 2023 is a magnificent display of contemporary cinema that successfully harnessed artistic expression){kind=link}
In the heart of the Balkans, where the Metropolis of Sarajevo weaves history, culture, and modernity, the largest film festival in Southeast Europe evolves. The Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) 2023 is a magnificent display of contemporary cinema that successfully harnessed artistic expression within the region and globally.
The inception of the SFF can be traced back to 1995 when it was launched amidst the Bosnian War. Against the backdrop of a traumatic conflict, the festival symbolized survival and resistance, fortitude, and unity.
Three decades later, it has metamorphosed into a celebration of creativity, diversity, and dialogue, attracting filmmakers, actors, critics, and audiences from around the world.
To aid in the reconstruction of civil society and preserve the cosmopolitan character of the city, Obala Art Centar established the Sarajevo Film Festival in 1995, toward the conclusion of the city’s four-year siege.
In 2023, SFF bespoke the city’s resilient spirit, offering a platform for homegrown talents and international filmmakers. The programming is comprehensive yet diverse, catering to an array of artistic tastes and broadening access to non-mainstream cinema, often neglected by commercial distributors.
Central to SFF’s success has been its emphasis on regional cinema. The Competition Programme – Feature Film championed cinema from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia.
These films not only entertain but also explore social and political issues prevalent within these societies.
All four of the Sarajevo Film Festival’s competitive programs have released their lineups, which run from August 11th to August 18th . At the 29th Sarajevo Film Festival, 235 films in 18 Festival programs. A total of 49 films will compete for the Heart of Sarajevo awards.
The festival’s four competition sections – feature, documentary, short, and student film – will feature 22 world, two international, 22 regional, and three national premieres.
Four feature film awards—best picture, director, actress, and actor—as well as a total of eleven prizes are up for grabs across the four competition categories. The feature film jury will be led by Mia Wasikowska.
The world premieres of “Europa” by Austrian Iranian director Sudabeh Mortezai, whose previous work including “Joy,” which competed in the 2018 Venice Days and won the London feature Festival, and “Medium,” the follow-up feature from Greek director Christina Ioakeimidi, are also taking place.
Three Asian films will be screened at the Sarajevo Film Festival which will take place from August 11th – 18th, 2023 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two feaure films named “Past Lives” by Celine Song from USA and Korea, “Perfect Days” by Wim Wenders from Japan and a short Films named “Hole” by Hyein Hwang from Korea.
However, the plaudits of the festival extend beyond its cinematic offerings, SFF offered an immersive experience where attendees could savor the compelling history, architecture, and culinary delights of Sarajevo.
The Sarajevo Film Festival 2023 rose above and beyond its initial inception. It is no longer just a symbol of resistance but marks a grand celebration of the power of cinema to unite, inspire and invoke change.
Here are films competing in Sarajevo Film Festival 2023
Feature Film competition
Europa (Austria) dir. Sudabeh Mortezai
Medium (Gr) dir. Christina Ioakeimidi
Freedom (Rom-Hun) dir. Tudor Giurgiu
Animal (Gr-Aus-Rom-Cyp-Bul) dir. Sofia Exarchou
Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry (Geo-Switz) dir. Elene Naveriani
Day Of the Tiger (Rom-Fr-Gr) dir. Andrei Tanase
La Palisiada (Ukr) dir. Philip Sotnychenko
Lost Country (Ser-Fr-Cro-Lux-Qat) dir. Vladimir Perisic
Excursion (Bos/Her) dir. Una Gunjak – out of competition
Guardians Of the Formula (Ser-Slovenia-Mont-N Mac) dir. Dragan Bjelogrlic – out of competition
Rumi (Tur) dir. Can Ulkaj – TV series
Documentary film
A Day, 365 Hours (Tur-Cro) dir. Eylem Kaftan
Body (Slovenia-Cro-N Mac) dir. Petra Seliskar
Bottlemen (Ser-Slovenia) dir. Nemanja Vojinovic
Fairy Garden (Hun-Rom-Cro) dir. Gergo Somogyvari
Requiem To the Hot Days Of Summer (Geo-Gr) dir. Giorgi Parkosadze
Silence Of Reason (Bos/Her-N Mac) dir. Kumjana Novakova
What’s To Be Done? (Cro) dir. Goran Devic
My Muslim Husband (Rom) dirs. Daniel Ioan Barnuti, Alexandra Lizeta Barnuti
De Facto (Austria-Ger) dir. Selma Doborac
Non-Aligned: Scenes from The Labudovic Reels (Ser-Fr-Cro-Mont-Qat) dir. Mila Turajilic
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