Matthijs Wouter Knol, the esteemed CEO and Director of the European Film Academy, and Athina Rachel Tsangari, a pivotal figure in the Greek New Wave cinema movement and a producer for Yorgos Lanthimos, have been selected to join British screen veteran Emily Watson on the prestigious Sarajevo Film Festival jury. This high-profile panel will also include acclaimed Croatian filmmaker Igor Bezinović and the rising North Macedonian actress Sara Klimoska, who are tasked with adjudicating the feature film competition at the internationally renowned Bosnian film festival. The festival is scheduled to run for a week in mid-August, culminating in the highly anticipated awards ceremony.
Sarajevo Film Festival: A Beacon in Southeast Europe
The Sarajevo Film Festival stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring power of culture, having been founded in 1995 during the brutal Siege of Sarajevo. What began as an act of defiance and a symbol of hope has evolved into one of the most significant and influential film festivals in Southeast Europe, drawing international attention and serving as a crucial platform for regional cinema. Its mission extends beyond mere celebration, actively fostering new talent, promoting cinematic dialogue, and connecting the burgeoning film industries of the region with global counterparts. The festival’s feature film competition is a cornerstone event, offering a vital showcase for innovative storytelling and directorial prowess from across the globe, with a particular emphasis on films from the Balkan region.
Watson’s inclusion on the 2024 Sarajevo jury places her among a distinguished lineage of cinematic luminaries who have previously presided over the festival’s main competition. Past jury presidents and members include an impressive constellation of auteurs and performers such as Mike Leigh, Jeremy Irons, Asghar Farhadi, Ruben Östlund, and Mia Wasikowska. This tradition underscores the festival’s commitment to assembling juries comprised of individuals whose work has profoundly shaped contemporary cinema. The current jury will collectively decide the recipients of the coveted Heart of Sarajevo Awards in the feature film competition, with the winners set to be announced at the grand ceremony on August 21.
Distinguished Figures on the Sarajevo Jury
The composition of this year’s Sarajevo jury reflects a strategic blend of international acclaim, influential industry leadership, and burgeoning regional talent, promising a diverse and insightful perspective on the films in contention.
Emily Watson: A Career of Acclaim
Emily Watson, known for her intense and versatile performances, brings a wealth of acting experience to the Sarajevo jury. Her career, spanning nearly three decades, is marked by numerous accolades, including two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress. Watson first captivated international audiences with her raw and fearless performance in Lars von Trier’s 1996 drama Breaking the Waves, a role that earned her critical praise and her first Oscar nod. She continued to build a formidable filmography with memorable roles in acclaimed features such as Robert Altman’s Oscar-winning ensemble drama Gosford Park (2001), and more recently, A24’s God’s Creatures (2022) opposite Paul Mescal, and Small Things Like These (2024).
Her most recent starring role saw her portray Mary Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning historical novel Hamnet, further showcasing her range. On the television front, Watson currently leads the cast of the HBO/Max series Dune: Prophecy, a prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic Dune universe, and has recently concluded shooting for its highly anticipated second season. Her extensive experience in both independent and mainstream productions, coupled with her nuanced understanding of performance, will undoubtedly be invaluable in evaluating the competing films.
Matthijs Wouter Knol: Leading European Cinema
Matthijs Wouter Knol, a respected figure within the global film industry, serves as the CEO and Director of the European Film Academy (EFA) since 2021. His appointment to the Sarajevo jury underscores the festival’s strong ties with the broader European cinematic landscape. At the EFA, Knol is responsible for the executive management, strategic vision, and comprehensive programming of all current and future activities. This includes critical areas such as brand and audience development, facilitating knowledge sharing across the industry, championing film heritage projects, and overseeing the annual European Film Awards, which are among the most prestigious accolades in European cinema.
Before taking the helm at the EFA, Knol built a diverse career as a film producer, lecturer, editor, and journalist, hailing from the Netherlands. His deep understanding of film from various perspectives—creative, administrative, and critical—has made him a sought-after juror at major international film festivals, including those in Buenos Aires, Jerusalem, Istanbul, and Locarno. His presence on the Sarajevo jury highlights the festival’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of European film artistry and industry practice.
Athina Rachel Tsangari: Architect of the Greek New Wave
Athina Rachel Tsangari is celebrated as a principal instigator and leading voice of the Greek New Wave, a cinematic movement characterized by its distinct, often surreal, and socially critical style. As a director, screenwriter, and producer, Tsangari’s genre-bending films consistently explore complex themes of power, desire, gender dynamics, class structures, and alterity, challenging conventional narrative forms. Her debut feature, The Slow Business of Going (2001), was a pioneering sci-fi road movie shot ingeniously in hotel rooms across nine cities globally. This innovative work garnered several best film and best director awards worldwide and is now part of the permanent film collection at MoMA, solidifying its place in film history.
Her sophomore feature, Attenberg (2010), premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival, where it earned the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress and the Lina Mangiacapre Directing award, further establishing her as a formidable directorial talent. Tsangari’s 2015 film, Chevalier, won Best Film at the BFI London Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Independent Spirit Awards. Both Attenberg and Chevalier were Greece’s official submissions for Best International Film at the Academy Awards, highlighting her consistent critical acclaim. Beyond her own directorial efforts, Tsangari has significantly contributed to Greek cinema through her Athens-based production company, Haos Film, producing award-winning films such as Yorgos Lanthimos’s Kinetta and Alps, and Georgis Grigorakis’s Digger. She also served as co-producer on Richard Linklater’s acclaimed Before Midnight. Her latest feature, Harvest, a neo-western starring Caleb Landry Jones and Harry Melling, was filmed in the rugged Scottish Highlands and premiered at Venice in 2024. Tsangari’s innovative vision and profound impact on contemporary cinema will bring a unique and incisive perspective to the Sarajevo jury.
Igor Bezinović: Croatian Documentary Master
Croatian director Igor Bezinović is recognized for his distinctive approach to filmmaking, particularly within the documentary genre, where he often blurs the lines between fiction and non-fiction. He is best known for his 2025 film Fiume o morte!, a critically lauded work that garnered numerous accolades, including the European Film Award for Best Documentary, along with multiple AFA Awards (Adriatic Film & TV Awards) for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. His earlier documentary works, The Blockade (2012) and Veruda – A Film About Bojan (2015), both received the prestigious Oktavijan Award for Best Croatian Documentary Film, solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in regional documentary filmmaking.
Bezinović’s talents extend to feature films as well; his debut feature, A Brief Excursion (2017), premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival and went on to win the Grand Golden Arena for Best Film at the Pula Film Festival, Croatia’s premier national film event. His work is characterized by a keen observational eye, social commentary, and a willingness to experiment with form. His presence on the Sarajevo jury will bring a valuable perspective rooted in the rich documentary tradition and emerging narrative forms of Southeast Europe.
Sara Klimoska: Rising Star from North Macedonia
Sara Klimoska, an accomplished actress from North Macedonia, represents the vibrant new generation of talent emerging from the region. Her selection for the Sarajevo jury highlights the festival’s commitment to integrating fresh perspectives and recognizing the impact of rising stars. Klimoska’s latest leading role is in Sister Brother Manhole Cover, directed by the acclaimed Milcho Manchevski, which is slated for a 2026 premiere. This marks her third collaboration with Manchevski, having previously worked with him on Willow and Kaymak, showcasing a strong artistic partnership.
Her international film credits are rapidly expanding, including a role in Goran Stolevski’s You Won’t Be Alone, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and Housekeeping for Beginners, which screened at the Venice Film Festival. She has also appeared in international productions such as Eline Gehring’s Nico, Malik Vitthal’s Family Secrets, and Jason Lester’s Replay. Klimoska is a former participant in the Talents Sarajevo program at the Sarajevo Film Festival itself, as well as the corresponding initiative at the Berlinale, demonstrating her foundational engagement with leading film institutions. In 2022, her performance in the TV series Underneath earned her a nomination for a Heart of Sarajevo award, further cementing her status as a significant talent in the region.
A Blend of European Vision and Global Recognition
The careful curation of this year’s Sarajevo jury signifies a deliberate strategy by the festival organizers to marry international prestige with a profound understanding of European and regional cinematic nuances. The inclusion of Emily Watson provides a globally recognized face, bringing the perspective of an actor who has worked across diverse cinematic landscapes and with some of the world’s most innovative directors. Matthijs Wouter Knol’s role ensures a deep connection to the administrative and strategic heart of European cinema, offering insights into industry trends and artistic standards that resonate across the continent.
Athina Rachel Tsangari’s presence introduces a critical and creative voice from the avant-garde, someone who has not only shaped a national film movement but also demonstrated a clear vision for genre-bending storytelling. Meanwhile, Igor Bezinović and Sara Klimoska anchor the jury with perspectives rooted in the dynamic and evolving film industries of Southeast Europe. Bezinović’s expertise in documentary and hybrid forms, coupled with Klimoska’s rising profile as an actress working in both regional and international productions, ensures that the jury possesses a well-rounded understanding of contemporary filmmaking challenges and achievements. This diverse blend of expertise across acting, directing, producing, and film administration promises a holistic and deeply informed evaluation of the films competing for the Heart of Sarajevo Awards.
Elevating Regional Cinema on the World Stage
The announcement of such a distinguished Sarajevo jury immediately elevates the festival’s international profile and reinforces its standing as a significant event on the global film calendar. For filmmakers, particularly those from Southeast Europe, the opportunity to have their work judged by a panel of this caliber is an immense validation and a potential springboard for their careers. Recognition from this jury can open doors to international distribution, co-production opportunities, and further festival appearances.
Beyond the immediate impact on individual films and careers, the high-profile Sarajevo jury sends a powerful message to the wider film industry: that the cinema emerging from the Balkans and broader Europe is worthy of the highest level of scrutiny and appreciation. It underscores the festival’s crucial role in fostering cultural exchange, promoting artistic excellence, and providing a platform for voices that might otherwise struggle to gain international traction. The festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse narratives and supporting emerging talents is amplified by the caliber of the professionals it attracts, further solidifying its cultural impact both regionally and globally.
Anticipation for the Heart of Sarajevo Awards
As the Sarajevo Film Festival approaches, anticipation is building for both the program of films and the decisions of this highly anticipated jury. The festival, running for a week in mid-August, will be a vibrant hub of cinematic activity, featuring screenings, industry panels, and networking events. All eyes will ultimately turn to the awards ceremony on August 21, where the Heart of Sarajevo Awards will be presented. These awards are not merely accolades; they are often pivotal moments in a film’s journey, offering critical visibility and industry recognition that can define its future trajectory. The collective expertise and diverse backgrounds of Emily Watson, Matthijs Wouter Knol, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Igor Bezinović, and Sara Klimoska ensure that the selections will be made with thoughtful consideration, reflecting the best of contemporary cinema and affirming the Sarajevo Film Festival’s enduring legacy as a vital institution in the world of film.
