Sarajevo – 30th Sarajevo Film Festival concluded with awards ceremony, including the RCC-sponsored Heart of Sarajevo for Best Student Film awarded to Serbian director Nadja Petrovic for her movie “The Smell of Fresh Paint”. This prestigious award, presented during the brimming with anticipation and celebration closing ceremony, highlights not only the triumph of a rising filmmaker but also the festival’s ongoing commitment to nurturing new talents in the region.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Nadja. Witnessing the success of young talents from our region as they embark on promising careers at the largest festival in South East Europe - and one of the most esteemed in Europe - is both fulfilling and inspiring. We eagerly anticipate the future achievements of this filmmaker, confident that many more awards lie ahead.

The RCC has consistently championed the creative industry and cultural exchange, fully aware that these realms resonate deeply with the people of the region. Through art and culture, we forge connections that transcend borders, fostering relationships that go beyond mere memories of an evening, a week, or a single award. These endeavours not only enrich our cultural landscape but also open doors to new job opportunities, contributing to overall economic growth.

Since its inception in 2017, the RCC has proudly sponsored the Heart of Sarajevo for Best Student Film. Previous winners of this distinguished award include Anna Gyimesi from Hungary for "Falling" (2023); Klara Sovagovic and Josip Lukic from Croatia for "It's Not Cold for Mosquitoes" (2022); Alexandru Mironescu from Romania for "Summer Planning" (2021); Zeynep Dilan Süren from Türkiye for "The Great Istanbul Depression" (2020); Nikola Stojanovic from Serbia for "Sherbet" (2019); Hajni Kis from Hungary for "Last Call" (2018); and Neven Samardzic from Bosnia and Herzegovina for "Clean" (2017).

Supporting young filmmakers is just one of the RCC's continuous efforts and initiatives in empowering youth in the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans Youth Lab Project, led by a team of young professionals, promotes and facilitates dialogue between youth and policymakers, enhancing their role in decision-making. Additionally, RCC supports innovation and entrepreneurship through the Balkathon competition, which fosters digital solutions, and the Butterfly Innovation Award, which celebrates youth-led projects. These targeted actions, paired with RCC efforts to include youth in majority of its regional activities, aim to create better socio-economic opportunities, reduce brain drain, and build a more inclusive society across the region. 

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The Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) has long established itself as the premier film festival in the region, garnering recognition from film professionals and audiences alike. With its international scope, the festival places a special focus on South East Europe, shining a global spotlight on the region’s films, talents, and future projects. The festival’s high-quality programming, robust industry segment, educational and networking opportunities for young filmmakers, and the active participation of the international film community—including industry professionals, film creators, and media representatives—alongside an audience of over 100,000, all affirm its status as the leading film festival in the region.