Sarajevo Film Fest Unveils 51 Films in Competition, Including Sandra Wollner’s ‘Everytime’
The Sarajevo Film Festival has announced 51 films competing for its Heart of Sarajevo Awards, with the lineup spanning narrative features, documentary features and shorts, narrative shorts and student shorts. The announcement matters as a marker of the strength and diversity of contemporary Southeast European cinema, with the festival's creative director framing the event as one that returns films to public life rather than simply making them accessible. The selection includes Sandra Wollner's "Everytime" among the narrative features vying for top honours.
Of the 51 selected films, 21 will have their world premiere at the festival, while one title will screen out of competition; organisers reviewed 1,215 submissions to reach the final lineup. The festival's jury includes European Film Academy director Matthijs Wouter Knol and producer Athina Rachel Tsangari, alongside British actress Emily Watson, who will also receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo along with Iranian director Asghar Farhadi. The 32nd edition of the festival runs from 14 to 21 August.
In short
- Sarajevo Film Festival names 51 films for its Heart of Sarajevo Awards
- 21 titles will have world premieres; 1,215 films were considered
- Emily Watson and Asghar Farhadi to receive honorary awards; festival runs 14-21 August
Explained simply
The Sarajevo Film Festival is one of Europe's leading cinema events, held each August in Bosnia's capital. It has gained prominence as a major platform for Southeast European filmmaking and for bringing diverse international cinema to wider audiences.
The festival's annual competition attracts filmmakers worldwide and draws prominent figures from the international film industry as jurors and special honourees. This year's edition will award special recognition to British actress Emily Watson and Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, highlighting the festival's role in celebrating global filmmaking talent.
The festival's selections and awards receive significant media attention and help shape conversations about which films and filmmakers matter in contemporary cinema. By championing a diverse range of films and honouring distinguished artists, the event influences industry discussions and audiences' choices about what to watch.
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