The audience of the Sarajevo Film Festival will vote for a lucrative new award: the Prix Cineplexx

The Sarajevo Film Festival, one of the most prominent cultural events in Southeast Europe, has announced the introduction of a new award named Prix Cineplexx. This prize marks a significant milestone as it will be awarded for the first time during the upcoming 32nd edition of the festival. The initiative is a collaboration between the Sarajevo Film Festival and Cineplexx, a leading cinema network in Southeast Europe, aimed at strengthening the connection between festival recognition and the commercial success of films in cinemas. The Prix Cineplexx will be given to the best film in the Open Air Premiere section, selected by the festival's audience. The value of the award totals 20,000 euros, comprising 15,000 euros worth of marketing services for the cinema distribution of the winning film within Cineplexx theaters, and an additional 5,000 euros in cash, which will be awarded to the producer of the winning film. This financial support is intended to enhance the visibility and reach of the winning film beyond the festival itself, ensuring continued engagement with audiences after its initial screening. The Open Air program, known for being one of the most attended sections of the festival, was divided into two parts last year—Open Air and Open Air Premiere. The latter focuses on highly anticipated new works from the region, specifically from former Yugoslavia. These films are shown at an exclusive location—the UNIQA Summer Cinema in Stari Grad—which underwent technical upgrades and had its capacity doubled last year. This enhanced infrastructure supports the growing demand for such screenings and underscores the importance of providing high-quality viewing experiences for attendees. Jovan Marjanović, director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, emphasized the significance of this new award. He stated that the prize offers more than just monetary value. It provides the winning film with strong marketing support for its cinema distribution through one of the largest cinema networks in the region. This added value enhances the Open Air Premiere program and gives regional films concrete support even after the festival concludes. Cineplexx, as a leading cinema group operating across Southeast Europe, is a natural partner for this award, which celebrates the choice of the festival’s audience and supports the distribution of regional films beyond the festival period. According to representatives from the Sarajevo Film Festival, this partnership ensures that top-tier regional films can reach broader audiences. Christof Papousek, financial director and co-owner of Cineplexx, highlighted the company’s longstanding support for the Sarajevo Film Festival. He noted that Cineplexx has proudly supported the festival for many years, recognizing its status as one of the most notable cultural events in the region and its significant artistic, economic, and social impact. With their cinemas dedicated to the public through top-notch infrastructure and diverse film programs, it makes sense for them to sponsor an award decided by the festival’s audience and intended for regional films. He expressed excitement about celebrating the first recipient of the Prix Cineplexx. Cineplexx is an Austrian cinema group with over seven decades of experience in the cinema industry, employing strong local teams and experts in major cities across Southeast Europe. Currently, the Cineplexx network includes around 70 cinemas in Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo*, Greece, Romania, and Italy, featuring over 500 cinema halls. This extensive presence allows the company to play a crucial role in promoting regional films through its wide-reaching platform. The introduction of the Prix Cineplexx represents a strategic move to bridge the gap between festival acclaim and post-festival cinematic success. By offering substantial marketing support alongside a cash prize, the award aims to ensure that films recognized at the Sarajevo Film Festival continue to thrive in the broader cinematic landscape. This initiative reflects the collaborative spirit between the festival and Cineplexx, both committed to advancing the visibility and appreciation of regional cinema. As the 32nd edition approaches, anticipation builds for the first-ever Prix Cineplexx winner, who will benefit from this unique opportunity to gain further exposure and support for their work.