History

The first traveling cinema visits Sarajevo from 27 July to 8 August.

The first stationary cinema Apolo screens foreign documentaries and feature films.

Establishment of the first domestic distribution and screening company Taumatograf.

Antun Valić, pioneer of cinematography in BiH, produces the first domestic documentary films.

The first domestic short feature film Love in Sarajevo by directors Nikola Drakulić and Edo Ljubić.

Establishment of the public film company Kinema for film production, distribution and screening.

Establishment of the public film company Bosna Film for feature film and documentary film production.

Establishment of the Association of Filmmakers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The first feature film Major Bauk by director Nikola Popović.

Establishment of the film studio Bosna film – Jagomir. 

Establishment of the film company Studio Film for documentary film distribution.

Establishment of the film company Sutjeska Film for short film production.

The Yugoslav WW2 partisan film The Battle of Neretva by director Veljko Bulajić premieres in Sarajevo. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

The film Valter Defends Sarajevo by director Hajrudin Krvavac is one of the most popular Yugoslav WW2 partisan films.

Silver Lion for Best First Film for Do You Remember Dolly Bell? by director Emir Kusturica at the Venice International Film Festival.

Establishment of the Academy of Performing Arts with the Department of Acting.

Palme d’Or for Best Film for When Father Was Away on Business by director Emir Kusturica at the Cannes Film Festival.

Best Director Award for the film Time of the Gypsies by director Emir Kusturica at the Cannes Film Festival.

Establishment of the Department of Directing at the Academy of Performing Arts.

In besieged Sarajevo documentary films are made about everyday life under siege.

Establishment of the public institution Archive of Bosnia and Herzegovina for archive, research and screening activities.

The Department of Dramaturgy established at the Academy of Performing Arts.

The Sarajevo Film Festival is launched close to the end of the four-year siege of the city.

Opening of the Meeting Point Cinema, the first post-war art house cinema.

Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for No Man’s Land by director Danis Tanović.

Establishment of the Film Fund Sarajevo.

Silver Leopard for the film Fuse by director Pjer Žalica at the Locarno International Film Festival.

The Sarajevo Film Festival launches CineLink Industry Days as a regional hub for film professionals in Southeast Europe.

The Association of Filmmakers in BiH launches the BH Film Festival under the umbrella of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Tiger Award for the film Summer in the Golden Valley by director Srđan Vuletić at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Golden Bear for the film Grbavica by director Jasmila Žbanić at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Critics’ Week Grad Prix for the film Snow by director Aida Begić at the Cannes Film Festival.

Establishment of the public company Film Centre Sarajevo as a legal successor of the former Yugoslav companies Bosna Film, Studio Film and Sutjeska Film.

The first multiplex cinema Cinema City opens in Sarajevo.

Establishment of the Department of Production and Management at the Academy of Performing Arts.

Establishment of the first private film school Sarajevo Film Academy.

Un Certain Regard Special Distinction of the Jury for the film Children of Sarajevo by director Aida Begić at the Cannes Film Festival.

Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear and Bast Actor Silver Bear for the film An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker by director Danis Tanović at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The Sarajevo Film Festival has grown into one of the best film festivals in Europe. The 25th anniversary edition of the Festival attracts over 100,000 festival goers and over 2,000 film professionals.

Museum Valter Defends Sarajevo opens, dedicated to the 1972 cult film of the same name.

Sarajevo designated as a UNESCO City of Film.

The Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film for the film Quo Vadis, Aida? by director Jasmila Žbanić