The Sarajevo Film Festival is running 14β21 August 2026, drawing filmmakers, critics, and cinema audiences to the Bosnian capital for its 32nd edition. The festival is widely regarded as the most significant film event in Southeast Europe and one of the key platforms for emerging cinema from the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and the wider region.
Programme and Venues
The programme spans feature films, documentaries, and short films, with both competition and out-of-competition sections. Key competition categories include the Heart of Sarajevo awards for best film in the In Competition and Kinoscope sections. Past editions have launched films that went on to major international festival runs and distribution deals.
Screenings take place across multiple venues in Sarajevo:
- Open-air cinema at Metalac Square β the flagship outdoor venue in the city centre
- BKC Cinema β the main indoor competition venue
- Olimp film studio β used for world premiere screenings
Industry events, workshops, and co-production meetings run alongside the public programme, making the festival a working event as much as a cultural one.
Attending the Festival
Tickets for individual screenings are available from the festival box office. Industry accreditations give access to the CineLink co-production market and talent development programmes including the Talents Sarajevo workshop.
The festival takes place in the heart of the old city, close to BaΕ‘ΔarΕ‘ija, the Ottoman-era bazaar district. The timing in mid-August puts it in one of Sarajevoβs warmer months, and the outdoor screenings at Metalac Square are a highlight for visitors who want to combine a film with the evening atmosphere of the city.
Planning a Visit Around the Festival
If the festival is your reason for visiting Bosnia, timing fits naturally with a broader Balkans trip. We recommend building at least four to five days around Sarajevo given the density of historical sites, including BaΕ‘ΔarΕ‘ija, the Latin Bridge, and the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum. Our Bosnia 7-day itinerary shows one way to structure a week that takes in Sarajevo, Mostar, and the surrounding region.
For those arriving from abroad, the currency situation in Bosnia can be confusing β Bosnia uses the Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM), which is pegged to the Euro. Our Balkans currency guide covers what to bring, where to exchange, and whether cards are widely accepted.
August is also a strong month for the Balkans more broadly. If you are considering combining a Sarajevo trip with other destinations, our guide to visiting the Balkans in August covers what to expect across the region in terms of weather, crowds, and events.
The Sarajevo Film Festival continues until 21 August 2026. Screening schedules and remaining tickets are available at sff.ba.