Screen Daily wrote that an independent report commissioned by the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) last year to analyse the event’s impact in the Bosnian capital has revealed that the festival generated an estimated BAM 10.3 million (around EUR 5 million) in total output in 2017.

The study was made by the Olsberg SPI consultancy company which analysed the festival’s presence through social, cultural and economic lenses. They conducted numerous confidential consultations during Sarajevo’s 2017 edition, with more than 1,000 responses from attending audience and industry.  

The study found that the festival generates “significant economic impacts for the city of Sarajevo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

This included BAM 4.49 million (around EUR 2.2 million) of direct output from the festival, which generated BAM 508,531 (around EUR 250,000) in gross added value for the city and supported 28 full-time employees, and 250 part-time workers.   The festival’s also attracted “around 10,000 foreign visitors” to Sarajevo for the event, collectively spending an estimated BAM 51.6 million (around EUR 25 million).  

Sarajevo became a key destination for the international film industry with its industry programme, CineLink, hosting a respected annual co-production market, featuring a work-in-progress showcase and a series focus among its events. A total of 1,100 delegates attended the CineLink in 2017.  

The report also said that “much of this tourism is driven by the publication of the Festival in the international media; in 2017, this amounted to 398 total pieces of content.” 

The report estimated that for every BAM 1 (around EUR 0.50) of public funds invested in the Festival, it generates BAM 2.11 (around EUR 1) of total taxation.    

“The SFF is a critical driver of Sarajevo’s tourism. The economic figures demonstrate its tourism impact, combined with the Festival itself, generate an atmosphere within the city which is not replicated at any other time of year,” the report states.

The report’s key recommendation for the event’s future is to increase the festival’s presence in East Sarajevo, the Republika Srpska entity, which it says would create a larger impact “in terms of cultural politics.” 

(EUR 1 = BAM 1.95583)