She became a refugee at the age of 15 and moved from country to country for ten years, now returning to Bosnia with a film

At the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, the Slovenian film Gajin svet 3 made its world premiere, marking the third installment in the popular cinematic saga directed by Peter Bratus. The film was shown in the Teen Arena section, with the production team attending the screening. Among those present were actors Uma Štader, Sebastijan Cavazza, Ajda Smrekar, Goran Navojec, director Peter Bratus, screenwriter Špela Levičnik, producer Miha Zore, cinematographer Dominik Istenič, editor Jan Lovše, and assistant director David Belina. The audience welcomed the film with warmth, interest, and enthusiasm, signaling the beginning of its journey in Sarajevo, a city long associated with connecting film stories and people while inspiring generations through its unique cinematic energy. The festival also featured the regional premiere of Pour the Water as I Leave, a hybrid animated-documentary-fiction film directed by Bosnian-American filmmaker Daniela Repas. This film previously had its world premiere at the Ann Arbor Film Festival in the United States, where it won the award for best dance film. The film draws inspiration from Repas’s personal experiences. At the age of fifteen, she became a refugee during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the following ten years, she lived in constant movement from country to country, encountering refugee camps and complex bureaucratic systems. From this difficult experience, she created a film that expands her personal story of growing up during war into a broader narrative affecting entire generations who were forced to leave their homes. Set in Lukavac, Repas's birthplace, the film takes place in 1993 and weaves together fictional scenes, animation, real testimonies, archival footage, and contemporary dance. The main characters, a couple in love, attempt to flee Bosnia. Their journey unfolds as a dreamlike exchange of reality, memories, and trauma. Along the way, they meet seven real-life witnesses from the Tuzla region who now live in the United States. Repas, both director and screenwriter, states that her stories have always been rooted in Bosnian heritage. With this film, she aims to document the experience of exile and believes these stories, with their sincerity and resilience, can offer comfort to those carrying similar memories. The title Pour the Water as I Leave originates from a well-known tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When someone departs on a journey, family members pour water for them, wishing them luck and a safe return. Within the context of the film, this custom acquires a more somber meaning, reflecting people who left their homeland without the certainty of ever returning. In the film, Kylie Shea and dancer Karl Watson play leading roles, with the dance ensemble Whim W'Him also appearing. Choreography was created by Rena Butler, and the original music was composed by award-winning composer Suad Bushnaq. The Sarajevo Film Festival has long served as a platform for diverse cinematic voices, offering a space where filmmakers from different backgrounds can share their narratives. This year’s lineup includes works that explore themes of displacement, identity, and memory, often drawing from personal histories and collective experiences. For many attendees, the festival represents not just a celebration of cinema but also a chance to connect with stories that resonate deeply on a human level. The presence of international productions alongside local talent highlights the festival’s role in bridging cultural divides. Films such as Pour the Water as I Leave bring attention to the ongoing struggles faced by refugees and displaced communities, using art as a means of healing and understanding. As the festival continues, audiences will witness a range of genres and styles, each contributing to the rich tapestry of global cinema.