31st Sarajevo Film Festival: BiH's capital shines as global film hub, spotlighting art, culture, and regional cinema (PHOTO)

The city is alive with energy, its streets filled with international visitors, as the Sarajevo Film Festival once again transforms the capital into a meeting place for culture, art, and light.

Sarajevo Mayor Samir Avdic told N1 that he is impressed by the atmosphere and the warm welcome offered by local residents.

“It’s important that everything is beautiful and representative because, as the leader of the most beautiful city in the world, you have to ensure everyone feels comfortable, as has always been the case in Sarajevo. Last night, guests—including mayors from Vukovar, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, and Friedrichshafen—were delighted by the reception, the ease of conversation, and everything they experienced in our city. That is Sarajevo. Our citizens are the true representatives. I thank them for the immense hospitality and the warmth with which they welcome our guests,” Avdic said.

Speaking about the challenges facing the domestic film industry, he added, “This is something that pains us all.”

Bosnian director Aida Begic expressed her happiness that Sarajevo, thanks to the festival, has once again become a regional and European center of cinema. She stressed that the Sarajevo Film Festival has long grown beyond its local roots to become a much broader and more significant cultural event.

“SFF is a crucial moment when people—not just from the film community, but from many different fields—turn their attention to our city. For all Sarajevans, this is arguably the most important week of the year for culture and art. For us filmmakers, the festival is extremely significant, as it is a moment when more attention is focused on domestic cinema, which requires much greater support in the country’s cultural policy. Film and series production is under threat, and if this does not change, it will also impact the importance of the festival itself. Imagine the Sarajevo Film Festival without a single domestic film or series,” Begic said.

This year, Begic is serving on the jury for CineLink Female Voices, a section of the festival dedicated to projects developed by female directors or producers.

“I am honored to hold this position, as the award focuses on projects led by women. It’s crucial to amplify female voices in cinema. Festival week is always a busy time for me—I am preparing my new film, Air in a Bottle, which is in development, and the festival is an excellent opportunity for meetings regarding my film. Air in a Bottle tells the story of a woman who is exceptionally charismatic, optimistic, and noble, but has one problem—she is addicted to gambling,” Begic added.

Since its founding in 1995, the Sarajevo Film Festival has grown into a globally recognized brand. This year, through hundreds of screenings and special events, the festival will continue to promote film as an art form and showcase Sarajevo as an open and vibrant cultural capital.