Serbia receives awards and boycotts at event in Sarajevo
The Sarajevo Film Festival concluded with an awards ceremony on August 22, where Serbia was prominently featured in discussions about protests and films. Director Stefan Đorđević was celebrated as he was honored with the Heart of Sarajevo award for the best feature film, “Winds, Talk to Me.” In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the accolade to all mothers, especially those who courageously protect their children during troubling times. Another award recipient, director Adem Tutić, emphasized solidarity with Serbian protestors as he received recognition for his student film, “Tarik.”
In addition to the recognition of Serbian filmmakers, actor Andrija Kuzmanović and director Ivana Mladenović were acknowledged for their contributions to acting and direction, respectively. The festival commenced on August 15 with the premiere of a film from Bosnia and Herzegovina directed by Dino Mustafić. Over the course of the event, 227 films and series from 65 countries were showcased across 22 unique program selections, with a special focus on competition categories like feature, documentary, short, and student films.
The competitive aspect of the festival featured 50 films vying for the prestigious Heart of Sarajevo award, with nine productions competing in the feature film category. The festival also paid tribute to renowned figures in cinema, such as Paolo Sorrentino, honoring their contributions to the art form. Notable celebrities like Stellan Skarsgård, Ray Winstone, and Willem Dafoe were recipients of the esteemed “Honorable Heart of Sarajevo” award, recognizing their exceptional impact on film culture.
The festival programs were overseen by an international jury consisting of distinguished filmmakers, who assessed various film categories, including feature, documentary, short, and student films. Through a series of accompanying programs, the festival welcomed numerous global and regional filmmakers, cultivating an environment for retrospectives, special screenings, and Masterclasses.
Since its inception in 1995, the Sarajevo Film Festival has symbolized cultural resilience and served as a vital intersection between Eastern and Western cinema landscapes. As a champion of regional talent, the festival has evolved into a premier platform for Southeast European filmmaking, establishing itself as a significant event in the global festival circuit.