This may be the greatest edition of the festival so far, Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) Director Mirsad Purivatra said a day before the festival officially kicks off. 266 films from 56 countries in 18 programmes will be screened at several stages during the festival days.

The three guests, Purivatra said, are among the greatest names in the art of film today. Asghar Farhadi, who will chair the jury, Pawel Pawlikovski, whose film will open the festival, and Nuri Bilge Ceylan, who will present his movie and photo gallery he previously presented in world capitals such as London and Paris.

“I think this year we really do have crème de la crème,” he added.

Sarajevo Film Festival is becoming the most visited festival in the region. It is attended by representatives of the world cinematography but also by numerous tourists who come at this time of year to see selected film achievements.

“Sarajevo Film Festival confirms the status of the greatest and the most influential festival in the region,” said Purivatra, adding that the number of accredited media and the sold tickets speaks for itself. “That means we are growing bigger in every segment. We are happy that Sarajevo confirms that status.”

The Sarajevo Film Festival will run from August 10 through August 17.

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