Sarajevo Film Festival Honors Hollywood Icons Meg Ryan and John Turturro
The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), running from August 16-23 in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will pay tribute to Hollywood stars Meg Ryan, John Turturro, and director Alexander Payne for their remarkable contributions to the art of cinema.
In addition, the festival organizers announced that the prestigious Sarajevo Honorary Heart Award will be presented to Palestinian director Elia Suleiman. The honored artists will showcase films they have starred in, present their latest works, and conduct masterclasses during this milestone edition of the festival.
Founded in 1995 by a group of passionate cinephiles, SFF has since garnered support from influential figures in the global film industry. SFF Director Jovan Marjanovic expressed that it is a “great honor” to bring these distinguished artists to Sarajevo and connect them with the region’s young talents.
The festival will open on August 16 with the world premiere of “My Late Summer,” directed by Bosnian Oscar-winner Danis Tanovic. Meg Ryan will present her beloved 1998 romantic comedy, “You’ve Got Mail,” in an outdoor screening that can accommodate 2,000 viewers. She will also debut her latest directorial work, “What Happens Later,” in which she stars.
A total of 54 films from Southeast Europe, Ukraine, and the South Caucasus will compete across four categories: feature film, short film, documentary, and student film.
“Sarajevo Film Festival positions itself as the hub for these cinematic traditions, serving as a window to the world and a platform for mutual collaboration, as well as partnerships with the rest of the world,” Jovan Marjanovic told Reuters.
SFF Director Jovan Marjanovic said it was a great privilege to be able to bring such industry figures to Sarajevo and connect them with young people from the region. These are the ties that last and we see the people returning, enabling the festival to grow and develop.
