The screening of "Fatherland" by Paweł Pawlikowski opened the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival

The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival opened with a ceremonial screening of Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski’s historical drama Očevina (translated as Father of My Father) on Thursday evening at the National Theatre in Sarajevo. The event marked the beginning of a week-long celebration of cinema, featuring over 250 films across multiple programs and drawing expectations of more than 150,000 visitors. The opening ceremony was attended by a diverse audience, reflecting the festival's long-standing commitment to fostering dialogue among viewers with different perspectives. Director Jovan Marjanović emphasized during the opening remarks that the festival believes the opening ceremony should serve as an introduction to the films rather than replace them. “We don’t come here because we think alike, but because we believe that watching films together is more important than ever,” he stated. He highlighted the festival’s role in bringing together audiences who embrace shared experiences and open-mindedness, noting that this tradition has been upheld for over three decades. “Thank you for giving us your time, curiosity, and trust year after year. That is our greatest value and responsibility,” Marjanović added. Paweł Pawlikowski, the director of Očevina, took the stage following the ceremony. The film explores the complex relationship between German Nobel laureate Thomas Mann and his daughter Erica during the summer of 1949, set against the backdrop of a divided Germany. Pawlikowski reflected on his personal connection to the festival, stating that it was close to his heart and that his film had been shown for the first time at the inaugural edition of the festival in 1995, an era he described as particularly significant for cinematography and history. “This film is filled with history, family, love, betrayal, and everything similar. It is placed within the context of the rich history this city holds. However, do not take it too seriously, there are several humorous elements in the film,” he remarked. The opening ceremony was hosted by Sarajevo actor Kerim Čutuna, a graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo, known for roles in films such as Tabija and Deset u pola. His performance included appearances in monodrama Nebitno and comedic sketches posted on social media platforms. The festival will showcase a wide range of films, including 51 new works from the region of Southeastern Europe, with 21 being world premieres. A new award, Prix Cineplexx, will be decided by public vote within the Open Air Premiers program. Additionally, the festival features a dedicated program honoring Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, as well as the ongoing “White in Sarajevo” initiative, which celebrates the legacy of Bela Tarr through the work of former students from Sarajevo’s Film Factory. The selection process for competitive programs focused on feature and short films was led by selector Elma Tataragić. She noted that this year’s selection stands out for its exceptional authorial maturity and high quality, produced under record competition involving over 1,300 titles reviewed across four categories. More than 700 of these were short films. Tataragić pointed out that the selection highlights bold thematic concerns, courageous authorial styles, and continuity in tracking filmmakers who began their international careers in Sarajevo. She also emphasized generational and stylistic diversity, further supported by the strong presence of female directors, who account for six of nine feature-length selections and seven of ten short films. Tataragić observed that visual and stylistic dominance in the region still leans toward realism, though authors increasingly experiment with narrative and formal approaches, altering traditional structures.