Italy reaffirms its prominent role at the 31st edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival, taking place from 15 to 22 August in Sarajevo.
Among the most highly anticipated international guests is Paolo Sorrentino, who arrived in Sarajevo just days ahead of the opening of the Venice Film Festival, where his latest work is set to compete. The acclaimed director was awarded the prestigious Honorary Heart of Sarajevo, a recognition given to leading figures in international cinema for their contribution to the art of filmmaking. During the award ceremony, Festival Director Jovan Marjanović highlighted Sorrentino’s unique ability to “create global impact through local and personal stories”, enriched by a refined and profoundly human visual language. “It is a great honour for me. This is an important award, but above all, this is an important festival for European citizens”, said Sorrentino before a large and enthusiastic audience. In his honour, the Festival organised a complete retrospective of his filmography as part of the “Tribute to” programme, alongside a Masterclass in which the director engaged with the public on themes such as cinema, art, and its impact on reality.
A number of Italian co-productions also feature in the festival’s line-up. Among them is Dom by Massimiliano Battistella, which is set to premiere at Venice’s Giornate degli Autori and will be screened at the Sarajevo Film Festival on Friday 22 August.
Italy also has its own dedicated space within the official programme, entitled “Passaggi d’autore” (“Author’s Passages”), curated by director Ado Hasanovic and linked to the Mediterranean Short Film Festival of Sant’Antioco. The showcase was conceived to highlight the most significant narrative and directorial paths in contemporary Italian short films. This year, it also features an increased female presence, with five of the six shorts directed by women.
Italy has further supported, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the organisation of a roundtable hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Sarajevo Film Festival. The event focused on amplifying the voices of the diaspora and their contribution to local social and cultural development. Part of the Talents Sarajevo programme, the discussion featured Bosnian-Swedish director Goran Kapetanović and producer Lejla Bešić, who shared how their experiences abroad have shaped their creativity and artistic output.
“We are proud of the presence of the renowned director Paolo Sorrentino at this year’s SFF, one of the most esteemed representatives of Italian cinema of all time”, stated the Italian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Castellani. “His participation perfectly embodies the bridge between history— that of a festival born in the midst of conflict as a symbol of resilience and cultural resistance— and the future, represented by the unifying power of culture and cinema as tools for dialogue and cohesion.”
