The world premiere of the film 'Focus, grandma' by Bosnian filmmaker Pjer Zalica will open the 26th Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), the festival management announced on Friday, a month before the event's official kick-off.

The film cast includes some of the greatest names of Bosnian cinematography such as Jasna Zalica, Emir Hadzihafizbegovic, Alma Prica, Jadranka Djokic, Vedrana Bozinovic, Admir Glamocak, Dzenita Imamovic, Bane Popovic, Izudin Bajrovic, Dino Sarija and Mira Banjac.

This is Pjer Zalica's third feature fiction film – after the films ‘Fuse’ and ‘Days and Hours’.

”This is the third time that my film opens the Sarajevo Film Festival. With the experience I have, it should be routine for me. But it is not. The stage fright is the same as the first time, because the Sarajevo Film Festival is one of the best and most important film events, so it is a great responsibility, but a huge honour at the same time. I hope we made a film that is on par with the size of the event,” says Bosnian prominent filmmaker.

The 26th Sarajevo Film Festival will be held as planned – from 14 to 21 August – on-site as well as online, in accordance with the situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival management said earlier.

“We are fully aware of the responsibility we have as the organizer of such an event,” said SFF general manager, Mirsad Purivatra. “Covid-19 has affected all aspects of life worldwide, and the Sarajevo Film Festival has thus been required to go through a transformation as well. That means smaller groups, fewer guests, no receptions and parties as we know it, but as always, lots of high-quality films, great screenings and film talks.”