HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
The Sarajevo Film Festival Human Rights Award is supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the Embassy of the Netherlands.
Films To Remember
In this year’s selection of eleven feature-length and eight short documentaries in the competition section, as well as two films out of competition, the construction of drama over time is achieved through the creative use of archival material or meticulously crafted multi-year observations.
Three films by female directors from Ukraine observe their homeland today through the perspective of rich family video and photo archives, carefully selected television footage, or by simply following the protagonists of their films over several years and creating their archival material.
In the film A Picture to Remember, the talented Ukrainian debutant Olga Chernykh observes three generations of women, all doctors in her family. The film unveils the microcosm of the author’s family but simultaneously reflects the macrocosm of her homeland. Lesia Diak, in her debut film Dad’s Lullaby, sensually observes the dynamics of a family where the father has returned after years of fighting on the front lines. The entirely archivebased Ukrainian film Fragments of Ice follows a top ice skater during the USSR era as he travels the world and documents life with an amateur camera. The director, Maria Stoianova, his daughter, weaves a story about herself and the harsh reality of today’s Ukraine.
Romanian director Isabela Tent followed a family drama for ten years in the film Alice ON & OFF. The life of an underage art student and a man thirty-five years her senior traces the growing up of their child and the complete collapse of what was a somewhat tolerable family life.
Austrian director Brigitte Weich filmed a successful women’s football team in North Korea fifteen years ago. Now, the same heroines reflect on life today in a country with closed borders, political repression, and propaganda. The film raises interesting questions about image control in dicta-
torships and the idea of feminism in a patriarchal society. We are proud to announce the world premiere of the Hungarian director Anna Rubi’s film Your Life Without Me, with which we open our competition program. The protagonists, all strong women and mothers who do not accept “no” for an answer, are entirely dedicated to caring for their adult children with special needs and fighting to secure state care for them after their death. The film with which we close the program is the Greek Loxy by Dimitris Zahos and Thanasis Kafetzis. The film subtly reveals the world of a passionate young actress, the first person born with Down syndrome to sign a professional contract with the prestigious National Theatre in Athens.
Two-thirds of the feature films in our competition program were directed by women. The authors truly shine this year. Of the eight women directors, seven are presenting their first film.
From the short documentaries program, I would highlight four films that most directly reflect on human rights: Between Delicate and Violent from Turkey by director Sirin Demirel, Re;visited: Jasenovac by Bosnian author Admir Rahmanović, a contemplation on the sufferings in the infamous concentration camp, while Norika Sefa in the film Like a Sick Yellow reflects on a child’s memory of the first day of the war in Kosovo.
We warmly welcome the filmmakers as well as you, our esteemed audience! We look forward to the opportunity to meet you in our cinema and at our always exciting Docu Press Corner, where every day, interested parties will gather to discuss the topics our authors have so clearly and bravely addressed in their outstanding films.
Rada Šešić Selector of the Documentary Film Competition Program
Awards
Competition Programme Documentary Film
Films in the Competition Programme - Documentary Film of the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival are competing for awards:
HEART OF SARAJEVO FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
Award in the amount of €4,000, sponsored by the Government of Switzerland
HEART OF SARAJEVO FOR BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM
Award in the amount of €2,000
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
Award in the amount of €3,000, sponsored by the Kingdom of the Netherlands
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Award in the amount of €2,500 Mandy Chang
Founder and Creative Director of Undeniable, Fremantle’s label, USA
Jury Competition Programme Documentary Film
MANDY CHANG
Founder and Creative Director, Undeniable, a Fremantle label, USA
Mandy Chang is the Founder and Creative Director of Fremantle’s premium documentary label, Undeniable, whose slate includes feature documentary Devo, premiering at Sundance 2024 and Whatever it Takes premiering at SXSW 2024.
Mandy is an award winning filmmaker known for provocative and thought-provoking films like The Mona Lisa Curse and The Camera that Changed the World, and for executive producing innumerable documentaries and series.
Mandy was Head of ABC Arts before taking on the leadership of Storyville – the BBC’s legendary international documentary strand. At Storyville she was responsible for many critically acclaimed documentary features and series, among them Collective, Welcome to Chechnya, The Mole: Infiltrating North Korea, Writing with Fire, Misha and the Wolves, The Mole Agent, Cartel Land, The Fourth Estate and Corridors of Power.
At Storyville, Mandy extended the strand’s breadth and diversity, while supporting new talent. She left the BBC to lead Fremantle’s new documentary division as Head of Documentaries. Mandy now heads up Undeniable, returning to her passion for creating powerful documentaries.
MAREK HOVORKA
Founder and Director, Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic
Marek Hovorka graduated in documentary film studies from FAMU Prague (Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Fine Arts), where he now teaches a seminar on festival studies. He is the founder and director of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, the key European documentary film event, which is renowned for its dedication to auteurs and experimental non-fiction cinema. Its innovative industry program includes Emerging Producers, New Visions Forum, Ji.hlava Academy and Festival Identity. Since 2022, Ji.hlava has organized the Conference on Ethics in Documentary Filmmaking, providing a platform for scholars, film professionals, and the general public to engage in dialogue on important ethical issues in filmmaking and to stimulate research activities. Marek is also a co-founder of Doc Alliance, a partnership of seven key European documentary film festivals that support the diversity of documentary filmmaking and its online distribution through DAFilms.com. He has served on juries at international festivals, such as Taiwan International Documentary Festival, FID Marseille, Cinema Verite Tehran, Visions du Réel Nyon, It’s all true São Paulo or CPH:DOX. He is a member of the European Film Academy and the Czech Film and Television Academy.
Wang Xiaoshuai Director, Writer, and Producer, China
Wang Xiaoshuai is one of very few masters who remains true to his art in spite of rampant commercialism in the Chinese film industry, directing fifteen feature films over the past three decades. By virtue of strong personal style, deep concern for humanity, and diligent independent way of filmmaking, his work has garnered international acclaim, winning five Silver Bear Awards at the Berlinale, the Jury Prize at Cannes, the Best Director at the Asia Pacific Film Awards, among other prestigious accolades.
Photo by Sailan Zhou
Programme
SATURDAY, 17TH OF AUGUST
15:30
Cineplexx 1 / Screening
BIANG, BIANG EXPRESS
Director: Nikola Stojanović
Country: Serbia, China
YOUR LIFE WITHOUT ME
Director: Anna Rubi
Country: Hungary, Sweden
19:00
Cineplexx 1 / Screening
CENT’ANNI
Director: Maja Doroteja Prelog
Country: Slovenia, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Austria
SUNDAY, 18TH OF AUGUST
15:30
Cineplexx 1 / Screening
RE:VISITING JASENOVAC
Director: Admir Rahmanović
Country: Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina
THE SEAGULL
Director: David Lušičić
Country: Croatia
PAIN
Director: Ivan Faktor
Country: Croatia
LIKE A SICK YELLOW
Director: Norika Sefa
Country: Kosovo
19:00
Cineplexx 1 / Screenings
BETWEEN DELICATE AND VIOLENT
Director: Şirin Bahar Demirel
Country: Türkiye, Netherlands
DAD’S LULLABY
Director: Lesia Diak
Country: Ukraine, Romania, Croatia
MONDAY, 19TH OF AUGUST
12:00
Cineplexx 7 Screening
THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA
(Special Human Rights Day Screening)
Directors: Nanna Frank Moller, Zlatko Pranjić
Country: Denmark, Bosnia and Herzegovina
15:30
Cineplexx 1 / Screenings
AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WHO WILL COME KNOCKING
Director: Maja Novaković
Country: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
19:00
Cineplexx 1 / Screenings
WHAT WE ASK OF THE STATUE IS THAT IT DOESN’T MOVE
Director: Daphné Hérétakis
Country: Greece, France
PAVILION 6
Director: Goran Dević
Country: Croatia
22:00
Cineplexx 2 Screening
AVANT-DRAG!
(Special Human Rights Day Screening)
Director: Fil Ieropoulos Country: Greece
22:00
Cineplexx 7 / Screening
PRASLOVAN
(Out of competition)
Director: Slobodan Maksimović
Country: Slovenia, Croatia
TUESDAY, 20TH OF AUGUST
15:30
Cineplexx 1 / Screenings
ALICE ON & OFF
Director: Isabela Tent Country: Romania
19:00
Cineplexx 1 / Screenings
HETEROTOPIA
Director: Nikola Nikolić
Country: Serbia
A PICTURE TO REMEMBER
Director: Olga Chernykh
Country: Ukraine, France, Germany
WEDNESDAY, 21ST OF AUGUST
15:30
Cineplexx 1 / Screening
FRAGMENTS OF ICE
Director: Maria Stoianova
Country: Ukraine, Norway
19:00
Cineplexx 1 / Screening
OUR CHILDREN
Director: Silvestar Kolbas Country: Croatia
22:00
Cineplexx 7 / Screenings
BEKIM FEHMIU
Director: Valmir Tertini
Country: Albania
THURSDAY, 22ND OF AUGUST
15:00
Cineplexx 1 / Screening
... NED, TASSOT, YOSSIT ...
Director: Brigitte Weich Country: Austria
19:00
Cineplexx 1 / Screening
LOXY
Director: Thanasis Kafetzis, Dimitris Zahos Country: Greece
*Please secure your ticket at the Box Office
Human Rights Day Youth Programme:
Each year Human Rights Day programme hosts up to 25 young activists, including Young European Ambassadors, to participate in a programme, consisting of film screenings, panel discussions and workshops concerning Human Rights, covering a wide range of topics such as gender equality, humanitarian crises, environmental issues etc. This year, the programme supported by The Kingdom of Netherlands, UNHCR, UNWomen, WeBalkans, KULT, ReLoAd, and Europe House.
Programme Facilitators&Partners Representatives
Stanislava Marojević, Young European Ambassadors Community Manager
Dunja Jalimam, Expert Associate (KULT)
Armin Poljak, Young European Ambassadors Entity Coordinator
Lejla Gačanica, facilitator
Slobodan Blagovčanin, facilitator
Human Rights Day ProgrammePartners And Mentors:
UNHCR IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (BIH)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina plays a critical role in providing protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country. Since the 1990s, UNHCR has been pivotal in supporting the return and reintegration of displaced populations after the Bosnian War. The organization works closely with the government, local authorities, and NGOs to ensure access to basic services, legal aid, and durable solutions for those affected by displacement. UNHCR’s efforts in BiH also include advocating for the rights of refugees and ensuring their safe and dignified return to their homes or integration into host communities. The agency remains active in addressing ongoing challenges related to migration, asylum, and the protection of vulnerable populations in BiH.
UNWOMEN BIH
UN Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls in the country. The organization works on multiple fronts, including promoting women’s economic empowerment, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, and supporting women’s leadership and political participation. UN Women BiH collaborates with government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to implement programs and policies that address gender disparities and enhance women’s rights. Key initiatives include efforts to increase women’s representation in decision-making processes, support survivors of violence, and promote gender-responsive budgeting. UN Women BiH also plays a crucial role in advocating for legal and policy reforms that align with international standards on gender equality and women’s rights.
EUROPE HOUSE
Europe House in Bosnia and Herzegovina serves as a hub for promoting European values, culture, and integration. It is an initiative of the European Union Delegation to BiH, designed to engage citizens, particularly youth, in dialogues about the EU, its policies, and the European integration process. Europe House hosts various events, workshops, and discussions on topics ranging from human rights to economic development, fostering a greater understanding of the EU’s role in BiH. It provides resources and information on EU-funded programs and offers a platform for civil society organizations to collaborate on projects that promote European integration. Europe House plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the EU and the citizens of BiH, supporting the country’s path towards EU membership.
EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
The European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina represents the EU in the country, working to strengthen relations and support BiH’s path towards European integration. The Delegation plays a vital role in political dialogue, promoting democratic governance, rule of law, and human rights. It manages EU financial assistance to BiH, focusing on key areas such as socio-economic development, public administration reform, and justice sector improvement. The Delegation also monitors the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, a crucial step in BiH’s EU accession process. Through its various programs and initiatives, the EU Delegation works closely with local authorities, civil society, and international organizations to support reforms that align BiH with EU standards.
KULT (Institute for Youth Development) is a leading non-governmental organization in Bosnia and Herzegovina, dedicated to empowering young people and fostering civic engagement. Established in 2002, KULT focuses on youth development, education, and active participation in society. The organization offers training, mentorship, and advocacy programs aimed at strengthening the capacities of young individuals and organizations to influence public policies and contribute to societal development. KULT also works on promoting gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development. Through its initiatives, KULT has become a crucial actor in shaping a more inclusive and participatory society in BiH, advocating for the needs and rights of young people at local, national, and regional levels.
WeGlobal in BiH: WeGlobal is an international organization with a presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focused on promoting sustainable economic development and social inclusion. The organization works to support local businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities in overcoming economic challenges and building resilient economies. WeGlobal’s programs in BiH include capacity-building workshops, access to finance initiatives, and projects aimed at fostering innovation and competitiveness. The organization collaborates with government institutions, civil society, and international partners to create an enabling environment for economic growth and social progress. By empowering individuals and communities, WeGlobal contributes to the overall development and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
HENK VAN DOOL
Henk van Dool is the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bosnia and Herzegovina. His diplomatic career has been marked by a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the Netherlands and BiH, focusing on areas such as rule of law, human rights, and economic cooperation. Ambassador van Dool has been actively involved in supporting BiH’s Euro-Atlantic integration and promoting Dutch investments in the country. His work also includes fostering cultural exchange and supporting initiatives aimed at reconciliation and social cohesion in post-conflict BiH. Ambassador van Dool’s approach emphasizes the importance of dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation in addressing the challenges facing BiH on its path to European integration.
ASJA KRSMANOVIĆ
Asja Krsmanović is a prominent figure in the cultural and film industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly known for her role as the Program Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival. She has been instrumental in curating the festival’s programming, bringing a diverse range of films from around the world to Sarajevo. Krsmanović’s work focuses on promoting regional cinema and supporting emerging filmmakers from Southeast Europe. Her contributions have significantly shaped the festival’s reputation as a key cultural event in the region. Krsmanović is also involved in various initiatives that promote the arts and culture in BiH, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and creativity.
LEJLA KALAMUJIĆ
Lejla Kalamujić is a celebrated Bosnian writer and author, known for her deeply personal and evocative storytelling. Her works often explore themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of life in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kalamujić’s collection of short stories, *”Zovite me Esteban” (Call Me Esteban)*, has received critical acclaim for its lyrical prose and its exploration of the human condition. Her writing often reflects on the intersection of personal and collective histories, offering a poignant commentary on the lingering effects of war and the search for belonging. Kalamujić is also recognized for her contributions to LGBTQ+ literature in the region, making her an important voice in contemporary Bosnian literature.
DANIJELA DUGANDŽIĆ
Danijela Dugandžić is a Bosnian feminist, cultural worker, and activist, known for her work in promoting gender equality, social justice, and cultural activism. She is the Executive Director of the Sarajevo-based organization *Crvena*, which focuses on feminist activism, art, and culture. Dugandžić’s work encom-
passes a wide range of activities, including organizing cultural events, workshops, and campaigns that challenge traditional gender roles and advocate for women’s rights. She is also involved in regional and international networks that address issues of gender, culture, and human rights. Dugandžić’s efforts have made her a leading figure in the feminist movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to the broader discourse on gender equality in the Balkans.
NICHOLAS MOLL
Nicholas Moll is a historian, researcher, and facilitator, known for his work on memory and reconciliation in the Balkans. Based in Sarajevo, Moll has been actively involved in projects that address the legacy of conflict in the region, focusing on how societies remember and deal with the past. He collaborates with various organizations, including NGOs and academic institutions, to promote dialogue and understanding between different communities. Moll’s research often explores the intersections of history, memory, and identity, particularly in the context of post-conflict societies. His contributions have been significant in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and supporting peacebuilding efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
BIRN BiH
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN BiH) is a leading investigative journalism organization dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression in BiH. BIRN BiH is known for its in-depth reporting on war crimes, human rights issues, and corruption, providing a platform for independent journalism in the country. The organization also focuses on training and supporting local journalists, enhancing the capacity for investigative reporting in BiH. BIRN BiH’s work is critical in shedding light on issues of public interest and contributing to the development of a free and independent media landscape in the region.
RALF MELZER
Ralf Melzer is a political scientist and expert in democracy promotion and human rights. He has worked extensively in the Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he has been involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, promoting civic education, and supporting civil society. Melzer’s work often focuses on the intersection of politics and social issues, particularly in post-conflict societies. He has contributed to various publications and projects that address challenges related to governance, human rights, and European integration in the Western Balkans. Melzer’s expertise and dedication have made him a respected figure in the field of democracy and human rights promotion.
DINO ABAZOVIĆ
Dino Abazović is a sociologist and academic based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is known for his research on religion, nationalism, and identity in the Balkans, particularly in the context of the post-Yugoslav space. Abazović is a professor at the University of Sarajevo and has published extensively on topics related to the sociology of religion, interfaith dialogue, and the role of religion in public life. His work often explores the complex relationships between religion, politics, and society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, offering insights into the ways in which religious identities shape social and political dynamics in the region.
SAMIR LEMEŠ
Samir Lemeš is an environmental activist and academic based in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is known for his work in environmental protection, sustainable development, and advocacy for eco-friendly policies in the country. Lemeš is involved in various initiatives aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues, including pollution, waste management, and the protection of natural resources. He has also contributed to academic research on environmental topics and has been active in civil society organizations that promote environmental sustainability. Lemeš’s work is significant in addressing the environmental challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina and advocating for policies that prioritize the health and wellbeing of both people and the planet.
NERMIN HAMZAGIĆ
Nermin Hamzagić is a Bosnian filmmaker and director known for his contributions to contemporary cinema in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His work often explores social and political issues, reflecting the complexities of life in the post-war Balkans. Hamzagić’s films have been screened at various international film festivals, earning him recognition for his distinctive storytelling and cinematic style. He is also involved in the Sarajevo Film Academy, where he contributes to theeducation and mentorship of emerging filmmakers in the region. Hamzagić’s films are noted for their focus on human rights, social justice, and the lived experiences of marginalized communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His work is a significant part of the contemporary Bosnian film scene, offering a powerful commentary on the challenges and resilience of the society.
ENIS ČIŠIĆ
Enis Čišić is a Bosnian illustrator and comic book artist, known for his distinctive style and contributions to the comic book industry. His work often combines elements of traditional and modern art, creating visually striking and thought-provoking illustrations. Čišić gained international recognition for his collaboration with Marvel Comics, where he contributed to projects such as “Iron Man” and “Star Wars”. In addition to his work in comics, Čišić is also involved in various artistic and cultural projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he promotes the development of the local comic book scene. His artistry is celebrated for its creativity, attention to detail, and ability to convey complex narratives through visual storytelling.
DAMIR ŠAGOLJ born in 1971 in Sarajevo, is a Bosnian photographer and journalist. He completed power engineering studies in Moscow and Sarajevo but the Bosnian war and its total destruction meant a change in career for Damir. In 1996 he joined Reuters news agency as theirs Bosnia based photojournalist. For next 22 years Damir travelled the world and reported on major news stories for the agency –mostly on conflicts, civil and other disturbances and natural catastrophes, but also on contemporary and other issues. He lived in Russia, Thailand, China and spent years in the Middle East. Damir’s work was recognised with industry’s major awards – the Pulitzer prize and World Press Photo among many others. He holds a master degree from the University of Arts in London. Currently, Damir lives in Sarajevo and teaches photography at the Sarajevo Academy of Performing Arts.
Films:
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY FILM
The Sky above Zenica
Denmark, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2024, Colour, 90 min, Bosnian, English
Director: Zlatko Pranjić, Nanna Frank Møller
Screenplay: Nanna Frank Moeller, Zlatko Pranjić
A quarter of the Bosnian city of Zenica is a giant steel plant. It is the largest employer in the area, and spews smoke day and night. Zenica has been deemed one of the world’s most polluted cities, with multiple occurrences of cancers, childhood diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Now, the citizens have had enough. They form the organisation Eko Forum and demand change but, like a Greek tragedy, the conflicts of interest are bigger than everyone involved.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY FILM
Avant-Drag!
Greece, 2024, Colour, 92 min, Greek, English, Albanian, Russian
Director: Fil Ieropoulos
Screenplay: Foivos Dousos
AVANT-DRAG! offers an exhilarating look at ten Athenian drag performers who deconstruct gender, nationalism, belonging, and identity, all the while facing police brutality, transphobia, and racism. As entertaining as it is thought-provoking, the film challenges societal norms and reshapes perceptions about LGBTQ+ culture by capturing the intimate lives of a tightly knit group of drag performers, proving that being othered has never felt so familiar.
WORLD PREMIERE
Biang Biang Express
Serbia, China, 2024, Colour, 10 min, Mandarin Chinese
Director: Nikola Stojanović
Screenplay: Nikola Stojanović
BIANG BIANG EXPRESS follows food-crafters from Xi’an, the capital city of China’s Shaanxi Province, through the entire process of making a local specialty–biang biang noodles, among them wheat farmers, factory workers who mill flour, cooks, and guests of noodle restaurants who enjoy making and eating biang biang noodles.
WORLD PREMIERE
Your Life without Me
Hungary, Sweden, 2024, Colour, 72 min, Hungarian
Director: Anna Rubi
Screenplay: Anna Rubi, Áron Szentpéteri
Magdi, a strong-willed, but lonely caregiver faces a daunting reality as she grows older: If she were to pass away, her disabled adult son, Feri would be left to the inhumane conditions of the Hungarian state care system, and would quickly follow her. Determined to secure a future for Feri, Magdi unites with a group of mothers who are in the same situation and they take legal action against the state. YOUR LIFE WITHOUT ME is a story of the strength and sacrifices of these women who find their own voice through the common fight and their community.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Cent’anni
Slovenia, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Austria, 2024, Colour, 87 min, Slovenian
Director: Maja Doroteja Prelog
Screenplay: Maja Doroteja Prelog
After surviving a terminal illness diagnosis, Blaž sets off on a gruelling celebratory Giro d’Italia. Tasked with capturing the triumphant biking tour is his partner, filmmaker Maja Doroteja Prelog,. What was initially planned as a ride from the Dolomites to Sicily to reclaim control of life and celebrate overcoming the greatest of fears soon becomes a journey of self-discovery for the couple. Things shift so that Maja’s experience and needs hold the focus of lens. While the camera turns inward, the relationship unravels, revealing a brave examination of self and what it truly means to be together. CENT’ANNI is an unfiltered testament to love and change; an emotional rollercoaster with heart-rending confessions and poetic visuals in the midst of beautiful natural scenery.
EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Re:visiting
Jasenovac
Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2023, Black and white, 12 min, English
Director: Admir Rahmanović
Screenplay: Admir Rahmanović
This meditative short documentary returns to the site of one of the worst atrocities that took place in Yugoslavia during World War II in order to probe complicated questions about the nature of remembering, bearing witness, and forgetting. While depicting the contemporary landscape of the grounds of the former concentration camp in Jasenovac in haunting black-and-white photography, the film asks what it means to “never forget” and how these words continue to resonate today.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
The Seagull
Croatia, 2024, Colour and B&W, 29 min, Croatian
Director: David Lušičić
Screenplay: David Lušičić
THE SEAGULL chronicles the final attempt at a reconstruction of the Galeb, Yugoslav President Tito’s yacht, which was used from the 1950s until his death in 1980, followed by the breakdown of Yugoslavia. The vessel played a crucial role in keeping the peace between the Eastern and Western blocs, and in promoting the Non-Aligned Movement. The film provides insight into the unique life of a sailor through the testimony of an officer involved in the Galeb’s final voyage. While the yacht is being reconstructed near the shipyard, the local population concludes a carnival-like ritual by symbolically burning an effigy. This symbolises the end of winter and aims to dispel the perceived evils believed to have shaped their past.
REGIONAL PREMIERE
Pain
Croatia, 2024, Colour, 22 min, Croatian
Director: Ivan Faktor
Screenplay: Ivan Faktor
Ivan Faktor decided to visualise his state of living with Parkinson’s disease with a mobile phone camera. After 50 years of making films, his passion for art and life persists. He films himself, his wife, the yard, the street, the studio, and the light that plays in his house. Faktor records everyday life but disrupts the routine structure by intervening, using light or optical obstacles like his trembling fingers. Through these interventions into documentary situations, he creates a surprising inner world of an artist imprisoned in space.
B&H PREMIERE
Like a Sick Yellow
Kosovo*, 2024, Colour, 23 min, Albanian
Director: Norika Sefa
Screenplay: Norika Sefa
*This label does not prejudge the status of Kosovo and is in accordance with Resolution 1244 and the opinion of the ICJ on Kosovo’s declaration of independence
She was afraid of bad luck. They used to tell her, “Let your mind be peaceful; don’t put bad thoughts in your head; if it’s meant to be, it will be. That’s luck.” Nora was happy. She was afraid something might happen to change this.
REGIONAL PREMIERE
Between Delicate and Violent
Türkiye, Netherlands, 2023, Colour, 15 min, Turkish
Director: Şirin Bahar Demirel
Screenplay: Şirin Bahar Demirel
This experimental documentary considers hands as places of remembrance that can both accumulate and transfer memories. Through hands and their creations, BETWEEN DELICATE AND VIOLENT imagines unearthing lost memories that have not been included in performative, socially acceptable family albums. Can we see the violence of a painter’s hands in their brushstrokes? Could cross-stitch be an alphabet of some sort? The video connects with the director’s past through imagination and creation, while opening up to larger human experiences such as domestic violence and intergenerational trauma and resistance.
WORLD PREMIERE
Dad’s Lullaby
Ukraine, Romania, Croatia, 2024, Colour, 78 min, Ukrainian
Director: Lesia Diak
Screenplay: Lesia Diak
The unseen damage inflicted by war on personal relationships casts its shadow over the homecoming of Serhiy, a veteran haunted by loss. He finds himself increasingly isolated as he battles to reconnect with his wife, Nadiia, and their three sons, Sasha, Artem and Nikita. The film takes an unexpected turn when Serhiy turns the camera on its director. This role reversal creates a space for vulnerable dialogue about love and human relationships as the filmmaker shares her own experience of break-up with another war veteran.
B&H PREMIERE
At the Door of the House Who Will Come Knocking
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2024, Colour, 85 min, Serbian, Bosnian
Director: Maja Novaković
Screenplay: Maja Novaković, Jonathan Hourigan
In the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in a house at the edge of a village near Srebrenica, lives Emin. In his twilight years, he toils alongside his faithful horse. The monotonous rhythm of Emin’s daily life hides a deep wound. He breaks through the snow and strong wind or works for long hours in the bitter cold, embracing the harshness of nature and finding little solace in the warmth of his stove. He seeks relief and a brief respite from his grief in fleeting conversations.
INTERNATIONAL
PREMIERE
What We Ask of a Statue Is That It Doesn’t
Move
Greece, France, 2024, Colour, 31 min, Greek
Director: Daphné Hérétakis
Screenplay: Daphné Hérétakis
Nothing seems to be moving in Athens and the people are as still as statues. But, elsewhere in the city, a caryatid escapes the museum and a groupuscule demands the destruction of all antiquities. Perhaps filming is the only way to avoid turning into stone.
REGIONAL PREMIERE
Pavilion 6
Croatia, 2024, Colour, 69 min, Croatian
Director: Goran Dević
Screenplay: Goran Dević
The long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine brings a glimmer of hope. Through candid conversations with people waiting in line for vaccination, this globally relatable film reveals the disorientation and skepticism that permeate the collective experience. Serving as collective therapy for the post-COVID era, this humorous and humane snapshot of a unique moment in time uncovers the threads of resilience and connection that bind us, reminding us of our common humanity in the face of unprecedented challenges.
GALA SCREENING – OUT OF COMPETITION WORLD PREMIERE
Praslovan
Slovenia, Croatia, 2024, Colour, 112 min, Slovenian, Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian
Režija / Director: Slobodan Maksimović
Scenarij / Screenplay: Slobodan Maksimović
PRASLOVAN is an emotional biographical drama about the life and career of Zoran Predin, one of the most important singer-songwriters of the former Yugoslavia. The film follows his journey from his early days in Maribor through fame with the band Lačni Franz and his solo career. Through a retrospective of his greatest hits, PRASLOVAN shows how his songs reflected both social changes and personal transformations. It concludes with an intimate look at Predin’s life, including his ups and downs and the impact he had on his family and friends. The film features prominent figures like Đorđe Balašević, Branko Đurić, Gabi Novak, among others.
REGIONAL PREMIERE
Alice On & Off
Romania, 2024, Colour, 86 min, Romanian
Director: Isabela Tent
Screenplay: Isabela Tent
Shot over the course of ten years, ALICE ON & OFF revolves around sixteen-year-old Alice, who becomes a mother to Aristo, a child conceived out of her deep affection for Dorian despite their remarkable thirty-five-year age difference. Trajectories quickly separate, however, compelling Alice to make the heart-rending choice of parting ways with both Dorian and Aristo. Confronted with feelings of fear and isolation, Alice seeks refuge and solace by expressing herself through painting, with a video camera as her witness. In this process, she not only finds comfort but also rediscovers love. Mirroring the actions of her own parents, Alice sporadically appears in Aristo’s life throughout the years.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE Heterotopia
Director: Nikola Nikolić
Screenplay: Nikola Nikolić
A film about space that integrates various categories of time, both through the concept of progress contained in the collective, and through the prism of individual and personal experience
REGIONAL PREMIERE
A Picture to Remember
Ukraine, France, Germany, 2023, Colour and B&W, 72 min, Ukrainian, Russian Director: Olga Chernykh
Screenplay: Olga Chernykh
A PICTURE TO REMEMBER is an essayistic account of a family’s lengthy journey through wartime. It chronicles their search for a way to handle the terrible and recurring losses experienced by three generations of Ukrainian women – those of the director, her mother, and her grandmother. A moving exploration of identity, heritage, and the power of storytelling to connect us in times of upheaval.
REGIONAL PREMIERE
Fragments of Ice
Ukraine, Norway, 2024, Colour and B&W, 95 min, Ukrainian, English, Russian Director: Maria Stoianova
Personal, political, and social developments unfold in FRAGMENTS OF ICE, which is edited together from fifteen VHS tapes covering the period 1986 to 1994: video diaries shot by the director’s father, a champion figure-skater, on his foreign tours with the Ukrainian Ensemble Ballet on Ice, and in his own home. As we follow director Maria Stoianova growing up, we witness the collapse of the Soviet Union in parallel with Ukraine’s journey towards regaining independence and its transition to a market economy. Expectations reflected in the glamorous footage of the West contrast starkly with home-video footage of peeling walls, collapsed ceilings, and cockroaches at the family flat. The film captures the broad sweep of history as well as its impact on the lives of real people, ending with a new upheaval—the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Our Children
Croatia, 2024, Colour, 92 min, Croatian
Director: Silvestar Kolbas
Screenplay: Silvestar Kolbas
At sixty-eight, Silvestar has been the oldest Kolbas in his family for some time. He is married for the second time. He has three children: the eldest, Jakov, from his first marriage; Eva, from his second marriage, born through artificial insemination; and Ante, adopted from a children’s home at the age of eight. How do his children affect Kolbas’s feelings and attitudes and his relationship with his wife? How does he influence—and how has he influenced—each of his children? What kind of relationship does he have with each child? Does he give each of them an equal amount of love? Do his children change him? Do they each change him in a different way? How do the children see him and his wife? How do they see their relationships to themselves?
GALA SCREENING – OUT OF COMPETITION B&H PREMIERE
Bekim Fehmiu
Albania, 2023, Colour, 66 min, Albanian, Serbian, Italian
Režija / Director: Valmir Tertini
Scenarij / Screenplay: Fahri Musliu
BEKIM FEHMIU is observational, using interviews but no narration, and is shot in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Kosovo, and Serbia. It begins with an apparent suicide, leading to birth, splendour, and a significant acting role. Fame invites misunderstandings and rumours. It explores how an Albanian actor gained fame in the former Yugoslavia, and was admitted to the Academy of Arts despite not knowing Serbo-Croatian.
REGIONAL PREMIERE
... ned, tassot, yossot ...
Austria, 2023, Colour, 99 min, Korean Director: Brigitte Weich
Screenplay: Brigitte Weich
About five years after the release of her film HANA, DUL, SED …, filmmaker Brigitte Weich returns to North Korea to ask four women on the national football team how their lives have evolved. In a friendly and congenial co-operation between the filmmaker and the participants, a work arises that not only tells about the daily life of a professional athlete in North Korea but also asks questions about the images we make of ourselves to give meaning to our lives and the world.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Loxy
Greece, 2024, Colour, 87 min, Greek
Director: Thanasis Kafetzis, Dimitris Zahos
Screenplay: Thanasis Kafetzis, Dimitris Zahos
Loxandra, a young woman with Down syndrome, becomes the first disabled person to sign an acting contract with the National Theatre of Greece. She leaves her city and her familiar everyday life and travels to Athens to become a member of the group of professional actors. For the next six months, Loxy goes to rehearsals and makes friends, falls in love, has fun, gets frustrated, and claims accessibility again and again, breaking one stereotype at a time.
Sarajevo Film Festival / Zelenih beretki 12, 71000 Sarajevo / Bosnia and Herzegovina tel. +387 33 221 516 / +387 33 209 411 / +387 33 263 380 / fax +387 33 263 381 www.sff.ba | info-sff@sff.ba | dwp@sff.ba | facebook | twitter | instagram
I HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD 2024