Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) founder Mirsad Purivatra is stepping down as director of the event after 27 years, and handing the reins over to his co-director and deputy Jovan Marjanovic.
Purivatra will take on the position of president of the Obala Art Centar Association, the umbrella organisation behind the festival.
“I am proud of everything we have accomplished over the last 27 years,” said Purivatra, who started the festival in 1995 while the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian war was still ongoing. ”We started from nothing, when our city was under siege, and today we are a globally renowned institution attended by filmmakers and film industry professionals from the region and the whole world.
“We have faced many challenges on this journey. Our strong teamwork has turned challenges into successful projects by always setting and attaining high standards. All along we have been dedicated to our mission to discover, support and promote local and regional film authors and industries. I am happy that the Sarajevo Film Festival is now a part of many success stories about BiH film and regional film.”
Among the filmmakers the departing director said he is most proud to have welcomed to the festival are Pawel Pawlikowski, Isabelle Huppert, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Alfonso Cuaron and last year’s guests Wim Wenders and U2 singer Bono.
Regarding his future role at the Obala Art Centar, Purivatra said, “I will remain a part of the team that will take care of its healthy development and all strategic courses of action. My decision to leave the director’s position will give me time to pursue some ideas that I have not had time for before. My passion and energy will remain invested in projects in the field of film and creative industries. One of them is the already established creative hub Ponta Lopud.”
Purivatra described Marjanovic as “a child of the festival…He grew up with the Sarajevo Film Festival, demonstrated true talent for the creative industry, graduated from prestigious schools, developed an excellent network in the film industry and I believe he will be a great leader capable of leading the team and the Festival in the right direction,” said Purivatra.
Marjanovic has worked at the festival for over 20 years, most recently as head of industry and also co-director in the last year with Purivatra.
He will take over as festival director on Tuesday (February 15), with further appointments to come next month; when Marjanovic will also set out his plans for the 2022 edition of the festival, which will run from August 12-19.
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