30th SARAJEVO FILM FESTIVAL
16-23 AUGUST 2024
1. General
2. Programmes
3. Submission guidelines and materials
4. Selected films / drama series
5. Conclusion
1. General
1.1. Organizer
Obala Art Centar Sarajevo is the founder and organizer of the Sarajevo Film Festival. Sarajevo Film Festival is an annual event held at Obala Art Centar’s cinema and other venues.
1.2. Objectives
Sarajevo Film Festival is an international film festival with a focus on Regional cinema as stated below, as its specific aim lies in promoting and aiding the development of regional cinema and authors. Its goal is to act as the main meeting point where international and regional cinema converge in a spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange through the presentation of the finest and most recent achievements in world cinema. Sarajevo Film Festival dedicates its Competition Programme solely to regional film, showing World, International, European and Regional premieres of films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo*, Malta, Moldavia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
1.3. Dates
The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival will take place in Sarajevo and online from 16th to 23th August 2024.
1.4. Juries
Competition Programmes International Juries will be comprised of prominent representatives: filmmakers, actors and actresses, producers, film festival programmers, film critics and representatives of cultural sector.
Four international juries will be established, one for each competitive section - feature, short, documentary and student film. One jury will be established for Special Award for Promoting Gender Equality, and three juries for Partners' Awards.
The majority of jury members for each jury committee will come from countries other than Festival’s host country. No Jury member will be assigned if previously had taken part in the making of any film in the Competition programmes.
2. Programmes
The Board of Selectors chooses and invites films and drama series to be presented in Sarajevo Film Festival Competition Programme sections, as well as in several non-competitive Festival programmes.
Submission is open to films and drama series exclusively for the following programmes:
• Competition Programme - Feature Film
• Competition Programme - Documentary Film
• Competition Programme - Short Film
• Competition Programme - Student Film
• In Focus
• Avant Premiere - specialized for regional drama series
• Open Air
• Kinoscope
• Summer Screen
• European Shorts
• Children’s Programme
• TeenArena
• Dealing with the past
• BH Film Programme
Submissions for films/drama series will be accepted only if they fit the profiles of programmes listed above.
2.1. Competition Programme - Feature Film
The Sarajevo Film Festival Feature Film Competition is a showcase for the presentation and promotion of films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo*, Malta, Moldavia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Director of the film as well as the majority of authors must be from one of the above-mentioned countries as well as the production company of the film.
Only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction and animated feature films
• Priority is reserved for films that will have their World, International, European or Regional premiere in the Competition Programme of Sarajevo Film Festival
• It is necessary that films have not been publicly presented in regional countries listed above, with eventual exception of one national premiere in the country of origin and one festival of animated film in the region in case of an animated film
• Films must have been produced in 12 months preceding the Festival
• Films that have neither been presented in television nor on the Internet / VOD without geoblocking.
• When films have been presented online with geoblocking, our regular premiere status will apply.
• Films must exceed 60 minutes in length
The producer of the selected film is obliged to provide the presence of at least four members of the selected film's cast and crew (director, producer, lead actor(s) and/or actress) at the Festival. The film's director and/or producer must attend the Festival and present the film.
The cast and crew members of the selected film, who are present at the Festival, are obliged to promote the film by participating at official press conference, photo call, introduction prior to the film's screening and interviews with selected Sarajevo Film Festival media partners.
Members of the Competition Programme Feature Film Jury shall grant the following Awards:
• Heart of Sarajevo for Best Film - 16,000 EUR (the Prize is shared equally by the director and the producer)
• Heart of Sarajevo for Best Director - 10,000 EUR
• Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress - 2,500 EUR
• Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actor - 2,500 EUR
Note: All awards are including 10% taxes which are deducted before the payment.
In addition to these awards all the debut films in Competition Programme – Feature Film made by female directors are eligible for the cross-section Special Award for Promoting Gender Equality – 7,500 EUR provided by MasterCard.
Films are also competing for two partners' awards: CICAE and Cineuropa award. The Festival shall not be limited with aforementioned awards. In case of any additional awards the Festival will publicly announce it and include the eligible films into the award selection consideration process.
Award winners of the official Sarajevo Film Festival awards are expected to attend the Festival Award Ceremony to be held on August 23th, 2024. Award winners are obliged to mention the award as announced, nationally as well as internationally, in all publicity and promotional materials. All selected films will receive a certificate of participation in the Competition Programme.
In case the Festival is held exclusively on-line, equal participation is expected from the film crew.
2.2. Competition Programme – Documentary Film
The Sarajevo Film Festival Documentary Film Competition Programme is a showcase for the presentation and promotion of films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo*, Malta, Moldavia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Director of the film, the majority of authors and the production company of the film must be from one of the above-mentioned countries.
Only films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Priority is reserved for films that will have their World, International, European or Regional premiere in the Competition Programme of Sarajevo Film Festival
• Films must have been produced in 12 months preceding the Festival
• Films which, prior to Sarajevo Film Festival, did not participate more than two times in festivals or other public events in regional countries listed above, eventually with national premiere in the country of origin
• Films that have neither been presented in television nor on the Internet / VOD without geoblocking.
• When films have been presented online with geoblocking, our regular premiere status will apply.
• Films that were not screened on television in the countries of Bosnian/ Croatian/ Serbian language speaking territories. In addition, films from Bosnia and Herzegovina must not be shown publicly in Bosnia and Herzegovina prior to Sarajevo Film Festival
• Films of any duration
The producer of the selected film is obliged to provide the presence of one member of the selected film's crew (director or producer) at the Festival. The film's director or producer must attend the Festival and present the film.
Director or the producer of the selected film present at the Festival is obliged to, in addition to presenting the film at the official Festival screening, to promote the film by participating at the public spaces of Sarajevo Film Festival, like Docu Corner, as well as presentations prior and after the film's screening, and to be available to the media partners of the Sarajevo Film Festival for statements and interviews.
Members of the Competition Programme Documentary Film Jury shall grant the following Awards:
• Heart of Sarajevo for Best Documentary Film - 3,000 EUR (the Prize is shared equally by the director and the producer)
• Human Rights Award - 3,000 EUR (the Prize is awarded to the director)
• Special Jury Prize - 2,500 EUR (the Prize is awarded to the director)
• Heart of Sarajevo Award for Best Short Documentary Film – 2,000 EUR
Note: All awards are including 10% taxes which are deducted before the payment.
In addition to these awards all the debut feature-length films in Competition Programme – Documentary Film made by female directors are eligible for the cross-section Special Award for Promoting Gender Equality – 7,500 EUR provided by MasterCard.
Award winners of the official Sarajevo Film Festival awards are expected to attend the Festival Award Ceremony to be held on August 23th, 2024. Award winners are obliged to mention the award as announced, nationally as well as internationally, in all publicity and promotional material.
The Festival shall not be limited with aforementioned awards. In case of any additional awards the Festival will publicly announce it and include the eligible films into the award selection consideration process. All selected feature documentary films (60'+) are also competing for the Audience Award given to one documentary film. All the selected films will receive a certificate of participation in the Competition Programme.
In case the Festival is held exclusively on-line, equal participation is expected from the film crew.
2.3. Competition Programme – Short Film
The Sarajevo Film Festival Short Film Competition is a showcase for the presentation and promotion of films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo*, Malta, Moldavia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Director of the film, the majority of authors and production of the film must be from one of the above-mentioned countries.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction and animated films
• Films must have been produced in 12 months preceding the Festival
• Priority is reserved for films that will have their World, International, European or Regional premiere in the Competition Programme of Sarajevo Film Festival.
• Films cannot publicly be presented in regional countries listed above, with eventual exception of one national premiere in the country of origin and one festival of animated film in the region in case of an animated film
• Films that have neither been presented in television nor in the Internet / VOD without geoblocking.
• When films have been presented online with geoblocking, our regular premiere status will apply.
• Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length including credits.
The producer of the selected film is obliged to provide the presence of the director of the film at the Festival. The film's director must attend the Festival and present the film.
Director of the selected film present at the Festival is obliged to promote the film by participating at the official panels, photo call, and introduction prior to the film's screening and interviews with selected Sarajevo Film Festival media partners.
Members of the Competition Programme Short Film Jury shall grant the following Award:
• Heart of Sarajevo for Best Short Film - 2,500 EUR (the Prize is awarded to the director)
Note: All awards are including 10% taxes which are deducted before the payment.
Sarajevo Film Festival is also Oscar® qualifying festival for Short film Award. In addition, selected films in the Competition Programme for Short Film and European Shorts programme qualify for a European Film Academy nomination candidacy in the short film category as Sarajevo Film Festival is also a European Film Academy qualifying festival for short films.
The Festival shall not be limited with aforementioned awards. In case of any additional awards the Festival will publicly announce it and include the eligible films into the award selection consideration process.
Award winners of the official Sarajevo Film Festival awards are expected to attend the Festival Award Ceremony to be held on August 23th, 2024. Award winners are obliged to mention the award as announced, nationally as well as internationally, in all publicity and promotional material. All the selected films will receive a certificate of participation in the Competition Programme.
In case the Festival is held exclusively on-line, equal participation is expected from the film crew.
2.4. Competition Programme – Student Film
The Sarajevo Film Festival Student Film Competition is a showcase for the presentation and promotion of student films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo*, Malta, Moldavia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
The director of the film must be from one of the above-mentioned countries and the film must be produced by a regional film school, faculty or art academy.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction, documentary and animated films
• Priority is reserved for films that will have their World, International, European or Regional premiere in the Competition Programme of Sarajevo Film Festival.
• Films cannot be publicly presented in regional countries listed above, with eventual exception of one national premiere in the country of origin and one festival of animated film in the region in case of an animated film.
• Films must have been produced in 12 months preceding the Festival.
• Films that have neither been presented in television nor in the Internet / VOD without geoblocking.
• When films have been presented online with geo-blocking, our regular premiere status will apply.
• Films must not exceed 60 minutes in length including credits
The producer of the selected film is obliged to provide the presence of the director of the film at the Festival. The film's director must attend the Festival and present the film.
Director of the selected film present at the Festival is obliged to promote the film through participating at the official panels, and introduction prior to the film's screening and interviews with selected Sarajevo Film Festival media partners.
Members of the Competition Programme Student Film Jury shall grant the following Award:
• Heart of Sarajevo for Best Student Film – 1,000 EUR (the Prize is awarded to the director)
Note: All awards are including 10% taxes which are deducted before the payment.
The Festival shall not be limited with aforementioned awards. In case of any additional awards the Festival will publicly announce it and include the eligible films into the award selection consideration process.
Award winners of the official Sarajevo Film Festival awards are expected to attend the Festival Award Ceremony to be held on August 23th, 2024. Award winners are obliged to mention the award as announced, nationally as well as internationally, in all publicity and promotional material. All the selected films will receive a certificate of participation in the Competition Programme.
In case the Festival is held exclusively on-line, equal participation is expected from the film crew.
2.5. In Focus
In Focus is a showcase of exceptional films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo*, Malta, Moldavia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine which have already made considerable commercial success and/or critical success at film festivals worldwide.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction, animated and documentary films
• Feature films only - must exceed 60 minutes in length
• Not released before August 2023
• Films that have neither been presented in television worldwide nor in the open Internet / VOD without geoblocking
• When films have been presented online with geo-blocking, our regular premiere status will apply
• Submissions for films will be accepted only if they fit the profile of this programme
All the debut films in In Focus Programme, made by female directors are eligible for the cross-section Special Award for Promoting Gender Equality – 7,500 EUR provided by MasterCard.
2.6. Avant Premiere
The Avant Premiere programme focuses on high-end drama series from territories of Former Yugoslavia: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia. The programme showcases up to six drama series that are slated for broadcast in the upcoming autumn / winter season. As the programme is intended as a launch of each series, high publicity is generated and for each series the main cast is invited to present the series at the press-conference and Red Carpet of the Festival. The audience has a chance to vote for the best series and an Audience Award is presented.
Only those drama series that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Drama series must have been produced in 12 months preceding the Festival
• Drama series that have neither been presented in television nor on the Internet / VOD
• For the selection, it is necessary to submit first episode (rough cuts can also be considered), but to have at least two episodes finished for the Festival screening.
• Director, the majority of authors and the production company of the drama series must be from one of the countries mentioned-above.
The producer of the selected drama series is obliged to provide the presence of at least five members of the selected drama series cast and crew (creator, director, producer, lead actor(s) and/or actress) at the Festival. The director and/or producer must attend the Festival and present the drama series. The Festival will cover accommodation for three nights for present cast and crew members (5 persons at most). The cast and crew members of the selected drama series present at the Festival are obliged to promote the series through participating at official events, photo call, introduction prior to the film's screening and interviews with selected Sarajevo Film Festival media partners.
All selected drama series are competing for the Drama Series Audience Award given by the audience for one drama series. Award winners are obliged to mention the award as announced, nationally as well as internationally, in all publicity and promotional material.
In case the Festival is held exclusively on-line, equal participation is expected from the film crew.
2.7. Open Air
The Open Air programme boasts the Festival’s largest venue – the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema, where 2,500 patrons enjoy screenings of leading art-house, European and international feature films. The venue offers the unforgettable experience of watching films under the stars on the biggest screen in the region at top-quality projection.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction, animated and documentary films
• Feature films only - must exceed 60 minutes in length
• Not released before August 2023
• Films that have neither been presented in television worldwide nor on the open Internet / VOD
• Films not available on international streaming platforms/channels, BluRay and/or DVD editions
• Priority for world premieres with Director, actors and/or film crew on-site available
• International film submissions are welcome
• Submissions for films will be accepted only if they fit the profile of this programme
2.8. Kinoscope
Kinoscope presents challenging, experimental and genre-bending titles from around the globe (excluding Southeast Europe and the Southern Caucasus). The line-up features narrative and documentary films directed by established and new talented filmmakers. The programme features three thematical slates: Kinoscope Real, Kinoscope Surreal and Kinoscope.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction, animated and documentary films
• Feature films only - must exceed 60 minutes in length
• Not released before August 2023
• Films that have neither been presented in television worldwide nor in the open Internet / VOD
• Films not available on international streaming platforms/channels, BluRay and/or DVD editions
• Priority for world premieres with first and second time filmmakers
• International film submissions are welcome
• Film submissions from countries defined as Region in Competition programmes are not eligible
• Submissions for films will be accepted only if they fit the profile of this programme
All the debut films in Kinoscope Programme, made by female directors are eligible for the cross-section Special Award for Promoting Gender Equality – 7,500 EUR provided by MasterCard.
2.9. Summer Screen Programme
The Summer Screen Programme attracts audiences with a selection of narrative and documentary films from around the world that consider relevant social subjects and popular culture.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction, animated, documentary and experimental films based on popular culture
• Feature films only - must exceed 60 minutes in length
• Priority for European films
• International film submissions are welcome
• Submissions for films will be accepted only if they fit the profile of this programme
2.10. European Shorts
Short films compete for candidacy at the European Film Academy Awards in 2024 together with the films from the Competition Programme – Short Film. An international Jury appointed by Sarajevo Film Festival chooses a single candidate.
As the Sarajevo Film Festival is an Academy-qualifying festival for the Short Film Awards, the winning film from the European Shorts section will be eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film / Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Only films produced and co-produced in any of the European countries*. The film’s main production country must be European (please refer to list of eligible countries by EFA.)
• Eligible candidates (Director) to submit must be born in Europe or hold a European* passport as defined by the European Film Academy. The Academy board may consider non-Europeans provided they have a European refugee or similar status or have lived in Europe and worked in the European film industry for at least five consecutive years.
• Fiction, documentary, animated and experimental films.
• Films must have been produced in 2023 or 2024.
• Films that have neither been presented in television nor in the Internet / VOD without geoblocking.
• Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length including credits.
• Not eligible are candidates of the European Film Awards 2023.
*European in the sense of the European Film Academy, means geographical Europe, both EU and non-EU, including Israel and Palestine. Please refer to list of eligible countries by EFA.
2.11. - 2.12. Children's/MiniArena & TeenArena Programmes
The Festival continues in its aim and dedication to attracting our youngest audiences and educate future generations of film lovers. The MiniArena (for children 4 to 6 years of age), Children’s (7 to 12) and TeenArena (13 to 18 years) programmes present approximately 15 feature and 10 short films from all over the world.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction and animated films (documentary or experimental films are not accepted)
• Feature films must exceed 60 minutes in length
• Shorts must not exceed 30 minutes in length including credits
• Not released before 2022
• Films that have neither been presented in Bosnia and Herzegovina nor in the open Internet channels such as YouTube
• International film submissions are welcome
• Submissions for films will be accepted only if they fit the profile of this programme
2.13. Dealing with the past Programme
Dealing with the Past aims to increase dialogue about unresolved issues and topics from the conflicts of the 1990s in the nations of the former Yugoslavia. We seek to encourage public involvement leading to better understanding, and acknowledging and tolerating differences, especially among the younger generations. The programme presents up to six films followed by Q&A sessions and case studies related to the films.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction, animated and documentary films (experimental films are not accepted)
• Feature, short and mid-length films
• Not released before 2022
• Priority for premieres with filmmakers specialized in peace building, conflict resolution, reconciliation and investigative journalism
• International film submissions are welcome
• Submitted films do not have to be related to the conflicts in the region of the Former Yugoslavia
• Submissions for films will be accepted only if they fit the profile of this programme
All the debut feature-length films in Dealing with the past Programme, made by female directors are eligible for the cross-section Special Award for Promoting Gender Equality – 7,500 EUR provided by MasterCard.
The producer of the selected film is obliged to provide the presence of the director or protagonist of the film at the Festival. The film's director must attend the Festival and present the film. The Festival will cover travel expenses and accommodation for four nights for the director or protagonist.
2.14. BH Film Programme
BH Film Programme is organized in collaboration with Association of Filmmakers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Udruženje filmski radnika BiH) which is in charge of selection of the films. It is a showcase for the presentation and promotion of films from Bosnia and Herzegovina, made by Bosnians and Herzegovinians and/or about Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Unless otherwise specified, only those films that meet the following conditions may be considered for selection:
• Fiction, documentary, animated and student films
• Films of any duration
• Films must have been produced in 12 months preceding the Festival
• Films that have neither been presented on television in Bosnia and Herzegovina nor in the open Internet channels such as YouTube
• All the selected films with dialogues in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian or Montenegrin language are required to have English subtitles. If the dialogues are in other than mentioned languages the films are required to have both Bosnian and English subtitles.
BH Film Programme is competitive only for student films produced by film schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this program student films compete for:
• Best BH Student Film Award
• Special Jury Award
• Special Mention
The awards are part of the Sarajevo Film Festival Partners' Awards ceremony.
3. Submission guidelines and materials
3.1. Entry form, screener and additional materials
All submissions must contain the following:
• A duly completed online Entry Form
• Preview copy of the film / drama series
• Film/drama series submission fee processed for the programmes requiring payment
Requested in the online entry form are available press notes and publicity materials such as: Synopsis of the film/ drama series (in English), a statement of the director on the film/ drama series, biography and filmography of the director and full cast and credits list. In case an item is not available at the time of submission, it will be requested immediately upon selection.
Please note that if the Programmer evaluates your film and decides that it does not meet the programme section’s requirements, he or she may be able to move your film submission into the adequate programme section without sending any e-mail or notification about it. Please read carefully our film submission Rules & Regulations and submit your film accordingly. If you still have doubts in which programme section your film fits in please contact us for support at programmes@sff.ba
3.2. Submission deadlines
All entries for programmes Competition Programme – Feature Film, Competition Programme – Documentary Film, Competition Programme – Short Film, Competition Programme – Student Film, In Focus, Avant Premiere, Open Air, Kinoscope, Summer Screen, European Shorts, Children’s Programme, TeenArena, Dealing with the Past and BH Film, unless otherwise specified, must be submitted to the Festival for selection by May 24th, 2024.
The Festival is not obliged to view entries that are received after this date. The Festival is not obliged to offer comments or reasons for not selecting a film / drama series submitted for one of Festival's programmes.
3.3. Submission fees & obligations
To maintain professional, highly advanced and fast film evaluation/review process the Festival Selection Commitee is consisted of a team of film professionals handling several thousand of film submissions each year.
The Festival takes seriously the amount of work put into each film. Therefore, we are careful to ensure that each movie is duly reviewed.
The submissions fees, unless otherwise specified at the film submission page are as following:
• Competition Programme – Feature Film – FREE to submit!
• Competition Programme – Documentary Film – FREE to submit!
• Competition Programme – Short Film – FREE to submit!
• Competition Programme – Student Film – FREE to submit!
• BH Film – FREE to submit!
All other programmes open for submission:
• Feature length film and Middle-length film (60 minutes in length or more; 31 to 59 minutes in length) – 80 BAM or 40 EUR
• Short film (up to 30 minutes in length, including closing credits) – 40 BAM or 20 EUR
Before the completion of the film submission process and processing of the submission fees please liaise with your film crew, producers, sales agents and/or distributors to ensure the film has not been already submitted, or the film is submitted to the correct film section or if your film submission will meet all our eligibility criteria and will not be rejected. Festival reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
More than one films can be submitted. You must complete separate applications for each film you plan to submit, but can do so under the same Eventival account. Please note that you will be required to process the submission fee for each of your additional film submission, if otherwise not concluded.
Entry fees are stated in Bosnian BAM and in European EUR, the fee relates per one film title and are non-refundable. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify a submission, without refund of any kind, if eligibility requirements are not met including if eligibility status changes post-submission.
Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew, partners or donors) do not affect a submission’s eligibility.
3.4. Preview copy
Vimeo/ YouTube link with password valid by the end of August 2024 (if the film's/drama series original language is other than English, the Festival requires receiving on-screen English subtitles). The Vimeo link should be downloadable, with a valid password until the end of August 2024.
To complete your submission the Festival requires a preview copy. All films/ drama series must be presented in their original language and, where this language is other than English, preview copy must be subtitled in English (if not otherwise specified). Please note that submitting a DCP for previewing purposes should be authorized by the Festival. Please contact the Programme department.
In the event of an e-mail address change, password change or preview link change after submitting, you must e-mail the Festival at programmes@sff.ba immediately with that change so we may update your record. If the Festival is not notified of the change and the link is found to be inactive or the password to be incorrect, the submission may be deemed ineligible.
3.5. Announcements
All films / drama series presented at the Festival are selected by the Festival's programmers and invited through its programme department. In case the programming team decides not to include a submitted film / drama series in selection, filmmakers will be notified as soon as possible, and no later than 18th July.
The full screening schedule will be announced in August 2024, latest one week prior to the Festival.
Announcements of selected films / drama series as well as film programmes are at the discretion of the Festival.
4. Selected films / drama series
4.1. Participant obligations
Once the film / drama series has been selected and the invitation to participate at the Festival is accepted, film / drama series cannot be withdrawn from the Festival programme.
The invitation sent for each film in Competition Programme selected by the Festival must remain strictly confidential between the Festival Management and the Participant until such time as the Festival decides to make an official announcement in this regard.
The films selected for the Competition programmes will be screened on-line on Festival’s ondemand platform with geoblocking for territory of ex Yugoslavia (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo*) for 1500 viewers maximum.
Participation in the Festival requires the unconditional adherence to its regulations as set out here.
4.2. Catalogue materials
All contact persons of selected films and drama series will receive a request for catalogue materials upon confirming participation in the Festival.
In order to compile the Festival Catalogue, for each selected film and drama series the Festival must receive a duly completed entry form and requested materials: high-resolution screener file/link, synopsis of the film or drama series, biography and filmography of the director and a full list of artistic and catalogue credits and three still photos. The requested materials should be sent/submitted as soon as possible upon acceptance of the invitation. The Festival accepts no liability in the event that its publications reproduce inaccuracies in submitted materials.
In principle, the catalogue will include the following technical and artistic credits: original title, international title, country(ies) of production, year of production, premiere status, format, length, director, production company, producer, sales company, scriptwriter, director of photography, editor, production designer, sound designer, music composer, casting director, principal cast, synopsis.
The Festival may use all materials cited in this article for promotional purposes. Catalogue writings are entirely at the discretion of the Festival.
4.3. Publicity materials
The publicity contacts of the films and drama series participating in the Festival will receive a request from the Programming office to send publicity materials. These materials will be used in Festival publications and for distribution to the press and Festival guests.
After official selection of a film and drama series the Festival is qualified to use excerpts from the film or drama series, with a maximum of 3 minutes, nationally and internationally for promotional purposes (for documentaries and short films, the total duration of the excerpts is not to exceed more than 10% of the film running time). In the event that excerpts are not available, and it’s being understood that under no circumstances the entire print may be lent out, the Festival is qualified to copy, under its strict supervision, one or more excerpts from the film or drama series for promotional use prior to and during the Festival only.
For promotion of the entire selection and of each selected film or drama series, the Festival website is allowed to use any photo or digital clip (less than 3' duration).
Festival will also ask for the trailer of the film or drama series (YouTube link) and digital poster of the film or drama series.
4.4. Programming
General scheduling and the timetabling of both public screenings and press & industry screenings are entirely at the discretion of the Festival Management.
4.5. Subtitling
Selected films and drama series will be screened in their original version language.
The following subtitles are required for all selected films:
• English language films must have embedded subtitles or VF files with subtitles in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian or Montenegrin language
• Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian and Montenegrin language films must have embedded subtitles or VF files with subtitles in English language
• Films in any language other than English, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian and Montenegrin must have embedded subtitles or VF files with subtitles in English and Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian language
4.6. Formats
Festival screening format is DCP. Other formats only upon request, depending on the theatre.
If the package is encrypted, a DKDM or KDM should be provided, both for test and official screenings.
Presentation of other formats and video systems or delivery through any other type of disk, formatting or licenses requires the authorization of the Festival. Without this authorization, the Festival retains the right to exclude a film / drama series from the programme.
4.7. Screening copy delivery
All prints of selected films and drama series must arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina by July 29th, 2024 and must be made available for the entire Festival period, unless otherwise agreed. It is obligatory for the Participant to follow the Festival's shipping instructions (to be sent to producer, director or another representative).
The Festival will cover one way shipping costs for all selected films and drama series, unless otherwise agreed. The Festival will be responsible for customs clearance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
All prints will be returned within four weeks following the Festival closing date. As far as possible, the Festival will respect the wishes of Participants concerning return shipment of their film and drama series. Where print is to be returned to an address different to that of the sender, this must be clearly noted along with the desired date of arrival at the return address.
The insurance of film print goes into effect the moment the film/ drama series is received by DHL or another courier agent in Sarajevo. The insurance remains in effect until the film is re-shipped. Unless otherwise arranged, in the event of damage or loss of the screening copy during the Festival, the Festival is only responsible for the cost of producing a new screening copy based on current standard laboratory rates.
Damage to the film print must be reported to the Festival in writing within one month following the return of the print and prior to the film's next screening. Any claims will be judged by the reported state of the print.
5. Conclusion
Participation in the Sarajevo Film Festival implies acceptance of all aforementioned regulations and pre-selection conditions. Sarajevo Film Festival Board of Directors has the power to settle all issue not covered by the present Rules and Regulations.
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For more information, please check our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section.
Please address all additional enquiries to programmes@sff.ba
* This label does not prejudge the status of Kosovo and is in accordance with Resolution 1244 and the opinion of the ICJ on Kosovo's declaration of independence
