In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of film, director, screenwriter and producer Alexander Payne will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival.

“It feels fitting to award Alexander Payne with Honorary Heart of Sarajevo, not only because he loves Sarajevo, but also because in the centre of all his stories are people with the big heart. As a director who possesses a remarkable ability to blend humor and poignancy, he has made an indelible mark on contemporary cinema. His insightful storytelling and keen eye for human emotions continue to inspire filmmakers around the world,” says Jovan Marjanović, director of Sarajevo Film Festival.

The grandson of Greek immigrants, Alexander Payne grew up in Nebraska, USA. He studied History and Spanish Literature at Stanford University before earning an Master’s Degree in Film Directing at UCLA. His eight feature films have been nominated for a total of 24 Oscars, including four times for Best Picture and three times for Best Director. He has won twice for Best Adapted Screenplay, and his latest, The Holdovers, won Best Supporting Actress just this year.

„Most importantly, I have presented two films previously at the Sarajevo Film Festival, and I’m delighted and honored to return“, emphasized Payne, whose filmography includes acclaimed films Citizen Ruth (1996), Election (1999), About Schimdt (2002), Sideways (2004), The Descendants (2011), Nebraska (2013), Downsizing (2017), and The Holdovers (2023).

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.

At the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival, Payne will also hold a masterclass, a unique opportunity for the film enthusiasts to learn from him about film production, directing, screenwriting, and other key aspects of his career. In addition, he will present a special screening of his 2004 dramedy Sideways. The film received critical acclaim, garnering five Academy Award nominations and winning the one for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Payne's longtime collaborator Jim Taylor will join him in Sarajevo.

The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award has been established in 2005 with the aim to give a recognition to individuals for their outstanding contribution to the affirmation and development of the film industry and the support and development of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Previous Recipients of the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award include:

Mark Cousins (2023), Lynne Ramsay (2023), Charlie Kaufman (2023), Jesse Eisenberg (2022), Ruben Östlund (2022), Sergei Loznitsa (2022), Paul Joseph Schrader (2022), Wim Wenders (2021), Michel Franco (2020), Mads Mikkelsen (2020), Tim Roth (2019), Isabelle Huppert (2019), Alejandro González Iñárritu (2019), Paweł Pawlikowski (2019), Nijaz Hastor (2018), Nuri Bilge Ceylan (2018), Oliver Stone (2017), John Cleese (2017), Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart (2016), Stephen Frears (2016), Robert De Niro (Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016), Benicio Del Toro (2015), Atom Egoyan (2015), Agnès B. (2015), Danis Tanović (2014), Gael García Bernal (2014), Béla Tarr (2013), Roberto Olla (2013), Branko Lustig (2012), Emil Tedeschi (2011), Jafar Panahi (2011), Angelina Jolie (2011), Dieter Kosslick (2010), Manfred Schmidt (2009), Cat Villiers (2008), Steve Buscemi (2007), Mike Leigh (2006), Gavrilo Grahovac (2006), Marco Müller (2005).

The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival will take place from August 16 to 23, 2024.