"Every Time" by Sandra Wollner won the Heart of Sarajevo for best film, awarded several Croatian films

The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival concluded with the awarding of the coveted Heart of Sarajevo prize for best feature film to Svaki put (Everytime) directed by Austrian filmmaker Sandra Wollner. The film, produced as an Austro-German co-production, was chosen unanimously by the jury composed of Emily Watson, Igor Bezinović, Sara Klimoska, Matthijs Wouter Knol, and Athina Rachel Tsangari. Described as “hypnotic, elastic, and transcendental,” the film was praised for its emotional depth and ability to capture fleeting moments of cinematic grace. The winner received a cash prize of 16,000 euros. In addition to the main awards, the festival honored five recipients of the Honorary Hearts of Sarajevo for outstanding contributions to cinema. These included British actress Emily Watson, Spanish actor Diego Luna, American actor Woody Harrelson, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, and Bosnian producer Emira Hadžihafizbegović. Each of these individuals was recognized for their enduring impact on the world of film. The festival’s final screening took place at the National Theatre in Sarajevo, featuring a restored version of Danis Tanović’s Oscar-winning film No Man's Land. This marked the end of the festival’s programming, which spanned several days of screenings, discussions, and cultural exchanges. The Heart of Sarajevo for Best Director went to Georgian-Estonian-Turkish co-producer Ani Urushadze for her film Sporedna uloga (MeoreKharisKhovani Roli). The jury highlighted her bold combination of everyday life and irony, along with her refreshing curiosity in exploring the meaning of life and film itself. The prize amounted to 10,000 euros and was supported by the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina in collaboration with UNESCO. Best Actress honors were awarded to Serbian-born Croatian performer Eva Kostić for her role in 17, directed by Kosare Mitić. The film is a co-production involving North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. The jury described her performance as raw, visceral, and deeply instinctual, emphasizing her exceptional emotional authenticity and the rare strength of her voice. The Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actor was claimed by Romanian actor Adrian Văncică for his role in Ti ovdje ne pripadaš (Nu e locul tău aici). His portrayal was noted for its steadfastness and unassuming rigor, serving the narrative effectively through long takes and wide shots. The prize was worth 2,500 euros. This year’s festival proved particularly successful for Croatian cinematography. The documentary category saw the recognition of Planina, directed by Biljana Tutorov and Petra Glomazić. The film, a co-production involving Serbia, France, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Croatia, won the Heart of Sarajevo for Best Feature Documentary and a cash prize of 4,000 euros. It also qualified for consideration in the Academy Awards nomination process. The documentary jury, consisting of Kamal Aljafari, Sabine Gebetsroither, and Ollie Huddleston, praised the film for its stunning photography and moving portraits of two extraordinary women and the vanishing traditional way of life. Their connection to traumatic pasts and efforts to preserve the mountain were described as an unforgettable journey. The film was lauded for transforming personal stories into a powerful cinematic portrait. Another notable achievement for Croatian cinema came with Tiha misa, directed by Karla Jelić. The film received the Heart of Sarajevo for Best Short Documentary and a prize of 2,000 euros. The jury called it an “exceptionally powerful” short film that witnessed courageous defiance against the rise of male misogyny. The act of artist Arijana Lekić Fridrih, who stood up against reactionary masses seeking to silence women, was highlighted as a significant moment. In the category of Best Short Fiction Film, another co-production with Croatian involvement was honored. Niko ništa nije rekao, directed by Tamara Todorović, won the Heart of Sarajevo for Best Short Fiction Film. The film, a co-production involving Serbia, France, Slovenia, and Croatia, also qualifies for an Academy Award nomination. The prize was worth 2,500 euros. The jury for the fiction short category, including Goran Gajić, Natalije Mirzoyan, and David Montenegro, commended the film for its ability to create believable and coherent characters within a limited timeframe. They noted how it gradually builds tension leading up to the third act.