World Premiere of Dino Mustafić's Film 'Pavilion' Opens 31st Sarajevo Film Festival

(Patria) - The world premiere of the BiH film "Pavilion" by director Dino Mustafić on August 15 will open the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival.

"There is no greater excitement and privilege for a domestic author than to show their film at the Sarajevo Film Festival, and at the opening, in honor of the 31st edition. The atmosphere of our Festival is special, unique, and I sincerely hope the audience will enjoy the film, for which we have gathered a large, regional team of well-known actors. Authors and producers come from all over the Balkans. This is a film about the oldest generation that has decided to act according to their conscience in this time. They are staging a rebellion. Rebellions, as such, are usually varied. This one is special. When you watch the film, you will see why," stated director Dino Mustafić.

"Paviljon" is a black comedy about a group of residents of the "Pavilion" nursing home who, after years of abuse and humiliation, decide to stage an armed rebellion. Armed with illegal means, they take over the home, take the staff hostage, and enter into conflict with the authorities…

After two decades and the very successful debut film "Remake," one of the most watched in BiH, Mustafić returns to feature films with the story "Pavilion." Premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival, where it was declared one of the five best films, "Remake" was screened at numerous world festivals.

"Paviljon" is his second feature-length film. Mustafić is also known for a series of well-received documentaries ("Pista života", "Neka bude svjetlosti", "Čudo u Bosni", "Pogled umjetnika na prošlost", "Transforming tomorrow"...). Alongside film, Mustafić has also developed a theater career. He has directed in many regional and international theaters, and his plays have won multiple awards at numerous international, regional, and national festivals.

The film "Paviljon" was produced by Panglas (Bosnia and Herzegovina), in co-production with Cineplanet (Croatia), Krug film (North Macedonia), Monte Royal Pictures (Serbia), Natenane productions (Montenegro), and Realstage (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The film's screenplay is by Viktor Ivančić, and the co-screenwriter is Emir Imamović Pirke. Directors of photography are Almir Đikoli and Mustafa Mustafić, editor Vladimir Gojun, music composer Bojan Zulfikarpašić, costume designer Zhaklina Krstevska, and production designer Mirna Ler. The acting ensemble includes Rade Šerbedžija, Zijah Sokolović, Miralem Zubčević, Ksenija Pajić, Jasna Diklić, Branka Petrić, Meto Jovanovski, Vladimir Jurc Lali, Kaća Dorić, Muhamed Bahonjić, Ivo Barišić, Ermin Bravo, Alban Ukaj, Nikša Butijer, Vedrana Božinović, Mirjana Karanović, Ermin Sijamija, Aleksandar Seksan, Snežana Vidović, Selma Mehanović, Zlatan Školjić, Adis Mehanović, Siniša Vidović, Faketa Salihbegović-Avdagić, Ivica Šarić, Mugdim Avdagić, Sabina Kulenović, and Ana Novaković.

The film's producers are Mustafa Mustafić, Ishak Jalimam, and Rusmir Efendić; co-producers are Igor Vranjković, Dejan Krajčevski, Bojana Maljević, and Dušan Kovačević.

The film was made with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton, the Sarajevo Film Fund, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, the Film Agency of North Macedonia, the Film Centre of Serbia, the Film Centre of Montenegro, and in co-production with BH Telecom.

The 31st Sarajevo Film Festival will be held from August 15 to 22, 2025.