Woody Harrelson receives Honorary Heart of Sarajevo at Film Festival

Festival Director Jovan Marjanovic presented the award to the actor ahead of a screening of Michael Winterbottom's 1997 drama Welcome to Sarajevo, a feature that originally premiered at Cannes and screened at the third edition of the festival. Harrelson stars in a leading role in the film.

Addressing the open-air audience, Harrelson admitted the reception and the honor exceeded his expectations. He offered specific greetings to Marjanovic, his former co-star Goran Visnjic, and Amir Nusevic, who was eleven years old during the production of the film.

Recalling his initial visit to the region, Harrelson reflected on the post-war landscape. Arriving shortly after the conflict, the scale of destruction was unimaginable, the actor told the crowd, before sharing a local dark humor anecdote about the post-war years.

Declaring that the Heart of Sarajevo stands as his most valued career prize, Harrelson praised the resilience and warmth of the local population. The award will serve as a permanent reminder of the courage and passion found in the city, he added, noting that the human kindness shown by residents despite immense hardship had profoundly moved him.

Welcome to Sarajevo explores the conflict of the mid-1990s and examines the dangerous realities faced by journalists covering the front lines, drawing inspiration from reporter Michael Nicholson's book Natasha’s Story.

Introducing the guest of honour before the screening, Marjanovic commended Harrelson for maintaining a rare cinematic authenticity that bridges extraordinary performances with everyday relatability. That effortless screen presence represents one of the hardest disciplines in acting, Marjanovic stated, praising the actor's enduring talent, charisma, and boldness as an inspiration for upcoming generations.