The Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), the premier movie event for a region extending from Vienna to Istanbul, announced on Monday that it will honor Hollywood stars Meg Ryan, John Turturro, and Alexander Payne for their significant contributions to the art of cinema. Additionally, Palestinian director Elia Suleiman will be recognized with the prestigious Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award.
During the festival’s 30th edition, which will take place from August 16-23, the award recipients will attend screenings of their most celebrated works, present their latest productions, and conduct masterclasses. This year’s festival will showcase a total of 240 films, reflecting a rich tapestry of cinematic talent and storytelling.
The SFF was established towards the end of the Bosnian war of 1992-1995 by a dedicated group of movie enthusiasts and has grown with the support of industry figures worldwide. SFF Director Jovan Marjanovic expressed the festival’s honor in hosting such distinguished guests, emphasizing the enduring connections and growth opportunities this brings to young filmmakers in the region.
“It is a great privilege to bring such industry figures to Sarajevo and connect them with young people from the region,” Marjanovic said. “These are the ties that last and we see the people returning, enabling the festival to grow and develop.”
The festival will kick off with the world premiere of “My Late Summer” by Bosnian Oscar-winning director Danis Tanovic. One of the festival’s highlights will be Meg Ryan’s special screening of her 1998 hit romantic comedy “You’ve Got Mail” at the open-air cinema, which can accommodate 2,000 viewers. Ryan will also showcase her latest directorial work, “What Happens Later,” in which she stars.
Fifty-four films from southeastern Europe, Ukraine, and the southern Caucasus will compete for the Heart of Sarajevo award in four categories: features, short films, documentaries, and student films. This includes 19 world premieres, reflecting the festival’s role in promoting regional cinema on an international stage.
“What unites all these countries is that they are actually the periphery, both geopolitically and culturally,” Marjanovic stated. “So the Sarajevo Film Festival has positioned itself as the center of all these cinematographies, their window to the world to some extent, a platform for their mutual cooperation and the cooperation with the rest of the world.”
The SFF continues to be a beacon for cinematic expression, fostering collaboration and cultural exchange in a region rich with diverse narratives and talent.
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