Bosnia and Herzegovina is a cultural crossroads where East meets West, and its vibrant events calendar reflects a mosaic of influences and enduring resilience. The Sarajevo Film Festival stands as the region’s most prestigious cinematic gathering, drawing filmmakers and cinephiles from around the world for a week of premieres, panels, and red-carpet glamour. In Mostar, the Mostar Summer Fest combines live music, art, and the stunning backdrop of the iconic Old Bridge to celebrate contemporary creativity in a historic setting.
Nature and tradition also take center stage at events like the Baščaršija Nights in Sarajevo, where the old town fills with traditional music, dance, and performances that celebrate Bosnia’s rich Ottoman heritage. Meanwhile, Jazz Fest Sarajevo brings global and regional jazz artists into intimate venues for nights of boundary-pushing sound. Whether you’re catching an indie film in an open-air cinema or dancing beneath fortress walls, Bosnia’s festivals offer a soulful and stirring immersion into a nation with a story to tell.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a cultural crossroads where East meets West, and its vibrant events calendar reflects a mosaic of influences and enduring resilience. The Sarajevo Film Festival stands as the region’s most prestigious cinematic gathering, drawing filmmakers and cinephiles from around the world for a week of premieres, panels, and red-carpet glamour. In Mostar, the Mostar Summer Fest combines live music, art, and the stunning backdrop of the iconic Old Bridge to celebrate contemporary creativity in a historic setting.
Nature and tradition also take center stage at events like the Baščaršija Nights in Sarajevo, where the old town fills with traditional music, dance, and performances that celebrate Bosnia’s rich Ottoman heritage. Meanwhile, Jazz Fest Sarajevo brings global and regional jazz artists into intimate venues for nights of boundary-pushing sound. Whether you’re catching an indie film in an open-air cinema or dancing beneath fortress walls, Bosnia’s festivals offer a soulful and stirring immersion into a nation with a story to tell.
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Sarajevo Film Festival
16 August 2019 @ 00:00 - 23 August 2019 @ 00:00
While Sarajevo has become known as a city of festivals, the Sarajevo Film Festival is the most notable one.
In 2001 the European Film Association made the Sarajevo Film Festival one of eleven festivals that can nominate a film for the award “Europe’s Best Short Film.” In the same year, the movie “No Man’s Land” winner of the Sarajevo Film Festival won an Oscar. Contrary to most, it has not become famous for its glamorous side with tuxedos and paparazzi but as a festival dedicated to art and the support of regional filmmakers, actors and directors. In 2007 it started as cooperation with the Berlin International Film Festival and the Berlinale Talent Campus to introduce the Sarajevo Talent Campus, an educational platform for young and aspiring film professionals.
In addition to fantastic film content, the program includes Srce Sarajeva (Sarajevo Heart) Awards, critics and filmmakers workshops, and numerous great entertainment events. This is an absolute must to get the taste of some of the world’s best documentaries and southeast Europe’s best filmmakers.
During the festival, Sarajevo shines in lights and the streets are filled with life. It has become a festival not only dear to the domestic audience but for many foreigners too. If you are catching a breaking between excellent movies, just take a walk through the centre of Sarajevo and visit some of the local bars that are open the entire night and where the locals will meet you with warmth.