At the 32nd Sarajevo International Film Festival, acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo, one of the festival’s highest distinctions.
The award recognizes Farhadi’s outstanding contribution to world cinema and the profound humanism reflected throughout his body of work. He will accept the award in person in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the festival will also present a retrospective of his films as part of its “Tribute To” program. (Sarajevo Film Festival)
Festival Director Jovan Marjanović praised Farhadi’s enduring impact on international cinema:
“It is difficult to overstate Asghar Farhadi’s significance to world cinema. His remarkable body of work reminds us that the most profound dramas are often concealed within everyday life. His films do not offer easy answers; instead, they invite us to look more closely, listen more carefully and engage with life’s complexities. We are honored to welcome Farhadi back to the Sarajevo Film Festival and present him with this honorary award.”
Farhadi returns to Sarajevo eight years after serving as President of the Feature Film Competition Jury at the festival’s 24th edition in 2018, when his film Everybody Knows was screened in the Open Air program.
A Career Marked by International Acclaim
Farhadi made his feature film debut with Dancing in the Dust (2002). His breakthrough on the international stage came with About Elly (2009), which earned him the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Global recognition followed with A Separation (2011), widely regarded as one of the defining films of contemporary world cinema. The film received more than seventy international awards, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the César Award for Best Foreign Film.
He later directed The Past (2013) in France, which won Bérénice Bejo the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Returning to Iran, Farhadi directed The Salesman (2016), which premiered in competition at Cannes and won Best Screenplay as well as Best Actor for Shahab Hosseini. The film subsequently earned Farhadi his second Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
His 2021 feature A Hero received the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, further cementing his reputation as one of the world’s leading filmmakers.
Opening Film and Festival Jury
The 32nd Sarajevo International Film Festival will open with Fatherland, directed by Oscar-winning Polish filmmaker Paweł Pawlikowski.
Speaking about the festival, Pawlikowski said:
“My films, especially the last three which are steeped in history, have a very good home there. I’m very happy to be back and very thrilled that it’s the opening film of the festival.”
British actress Emily Watson, recipient of the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo, will serve as President of the Feature Film Competition Jury. Festival Director Jovan Marjanović described Watson as an actress whose talent, intelligence, and commitment have left a profound mark on contemporary cinema, praising the emotional depth and subtlety of her performances. Watson returns to Sarajevo twenty years after her previous appearance, this time both as an honorary award recipient and as jury president.
The festival will also host a series of masterclasses and industry conversations featuring internationally renowned filmmakers and cinema professionals.
Cineplexx Introduces a New Festival Award
For the first time, the Sarajevo Film Festival will present the Prix Cineplexx, established in partnership with Cineplexx, the leading cinema chain in Southeast Europe.
The award aims to strengthen the connection between festival recognition and theatrical distribution, supporting regional films beyond their festival premieres and encouraging wider audience exposure. (Sarajevo Film Festival)
€20,000 Award for the Best Open Air Programme Film
The Prix Cineplexx will be presented to the audience-selected Best Film in the Open Air Programme.
The award is valued at €20,000, consisting of:
- €15,000 in promotional and theatrical marketing services provided by Cineplexx to support the film’s commercial release.
- €5,000 in cash awarded to the film’s producer.
A Festival Born During Wartime
The Sarajevo Film Festival was founded in 1995, during the final months of the nearly four-year Siege of Sarajevo, by the Obala Art Center. Its mission was to contribute to rebuilding civil society while preserving the city’s cosmopolitan and multicultural identity.
More than three decades later, the festival has grown into the leading film event in Southeast Europe, serving a region of more than 140 million people. It functions as a major platform for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and industry professionals while helping shape future standards in festival programming, film promotion, and distribution.
Its strong industry platform, educational initiatives, networking opportunities, and consistent participation by internationally recognized filmmakers and media representatives have firmly established Sarajevo as one of Europe’s most influential regional film festivals.
Focus on Southeast European Cinema
Each year, the Sarajevo Film Festival places particular emphasis on films from Southeast Europe, the South Caucasus, and Ukraine.
The 32nd edition, taking place August 14–21, 2026, will feature films from around the world competing in several categories, including:
- Feature Film Competition
- Documentary Competition
- Short Film Competition
- Student Film Competition
These sections will compete for the prestigious Heart of Sarajevo Awards, alongside a broad selection of non-competitive programs. (SFF)
Fact-checking Notes
- The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo for Asghar Farhadi, the “Tribute To” retrospective, Jovan Marjanović’s statement, Farhadi’s 2018 jury presidency, the opening film Fatherland, Emily Watson’s role as jury president, the introduction of the Prix Cineplexx, and the festival dates have all been verified against official Sarajevo Film Festival announcements.
- The historical summary of Farhadi’s major awards has been lightly edited for factual precision while preserving the intent of the original article (for example, A Hero received the Grand Prix at Cannes rather than a generic “Grand Prize”).
