Why Sarajevo Is a Must-Visit for Industry Tastemakers Seeking Fresh Balkan Voices

For over twenty years, CineLink Industry Days, the professional counterpart to the Sarajevo Film Festival, has flourished into a premier film and TV industry event in the Balkan region. It stands as a cradle of talent from Southeast Europe and various other regions, crucial for industry executives seeking new cinematic voices.

This mid-summer spectacle, scheduled from Aug. 17 – 22 this year, follows the Locarno Film Festival and precedes Venice and Toronto. It’s perfectly placed on the calendar. Maša Marković, in her third year as head of industry for the festival, describes Sarajevo as “not too big, but not small at all,” creating an ambiance that it’s “the place to be.”

Marković attributes the event’s success to its “curational approach,” ensuring the selection for its CineLink Co-Production Market and the invited guests offers filmmakers, distributors, and other industry leaders the best use of their time in Sarajevo. “[It’s] the place where you have the chance to be present and dedicate your time to people and projects that you want to do. This is central to us,” she stated.

This year, the festival introduces significant changes for its industry arm. The main change for guests is moving from the historic Hotel Europe to the ultramodern Swissotel downtown. This shift is part of a broader plan to revamp the event, including the construction of a new open-air cinema and the creation of Festival Garden, an outdoor event hub.

Marković believes the changes will offer a “new vibe” for international guests and bring “more visibility to the industry” by hosting events in the city’s commercial center. “We have been there. Our biggest cinema venue is there. We are constructing a new open-air cinema there as well,” she explained, adding that embracing this quarter feels logical to bring the industry to the heart of Sarajevo.

This year also signals a leadership shift with the appointment of Ishak Jalimam as the new head of CineLink. Jalimam, an experienced producer, replaces Amra Bakšić Čamo, who ran the industry program since its inception and stepped down to focus on new projects within the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Described by Marković as “a child of the festival,” Jalimam is expected to bring fresh perspectives and a new dynamic to the market. His dual experience as a producer and festival manager provides him with unique insights into the needs of producers and how the market should react.

Under Jalimam’s guidance, this year’s CineLink Co-Production Market and works-in-progress strand have an impressive lineup. Returning participants include Philip Sotnychenko with his Ukraine war drama “Times New Roman,” Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova presenting “Mather/Papan,” and Aida Begić pitching her latest feature “Air in a Bottle.”

Thirteen projects in development will participate in the co-production market. The works-in-progress selection features new projects from Alisa Kovalenko, Adrian Sitaru, Tarik Aktas, Ralitza Petrova, Maya Vitkova, and Ana Urushadze. Among the highlights, Urushadze’s new feature, “Supporting Role,” should draw significant attention.

Participants will vie for several awards, including the €20,000 ($21,900) Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, the CineLink Impact Award of €20,000 ($21,900) in in-kind consultation services, and the CineLink Female Voices Award, which has doubled its prize money this year to €20,000 ($21,900).

The CineLink Talks program features a full slate of masterclasses, debates, and panel discussions. Key topics include the impact of A.I. on film production, the pursuit of a sustainable film industry, and strategies to turn Southeast European I.P. into global phenomena. Discussions will also address creating safe spaces and enhancing representation in the global market.

Marković emphasizes that “responsibility” is the overarching theme for this year’s event, highlighting efforts “to make the industry a safer and more inclusive environment.” This ethos aligns with the dual aim of CineLink and the Sarajevo Film Festival to create a welcoming space for all participants.

Such dedication has helped build a loyal community of filmmakers, with many regional talents growing alongside the festival. For both newcomers and established filmmakers, Sarajevo offers a supportive environment conducive to collaboration and creativity.

“Balancing between experienced co-producers and newcomers is essential,” Marković insists. It is this balance that allows the festival to serve a diverse range of filmmakers across the region. The Sarajevo Film Festival runs from Aug. 16 – 23.