Sarajevo Film Festival Under Way

The 23rd edition of the annual Sarajevo Film Festival opens on Friday, August 11, with a screening of Aki Kaurismaki's latest film The Other Side of Hope at the National Theatre and the Raiffeisen Open Air Cinema in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.

This is the second time that a movie by this Finnish filmmaker has opened the festival. His 2011 film Le Havre opened the 17th Sarajevo Film Festival.

The festival's 'Susan Sontag' square has been renovated and will proudly 'wear' the red carpet and host other festival activities.

The opening night gala ceremony at the National Theatre will be hosted by Bosnian actress Amila Terzimehic. Famous American director Oliver Stone and legendary British comedian John Cleese will this year receive Honorary Heart of Sarajevo for their remarkable contribution to the art of film.

The award "honours an individual for exceptional contribution to the affirmation and development of film and support in the development of the Sarajevo Film Festival". Previous award winners include Robert de Niro, Benicio del Toro, Steve Buscemi and Angelina Jolie.

The complete official programme for this year's festival was released at the end of July. With 18 programmes, the festival will screen a total 235 movies including 70 documentaries and 28 animated films, according to the festival press service.

The festival will screen works from 54 countries and boasts 23 international premieres.

Director and founder of the festival, Mirsad Purivatra, described this year's edition as screening films for "all souls and all generations".

"We are organising the festival in order for the audience to watch movies, and that is our message. I am especially pleased that we...