25th Sarajevo Film Festival Presented in Zagreb

ZAGREB, (Patria) - The Velvet cafe gallery in Zagreb was the meeting place for artists, media representatives, numerous associates and friends of the Sarajevo Film Festival on Thursday evening, ahead of its 25th edition, which will be held from August 16 to 23. 

Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, Mirsad Purivatra, presented the jury for the Competition Programme – Documentary Film. The jury that will decide on the best documentary films consists of: Emilie Bujès from Switzerland, artistic director of the Visions du Réel international film festival in Nyon, Orwa Nyrabia from Syria, artistic director of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, and Nenad Puhovski from Croatia, director of Factum and director of ZagrebDox.

Purivatra emphasized that the 25th Sarajevo Film Festival will be held under the auspices of UNESCO.

"We are happy that UNESCO has also recognized the Sarajevo Film Festival as a guardian of cultural heritage and diversity. From its very beginnings, we have preserved the spirit through art, created new values, and pushed the boundaries of society and culture.".

In a letter from the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, it is stated that the festival shares UNESCO's values as an event dedicated to promoting dialogue and tolerance through art.

"I am convinced that the 25th Sarajevo Film Festival, with its programs, will contribute to the accessibility of film art to a wider audience and the strengthening of peace in Southern Europe," stated Audrey Azoulay.

The presentation of the Festival was also attended by the President of the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton, Nermin Muzur, who invited all attendees to visit the capital and attend the jubilee Sarajevo Film Festival.

"During the Festival, the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton records a record number of tourists. Last year, we registered 78,000 tourists in August. For comparison, we have about 48,000 tourists on average per month. Sarajevo changes its appearance and rhythm during the Festival. I invite you to come, feel the special rhythm of the city, enjoy the films and programs of the Sarajevo Film Festival, and be among the almost 80,000 satisfied guests of the city of film," said Nermin Muzur, President of the Commission of the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton.