17th SARAJEVO YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL

Overview

The Sarajevo Youth Film Festival has been promoting debutants and young filmmakers from the region and Europe for 16 years. OFF has so far presented close to 200 new young authors from around the world and close to 600 films. On average, the annual Festival features 50 authors from 11 countries. Every year, the Festival gathers an increasing number of young authors and guests who recognize the Festival's commitment to short student professional and amateur film, topics important to the world around us and commitment and focus on new ideas and people. Over 40,000 people from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region have visited the festival in the last 14 years. On average, the Festival is represented by 200 accredited guests (per Festival) and dozens of journalist teams, of which 5 are international eminent media that cover festival events, programs and activities. young people, not ignoring the importance of the older generations in the process of presenting the film as the optimal solution to all the problems that the current generation is facing. The organization of the Festival is certainly one of the youngest festival - production teams in Europe, with an average age of 25. The Sarajevo Youth Film Festival focuses on regional and European short student and short professional films. The goal is to promote young filmmakers from Southeast Europe and create a platform and environment within which they can present their professional and amateur films and gain new contacts and connections for further action. In previous years, the Youth Film Festival Sarajevo proved to be an unavoidable and unique event for young people that brings together authors and guests from more than 10 countries in one edition and this is one of the main reasons why we feel the need and duty to do such a festival. Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the region in which it is located, is a country that attaches very little importance and attention to young people, especially young people who are involved in film and any other art. The Sarajevo Youth Film Festival wants to address these problems and shortcomings. In addition to the standard film competition program, OFF focuses on education and the acquisition of new knowledge through the prism of film and art about current and important issues that afflict young generations. The goal of the Festival is to revive a healthy competitive spirit and enable young filmmakers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region and Europe to meet, exchange experiences and make new acquaintances, and to gain new skills and knowledge by presenting their works. What everyone recognizes about the Sarajevo Youth Film Festival is the love for short films, but also for the unique locations of our open-air cinemas. Ambiences of unconventional cinema spaces and unique atmospheres when watching movies are our trademarks. The unique ambience of the Yellow Bastion, the most attractive city lookout and the beautiful hall of the House of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where our open-air cinemas are located, are unique moments that everyone remembers fondly.

Last updated Sep 18, 2026

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