Venice has Carnival, New Orleans has Mardi Gras, Boom has Tomorrowland - and Sarajevo has the Sarajevo Film Festival! It is without question the Event of the year in the city. For seven days, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a population of 400,000 is transformed into a metropolis that attracts tourists, filmmakers, film lovers and celebrities from the Balkans and the rest of the world.
Yes, Sarajevo is a city during the SFFhow we organise the film festival lovingly a different world. Sarajlije (the citizens of Sarajevo) take the week off to watch films during the day, mingle with people and party the night away. But how do you find your way between film screenings, events and parties? Don't worry, in this article I've put together everything you need to know about the SFF. So here is your very own personal festival guide: Everything you need to know if you are visiting the Sarajevo Film Festival for the first time!
When does the Sarajevo Film Festival take place?
Sarajevo Film Festival 2025
15-22 August 2025
History of the Sarajevo Film Festival
The Sarajevo Film Festival has an interesting history. It was founded in 1995, in the middle of the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War. Back then, it was held in the Bosnian Cultural Centre (BKC), an old Jewish temple with thick walls that served as a well-protected venue.
Although the organisers had not expected a large number of visitors, 15,000 people came to see 37 films from 15 different countries! An act of resistance and a signal to the world: we will not let our culture be taken away from us!
Since then, the Sarajevo Film Festival has become the most important film festival in Southeast Europe and one of the most important film festivals on the continent. Every year, more than 100,000 people come to the screenings and take part in the festival's programme, which takes place in the National Theatre and at various locations in Sarajevo and Mostar.
Take part in the Sarajevo Film Festival as a volunteer
If you are interested in the film industry, maybe even want to work in the film industry and want to take a look behind the scenes of a large, international film festival, volunteering at the Sarajevo Film Festival might be just the thing for you!
Volunteers receive a film pass for the duration of the festival and also gain experience in the organisation of major cultural events.
They receive, register and host guests and can also work in the press centre and on the festival committee. The volunteers are always a fun bunch, a mix of locals and internationals, and they play their part in making the Sarajevo Film Festival a success and the city a bustling melting pot.
How do I buy tickets for the Sarajevo Film Festival?
You can buy tickets for the Sarajevo Film Festival on the official website or at the official advance booking offices. You can find all addresses here.
Online sales start shortly before the film festival (usually around 10 to 14 days) and you can either buy a film ticket for the whole week or tickets for individual films. The tickets are really affordable - they cost around 12 KM (approx. 6 EUR) for one film.
At the moment the booking platform is not yet open and the participating films are not yet known, but I will update this article as soon as they are!
Pay close attention to the venue when buying tickets - the Sarajevo Film Festival also offers screenings in the city of Mostar and you certainly don't want to buy a ticket for a place you won't be at. Also find out where the screenings will be moved to in case of rain (and since the SFF takes place in the middle of summer, there is a high probability of a thunderstorm or two).
If you are an industry professional, student or journalist, you can accredit here.
Which films will be shown at the Sarajevo Film Festival?
In addition to international and European films, the Sarajevo Film Festival also focuses on regional films and series and awards special prizes. Everything from short films to blockbusters can be found at the festival.
Sarajevo Film Festival: Getting around on location
Sarajevo is a city that can be explored on foot. Most open-air screenings are located in the old town centre, for example opposite Sarajevo City Hall. After the evening film, cinema-goers head to the surrounding bars to continue enjoying the night. During the film festival, some streets in the city are even closed to traffic in the evening.
If you would like to travel to a performance further afield, you can either Bus and tram (connections can be found in the Moovt App ), take a taxi or even an e-scooter or bicycle.
Nextbike is a cost-effective Bike hire with various stations throughout the city. The only disadvantage compared to an electric scooter is that you can't just leave your bike anywhere, but only at the designated stations. If you prefer to travel by E-scooter want to be on the road, you can use the App binbin download. However, there are some areas in the historic city centre where scooters may not be parked.
Where can I stay in Sarajevo during the SFF?
Während des SFF ist in Sarajevo viel los und viele Unterkünfte sind Monate im Voraus ausgebucht. Die Preise pro Nacht können in dieser Zeit ebenfalls in die Höhe schnellen. Ich empfehle immer, statt eines Hotels besser eine Wohnung zu buchen, in der man auch in Ruhe kochen und seinen Kater auskurieren kann 🤭
Even if you can't find accommodation directly in the Old Town, you can still get from A to B quickly in Sarajevo. And in fact Baščaršija or near the National Theatre during the SFF crowded and noisy until late at night.
If you want more peace and quiet Marijin Dvor or Grbavica good neighbourhoods. Also Mejtaš and Bjelave are close to the centre, but quiet. Most film screenings are within walking distance from here. You can find a few recommendations for hotels and flats here.
There are also many nice bars and restaurants around Marijin Dvor that are not as crowded with tourists and cinema-goers as the pubs in the old town. Here is a list of my favourite restaurants in Sarajevo.
Events & parties during the Sarajevo Film Festival
This week is everywhere There's always something going on in the city. The film festival is to Sarajevo what the carnival is to Rio de Janeiro, and people wait all year for it - some locals take the whole week off to make sure they don't miss any of the fun!
On these seven days, all restaurants and bars are allowed to be open until 1.00 am, regardless of their normal and official closing times. The streets Zelenih Beretki and Branilaca SarajevaThe streets in which many bars and restaurants are located are declared pedestrianised, which means that the shops put tables and chairs on the streets and turn the entire street into one big party mile. Many also offer live music.
Apart from the party on the street, even shops organise their own small parties, the streetwear shop Royal With Cheese for example, has a DJ almost every year.
Great bars to kick off the night:
- Kawa for cocktails and a cool lounge atmosphere on the terrace
- Opera Be close to the red carpet and don't miss a thing
- Barhana for a drink in the middle of the old town and close to all open-air cinemas
- Sky One at the Marriott for fancy drinks before a fancy evening
Another street that becomes a party hotspot during the Sarajevo Film Festival is the Radićeva- Street - a short, tree-lined street with several bars and restaurants as well as the Summer Lounge which always takes place in Skenderija during the SFF. Also have a look at Sarajevo Matinée and Garden of Dreams for events this week.
And then of course there is the grand finale: The SFF closing partywhich takes place on the last evening of the film festival in front of the Eternal Flame in Titova Street. Entry is always free and the act is always a surprise that is only announced a few days before the party - the world-famous DJ Solomun or ARTBAT, for example, have played a set here in recent years! So if you're in Sarajevo on the last day of the Sarajevo Film Festival, don't miss it!
Sarajevo Film Festival: Extend your stay
Maybe you want to explore a little more of the country after your stay in Sarajevo - or you need a detox after a week full of films and parties.
So how about a short road trip out of the city to the Mediterranean south-west of the country, to the Herzegovina region? This 7-day road trip takes you to the beautiful city of Mostarbut also to the coastal town of Neum, where you can take a much-needed beach break after the hustle and bustle of the city!
Oder möchtest du lieber etwas Zeit in der Natur in den Bergen rund um Sarajevo verbringen? In Jahorina und Igman gibt es tolle Spa- und Wellness-Hotels – der perfekte Ort zum Entgiften und Ausruhen. Alles, was du tun musst, ist, von deinem Zimmer zum Spa zu laufen, um die schönen grünen Wiesen herum, zum Restaurant und wieder zurück 😃 Ich kann dir das Hotel Monti or the Hotel Nomad for a real spa weekend.
If you're looking for something a little more rural, the village of Umoljani on Bjelašnica might be just the thing for you. Koliba Umoljani offers beautiful mountain huts and is surrounded by lush, green nature.
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Travel planning for Bosnia-Herzegovina made easy
💸 What is the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the convertible mark (KM for short) is used for payment. It has been the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 22 June 1998 and was pegged to the German mark at a ratio of 1:1 until 2001 and to the euro since 2002. One euro is always exactly 1.95583 KM). The conversion is therefore very simple.
🇧🇦 What language is spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The official languages of the country are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian, but there are hardly any linguistic differences between them - I always compare them to German and Austrian. Serbian, however, uses Cyrillic letters, which can lead to confusion in the Republika Srpska part of the country. The best thing to do is to download Google Translate, which also allows you to take photos of Cyrillic menus or street signs and have them translated.
💉 Do I need international health insurance for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Absolutely! You should never, never, never travel without international health insurance. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also not in the EU, which means that your German health insurance covers the country. not with. I am always happy to recommend other travellers SafetyWing. For less than one euro per day, you can insure yourself here and also protect yourself against the risks of extreme sports, lost luggage and other travelling ailments.
📲 Can I use European roaming in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No, as Bosnia and Herzegovina is not in the EU, your roaming package does not apply here. You can either buy a SIM card locally at a kiosk for a few marks or simply get an eSIM like Airalo, which you can even use for other countries after your trip to Bosnia. You can download the Airalo app here.
🪂 Which tour operator is recommended for my trip to Bosnia?
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🗺️ I would like to travel without a travel agency, are there any ready-made routes?
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💦 Can I drink the tap water in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
You can drink the water in large cities without hesitation. Bottled water is recommended after heavy rainfall or flooding and in rural areas.
🛬 Where can I find the best flights to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
You can find the cheapest flights on Kiwi - where you can compare prices directly.
🏯 Where can I find the best accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Most accommodation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including private accommodation, is often offered at Booking.com set. In addition to hotels, you can also book flats or guesthouses here and directly support the Bosnian population with your stay.
🛵 Where can I book a hire car for my trip to Bosnia?
On Rentalcars.com you can choose from a wide range of hire cars and compare prices. I recommend that you always book with fully comprehensive insurance. The German driving licence is valid, so you don't need to pack an international driving licence.
This blog article contains personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something via the links, I will receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. Thank you for your support.
