Sarajevo Glams up For Start of Film Festival

The red carpet is laid down, the film stages set and the audio equipment has been checked and re-checked for the grand opening of the 21st Sarajevo Film Festival, SFF, which opens on Friday night.   

The Bosnian capital is brimming with thousands of tourists who have come to see the movie stars, feel the glamour and enjoy the latest film productions put on by one of the leading film festivals in the region.  

Altijana Maric, spokesperson of the Sarajevo Film Festival, SFF, told BIRN that everything was ready for the opening with the Portuguese film "The Second Mother", which will be presented on Friday evening.

"Such interest in tickets has not been seen. Some were sold right away after sales opened. This means that the audience recognizes the quality of the film selection," she said.

This year's festival will show 259 films from 57 countries and many will be films from the Balkans and Central Europe. Nevertheless, the main star and special guest of the 2015 festival is coming from Hollywood.

Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro will be promoting the film "A Perfect Day", directed by Spain's Fernando Leon de Aranoa, in which he stars alongside Tim Robbins and Bosnian actor Fedja Stukan, who will be the host of this year's opening ceremony.  

Del Toro will also receive the festival's traditional award, The Heart of Sarajevo, which in the past was given to stars such as Angelina Jolie, Gael Garcia Bernal, Steve Buscemi, Bela Tarr and others.

In addition to the film entertainment during the festival, Sarajevo is offering a rich night life with many parties and concerts organized every day and night in different parts of the city.

With thousands of tourists flocking into...