Alexander Payne, director, screenwriter and producer, was awarded with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo of the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival at the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of film.

“Thank you all for coming to watch a 20-year-old movie, I'm really flattered and feel special to see the audience that came to watch an old movie. This screening brings back wonderful memories of when I was in Sarajevo for the first time, nineteen years ago. The Heart of Sarajevo is an appropriate symbol, I know it will sound like a cliché, but it's true. I think that everyone who visits Sarajevo takes peace in their heart. I know I got it. When people ask me about the Sarajevo Film Festival, I say, you see, it's not Cannes, it's not Venice, it's not Berlin, thank God. Because it is a Film Festival that comes from the heart, it started during the war. I remember when I was walking through the streets of Sarajevo with Miro Purivatra, he told me about the days when the Festival started and the difficult times. This is a festival full of heart and love, and to see it reach its 30th edition is truly magnificent. Thank you for making me feel like all your guests, like part of the family,” said Alexander Payne.

The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo was presented to Payne by Jovan Marjanović, the director of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

After the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo was presented, the film SIDEWAYS by Alexander Payne was screened as part of the Open Air Programme of the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival. The roles were portrayed by Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh, Marylouise Burke i Jessica Hecht.

Payne's first encounter with Sarajevo was in 2005, when he personally presented his films in the “Tribute to” programme at the 11th Sarajevo Film Festival.

Payne was joined on stage at the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema by longtime collaborator Jim Taylor.