The esteemed Sarajevo Film Festival has officially revealed the distinguished panel of judges for its primary feature film competition. This year's jury is spearheaded by the celebrated actress Emily Watson, a previously announced and highly anticipated figure in the cinematic world.
Sarajevo Film Festival Assembles Stellar Jury for Main Feature Competition
In an exciting development for film enthusiasts, the Sarajevo Film Festival, slated to run from August 14th to August 21st, 2026, has finalized its jury for the prestigious main feature competition. The panel, set to evaluate a diverse range of cinematic works, is fronted by the acclaimed British actress Emily Watson, renowned for her compelling performances across various genres.
Joining Watson on this influential jury are several prominent figures from the international film community. Among them is Athina Rachel Tsangari, a leading light of the Greek New Wave cinema movement, celebrated for her distinctive directorial vision. Her film "Attenberg," released in 2010, garnered significant critical acclaim, securing the Coppa Volpi for best actor and the Lina Mangiacapre directing award at the Venice Film Festival. Tsangari's 2015 feature, "Chevalier," was recognized as the best film at the London Film Festival and earned a nomination for best foreign film at the Independent Spirit Awards. Most recently, her neo-western "Harvest," featuring Caleb Landry Jones and Harry Melling, premiered in competition at Venice in 2024.
The jury also includes Igor Bezinović, an award-winning filmmaker from Croatia, best known for his documentary "Fiume o morte!" (2025), which was honored with the European Film Award for best documentary. His documentary portfolio also comprises "The Blockade" (2012) and "Veruda – A Film About Bojan" (2015), showcasing his talent for impactful storytelling.
Adding to the diverse expertise of the panel is Sara Klimoska, a talented actress hailing from North Macedonia. Klimoska is set to star in the forthcoming film "Sister Brother Manhole Cover," directed by the acclaimed Milcho Manchevski, which is eagerly awaited for its premiere this year. Her previous acting credits include Goran Stolevski's "You Won't Be Alone," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and Stolevski's "Housekeeping for Beginners," screened at Venice, highlighting her presence in significant international productions.
Completing this distinguished assembly is Matthijs Wouter Knol, the current CEO of the European Film Academy. Knol brings a wealth of experience from his prior roles as head of programming for Berlinale Talents from 2008 to 2014, and as director of the European Film Market from 2014 to 2020, demonstrating his profound understanding of film industry dynamics and talent development.
The collective expertise of these esteemed individuals promises a thorough and insightful evaluation of the films in competition. The anticipation builds for the announcement of the winners, which is scheduled for August 21st, marking the culmination of the festival's main feature competition.
This year's Sarajevo Film Festival jury exemplifies a thoughtful curation of diverse talents and perspectives from the global film landscape. The combination of seasoned acting prowess, cutting-edge directorial vision, profound documentary insight, emerging acting talent, and extensive industry leadership ensures a rich and comprehensive approach to judging the main feature competition. It speaks volumes about the festival's commitment to recognizing and celebrating cinematic excellence across different facets of filmmaking. The festival continues to be a crucial platform for promoting film culture and fostering international collaboration, and this stellar jury further elevates its standing on the global stage. We can look forward to their discerning choices shaping the narrative of contemporary cinema.