Sarajevo from tonight the world's film center

Sarajevo will for the 23rd time become the center of regional cinematography, as the new edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival opens tonight.

The red carpet was laid out in front of the National Theatre last night, which numerous guests will walk on tonight, and a dress rehearsal was held at the Summer Cinema.

This year, prominent director Oliver Stone and famous British comedian and Monty Python star John Cleese will also arrive at the most significant film festival in the region. They will be presented with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award for their exceptional contribution to the art of filmmaking.

Of the seven films competing for the Heart of Sarajevo award, four will have their regional premiere, and three their world premiere. Competing for the prestigious Heart of Sarajevo are: "Directions" (Bulgaria) directed by Stephan Komandarev; "Son of Sofia" (Greece) directed by Elina Psykou; "Scary Mother" (Georgia) by debutant Ana Urushandze and "The Hostages" (Georgia) directed by Reza Gigineishvili.

World premieres at the 23rd SFF will include: "Daybreak" (Albania and Greece) directed by Gentian Koci, Emanuel Parvu's debut film (Romania) "Meda or the Not So Shiny Side of Things", and the third world premiere is the film "Grain" (Turkey) by Turkish director Semih Kaplanoglu.

The competition program - feature film prioritizes works that will have their world or international premiere at the Sarajevo Film Festival. Films in this program are screened at prime festival times, in the National Theatre building in Sarajevo.

As the main program of the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Competition Program attracts more than 150 guests - directors, screenwriters, producers, actors, actresses, and other film professionals, and in previous years has become the most significant gathering place for Eastern European film and all those interested in the cinematographies of the represented countries.

In addition to the competition for feature and short films, SFF's production has once again strived to strengthen other parts of the program, so that all film lovers, regardless of genre, can find something for themselves in this year's program, including the youngest ones.

SFF Director Mirsad Purivatra said that this is the biggest Festival so far and that it has been expanded to four new locations. 

- The festival offers a unique experience of watching a film in the company of friends, people you don't know... and after the screening, you can discuss the film. SFF is made for watching films - he assessed.