Austria🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/23/2026

Sandra Wollner wins with "Everytime" in Sarajevo

The Austrian director Sandra Wollner's film 'Everytime' won the main prize at the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), known as the 'Heart of Sarajevo' award for best feature film. The film, co-financed by ORF, was praised for its sensitive portrayal of grief and loss, blending reality with past memories through visual storytelling. Wollner previously won acclaim for her work 'The Trouble with Being Born,' which also premiered at Cannes. The SFF, established in 1995 during the Serbian siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War, has grown into one of Southeast Europe's most significant film festivals. The festival awards the 'Heart of Sarajevo' prize across multiple categories.

Sandra Wollner’s film Everytime has won the main prize at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival, taking home the “Heart of Sarajevo” award for best feature film. The Austrian director, known for her work on The Trouble with Being Born, accepted the honor during the festival’s closing ceremony at the National Theatre in Sarajevo yesterday evening. The film, which explores themes of grief and loss, was shot in warm tones and features cinematography by Gregory Oke. It blends reality with memories through video footage and recollection, creating a nuanced portrayal of emotional struggle. The Sarajevo Film Festival, established in 1995 during the Serbian siege of the city during the Bosnian War (1992–1995), has since evolved into one of the most prestigious film festivals in Southeast Europe. Originally conceived as a cultural initiative amid conflict, the festival now attracts filmmakers and audiences from around the world. The “Heart of Sarajevo” award is given in multiple categories, recognizing excellence across different genres and styles. This year’s edition saw a wide range of entries, reflecting the diversity and vitality of contemporary cinema. Everytime had already made waves earlier in the festival calendar, earning critical acclaim and recognition at other international events. Notably, the film secured the top prize in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. This achievement highlights the growing international profile of Wollner’s work and underscores the increasing visibility of European independent filmmaking. The film’s success at both Cannes and Sarajevo suggests a strong narrative and artistic vision that resonates with global audiences. Wollner’s acceptance speech emphasized the importance of storytelling in times of personal and collective hardship. She spoke about how the film’s blend of past and present reflects the complex nature of memory and emotion. Her remarks were met with applause from the audience, many of whom had followed the film’s journey throughout the festival. The emotional depth of Everytime and its technical execution were widely praised by critics and fellow filmmakers, reinforcing its status as a standout entry in this year’s lineup. The Sarajevo Film Festival continues to serve as a vital platform for emerging and established directors alike. With its historical roots and ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse voices, the festival plays a crucial role in shaping the future of cinema in the region. This year’s edition, marked by Wollner’s triumph, reaffirms the festival’s reputation as a space where innovative and thought-provoking films find their audience. As the festival concludes, attention turns to the broader impact of such achievements on the careers of filmmakers and the continued evolution of cinematic storytelling.

2 reports

ORF NewsState / PublicCenterFactual 94Objective 968/21/2026

Sandra Wollner wins with "Everytime" in Sarajevo

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a cultural event (film festival) and does not take a clear ideological stance. It focuses on the achievement of a filmmaker and the historical background of the festival without overtly favoring any political group or ideology. While the topic relates to a film

Why factuality (94): The article provides specific details about Sandra Wollner winning the main prize at the Sarajevo Film Festival with her film 'Everytime', including the time the article was published, the award name, and the festival's historical background. It also mentions the film’s theme and technical aspects l

Why objectivity (96): The article presents the information in a neutral and factual manner, avoiding any overt bias or emotional language. It describes the film's themes and awards objectively, without favoring any particular perspective or injecting personal opinion.

Der StandardIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 788/23/2026

Sandra Wollner wins the main prize in Sarajevo with "Everytime"

The Austrian filmmaker Sandra Wollner won the main prize at the Sarajevo Film Festival with her film 'Everytime.' The drama explores grief and loss, blending reality with memories through visual storytelling. This marks Wollner's third feature film, following 'Das unmögliche Bild' and 'The Trouble with Being Born.' Her work previously earned recognition at the Cannes Film Festival in the 'Un Certain Regard' section. The Sarajevo Film Festival, established in 1995 during the Bosnian War, has become one of the most significant film festivals in Southeast Europe.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a cultural event, specifically, a film festival and award ceremony, with no political controversy or ideological framing. It focuses on artistic achievement, historical background, and professional accomplishments without taking a partisan stance.

Why factuality (85): The article reports that Sandra Wollner won the main prize at the Sarajevo Film Festival with her film 'Everytime'. It mentions she is an Austrian director and that the film deals with grief and loss. It also references her previous success at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section. These details a

Why objectivity (78): The tone is generally neutral, presenting facts about the film and its awards. However, there is some promotional language such as 'feinfühlig' (delicately) describing the film's portrayal of grief, which may lean towards a positive interpretation. The article also includes a brief historical note a

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Sandra Wollner wins with "Everytime" in Sarajevo

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