Philippe Bober, the visionary founder of Coproduction Office and a producer of some of the most groundbreaking films in contemporary cinema, will be awarded the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival. This award recognizes Bober's significant contributions to the film industry and his role in shaping modern cinema through his collaborations with some of the world's most innovative auteurs.

With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Bober has produced forty-two films to date, with thirteen of them in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

His work includes producing two Palme d'Or winners: Triangle of Sadness (2022) and The Square (2017), both directed by Ruben Östlund.

“The auteurs I work with have the most personal, original ideas and working methods. As a producer I support them pushing the borders of cinematic language, while engaging audiences”, said Bober, reflecting on his career and body of work.

Throughout his career, Bober has cultivated enduring relationships with esteemed filmmakers such as Roy Andersson, Michelangelo Frammartino, Jessica Hausner, Ilya Khrzhanovskiy, Ruben Östlund, Carlos Reygadas, and Ulrich Seidl, whose films have garnered major awards at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. His contributions to the Sarajevo Film Festival have been invaluable, as he has consistently championed projects that align with the festival’s mission to celebrate bold, creative voices in cinema.

“Philippe Bober’s work has had a profound impact on the film industry. His ability to recognize and nurture unique talent has given rise to some of the most influential films of our time. We are delighted to present him with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo, recognizing not only his remarkable career but also his enduring contribution to the art of cinema and to the Sarajevo Film Festival,” said Mirsad Purivatra, President of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Bober has been a friend of the Sarajevo Film Festival for more than two decades. During that time, he has been a festival programmer, jury member, producer of the films shown at the festival and one of the first supporters of CineLink.

The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award was established in 2005 to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to the affirmation and development of the film industry, as well as their support and development of the Sarajevo Film Festival.