern Europe, and increasingly, beyond. It’s also a must-visit destination for international industry professionals seeking emerging cinematic talents on their global journeys.
Every August, I look forward to an event that follows closely behind the Locarno Film Festival and leads up to both Venice and Toronto. This special occasion, happening from the 17th to the 22nd this year, has found a perfect niche in the calendar, neither too grand nor insignificant. As the head of industry for this festival in its third year, Maša Marković, aptly describes it as “just the right size.” This festival, located in Sarajevo, somehow manages to exude an atmosphere that makes you feel like it’s the place to be.
Marković attributes the success of the event’s organization strategy for providing a platform where influential filmmakers, distributors, programmers, and other industry leaders can interact with projects they are interested in at the CineLink Co-Production Market, as well as network with invited guests during their stay in Sarajevo. “It’s an opportunity to focus on people and projects that matter to you,” she explains. “This is a key aspect of our approach.”
As someone who has attended numerous film festivals over the years, I can certainly appreciate the allure and excitement that comes with a well-established event like Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF). The festival has built a strong reputation for itself, attracting dedicated fans and industry professionals alike. However, as a frequent traveler, I must admit that I find the move from CineLink’s traditional base at Hotel Europe to the modern Swissotel in downtown Sarajbo an intriguing development.
The action is part of a larger strategy to redesign the layout for the yearly event, which involves building a fresh-air cinema and establishing an outdoor event space called Festival Garden. These locations aim to divert the focus of the festival and related activities from the city’s historic Old Town towards its contemporary counterpart.
Marković explains that the change will provide a fresh atmosphere for international visitors and boost industry exposure by hosting events in Sarajevo’s business district. As we already have our largest cinema there, and are building an open-air cinema as well, it seemed like a natural progression to claim this area as ours and bring the industry to the core of Sarajevo.
2021 also signifies a change as Ishak Jalimam assumes leadership at CineLink, succeeding Amra Bakšić Čamo who oversaw the industry program since its beginning. Čamo is moving on to concentrate on initiating fresh endeavors under the Sarajevo Film Festival’s wing.
Marković characterizes Jalimam, an accomplished industry veteran proficient in both production and management, as “a festival-bred individual…[who] offers a unique viewpoint and invigorating energy to the market.” Leveraging his expertise as a producer and managerial positions at Sarajevo and other festivals, “he has the knack for discerning what’s essential for a producer, along with understanding how the market should respond,” she explains.
In her role as CineLink director, Jalimam is responsible for choosing the projects to be showcased in both the co-production market and the works-in-progress section. This year’s roster boasts several alumni from previous years, such as Philip Sotnychenko, who took home the directing award at last year’s festival for “La Palisiada” and is back with the Ukraine war drama “Times New Roman”; Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova, creators of the Locarno competition film “Cat in the Wall,” showcasing their third fiction feature, “Mather/Papan”; and local talent Aida Begić, renowned for her Cannes Un Certain Regard winner “Children of Sarajevo,” who will present her upcoming feature, “Air in a Bottle.”
The following 13 projects under development have been chosen to participate in the co-production market. Notably, these include works by Alisa Kovalenko, who competed at Sarajevo last year with her Berlinale premiere “We Will Not Fade Away”; Adrian Sitaru, awarded best director at Locarno for “Best Intentions”; Tarik Aktas, recipient of the best emerging director award at Locarno for “Dead Horse Nebula”; Ralitza Petrova, winner of the Golden Leopard for best film at Locarno with “Godless”; Maya Vitkova, who competed at Sundance with “Viktoria”; and Ana Urushadze, who won best first feature at Locarno for “Scary Mother.” (Urushadze’s new work, “Supporting Role,” is depicted above.)
Up for grabs are several awards including:
The CineLink Talks event offers an impressive lineup of workshops, discussions, and debates involving influential figures from both regional and international film industries. These sessions will delve into topics such as the expanding role of artificial intelligence in movie making, the environmental sustainability of the film industry, and strategies for transforming Southeast European intellectual properties into global sensations.
In contrast to other sessions emphasizing the establishment of secure environments and enhancing diversity and accessibility within the worldwide market, Marković underscores that “accountability” serves as the central theme for this year’s gathering. He stresses the importance of initiatives aimed at transforming the industry into a safer and more inviting space for all participants.
As a passionate film enthusiast who has attended numerous international film festivals over the years, I can attest to the fact that some events stand out as truly special. The Sarajevo Film Festival is one of those exceptional gatherings. Having had the privilege of attending this esteemed event several times, I have witnessed firsthand how it fosters a warm and welcoming environment for both newcomers and established talents alike.
“Marković emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between nurturing those who’ve collaborated with us on projects and emerging filmmakers and producers,” says he. “This way, new talents feel encouraged by our support, while we continue to assist established regional filmmakers as well.”
The Sarajevo Film Festival runs Aug. 16 – 23.
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2024-08-16 11:47