Meg Ryan to Receive Honorary Heart of Sarajevo at 30th Sarajevo Film Festival

(Patria) - In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the art of filmmaking, actress Meg Ryan will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival.

The Hollywood star, known for her versatility and natural charm in every role she plays, Ryan will also present a special screening of her 1998 hit romantic comedy "You've Got Mail" at the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema. The renowned actress will greet the audience at the same venue where this film was screened 25 years ago, at the 5th Sarajevo Film Festival, in 1999.

Ryan will also hold a masterclass moderated by award-winning Bosnian director Danis Tanović, an Oscar winner for the film “No Man’s Land”. The masterclass will be a special opportunity to gain insight into the key aspects of Meg Ryan's career and her new film “What Happens Later”, which will also be screened at the Festival.

The romantic comedy directed, written, and starring Ryan alongside David Duchovny, “What Happens Later” by Bleecker Street Media, is her second directorial work, following the 2015 independent film “Ithaca”.

“Meg Ryan captured our hearts at first sight! Not only has she charmed us all with her unforgettable performances, but she has also proven her skill behind the camera as a director and screenwriter. It is an honor to present her with the Heart of Sarajevo,” said Jovan Marjanović, Festival Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Meg Ryan gained widespread recognition for her comedic appeal in her first Golden Globe-nominated role as Sally Albright in Rob Reiner’s “When Harry Met Sally”, written by Nora Ephron. She continued to star in Nora Ephron’s hit romantic comedy “Sleepless in Seattle”, where she starred with Tom Hanks, earning her a second Golden Globe nomination. Her last collaboration with Ephron and Hanks was the romantic comedy “You’ve Got Mail”, which brought Ryan international acclaim and a third Golden Globe nomination.

She has also received accolades for her unique dramatic portrayals, including her role opposite Denzel Washington as the first female soldier nominated for the Medal of Honor in Edward Zwick’s “Courage Under Fire”, and her poignant performance as a woman struggling with alcoholism in Luis Mandoki’s “When a Man Loves a Woman”, in which she starred with Andy Garcia. For her performance with Kiefer Sutherland in the Sundance Institute film “Theekš Promised Land”, she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo was established in 2005 with the aim of recognizing individuals for their exceptional contribution to the affirmation and development of the film industry, as well as their support for and development of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival will be held from August 16 to August 23, 2024.