Jasmila Zbanic’s ‘I Know Your Soul’ Triumphs at Sarajevo Festival TV Awards

“I Know Your Soul,” a six-part drama series, directed by Oscar-nominated Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić, clinched top honors at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival. The series won best drama and swept various categories, including best directing, best script, and most acting awards. Žbanić, who co-wrote, produced, and served as showrunner, is also known for “Quo Vadis, Aida?” and “Grbavica”.

Premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year, “I Know Your Soul” narrates the story of Nervena, a prosecutor dealing with a divorce and raising her teenage son alone. She delves into a teen’s suicide case, triggering events that change her personal and professional life. Jasna Duričić, portraying Nervena, bagged the best actress award for her performance. Co-star Jelena Kordić Kuret earned the best supporting actress award in a drama, Mirvad Kurić won best supporting actor, and Lazar Dragojević was named the rising star in drama.

Serbian actor Žarko Laušević, who passed away last November, was posthumously awarded best actor in a drama series for his role in the World War I series “Time of Death”.

In the comedy categories, the Bosnian series “Smashing It” and the Serbian series “Radio Mileva” scored big, sharing the Heart of Sarajevo awards. “Smashing It” triumphed with best comedy, best actor for Alen Muratović, and best script for Elma Tataragić, Dušan Vranić, and Enes Zlatar. “Radio Mileva” saw Olga Odanović win best actress in the comedy sector, Elmir Jukić taking best directing in a comedy, and Kris Gavrić receiving the rising star award in comedy.

The Sarajevo festival evaluated series from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Slovenia, all premiered between April 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Selection was done by a professional jury comprising film and TV experts.

Full list of winners:

Best Drama Series
I Know Your Soul

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Jasna Đuričić for I Know Your Soul

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Žarko Laušević for Time of Death

Best Supporting Role – Actress in a Drama Series
Jelena Kordić Kuret for I Know Your Soul

Best Supporting Role – Actor in a Drama Series
Mirvad Kurić for I Know Your Soul

Rising Star – Drama Series
Lazar Dragojević for I Know Your Soul

Best Script – Drama Series
Jasmila Žbanić and Elma Tataragić for I Know Your Soul

Best Directing – Drama Series
Nermin Hamzagić for I Know Your Soul

Best Comedy
Smashing It

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Olga Odanović for Radio Mileva

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Alen Muratović for Smashing It

Rising Star – Comedy
Kris Gavrić for Radio Mileva

Best Script – Comedy
Elma Tataragić, Dušan Vranić, Enes Zlatar for Smashing It

Best Directing – Comedy
Elmir Jukić for Radio Mileva

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