The V4 Film Days officially opened on Wednesday evening in Sarajevo, with a ceremony hosted at Kino Meeting Point. The event marked the beginning of Hungary’s presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4), which it will chair for the seventh time from 1 July 2025 under the motto “Competitive Visegrad.”
In his opening address, the Ambassador of Hungary to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Krisztián Posa, expressed his gratitude to the embassies of Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to the staff of Kino Meeting Point, for their support and cooperation in organizing the festival.
“It is a great honor and pleasure for me to welcome you tonight at the opening ceremony of the V4 Film Days,” said Posa. “While Hungary’s chairmanship will focus on competitiveness, regional stability, and connectivity, tonight I would rather give you a glimpse into the long and proud history of Hungarian cinema.”
Ambassador Posa reflected on Hungary’s significant role in the development of global film, noting that Hungarians have been involved in filmmaking since 1896 – just months after the world premiere of the first silent films in Paris. He reminded the audience that many Hungarian filmmakers, driven by war and political persecution, emigrated to the West and helped shape Hollywood itself. Among them were Michael Curtiz (Mihály Kertész), the director of Casablanca; Adolph Zukor, founder of Paramount Pictures; William Fox, founder of 20th Century Fox; and Andy Vajna, the producer behind films such as Rambo, Terminator, and Evita.
Today, Posa noted, Hungary stands as one of Europe’s leading film production hubs, thanks to its world-class studios – Korda, Origo, and Stern – which have hosted nearly a hundred major international productions over the past two decades, including Inferno, The Martian, Die Hard 5, Dune, and Black Widow.
The opening night of the V4 Film Days featured the screening of the Hungarian hit “Gone Running”, directed by Gábor Herendi. Since its release in November 2024, the film has become one of the most-watched Hungarian comedies of the past decade, appealing to both younger and older audiences alike.
“Hungarian, Slovak, Czech, and Polish films share a common Central European story that resonates deeply with all of us in this region,” Posa told Sarajevo Times ahead of the screening. “Cultural cooperation like this shows how strong the ties are between Central Europe and the Western Balkans. Through film, we can highlight what connects us, celebrate our differences, and enjoy the beauty of both.”
He emphasized that Central European cinema offers a unique perspective that enriches European film as a whole: “Our humor and our way of life are closer than we think.”
”Gone Running” follows Vera and her husband who have been ticking off their bucket list, but just as they near the finish, her husband passes away unexpectedly, leaving one final challenge unfulfilled. Determined to honor his last wish, Vera decides to run a marathon relay with her three daughters. There’s just one catch: none of them are physically—or mentally—prepared for such a challenge. Emma, the youngest, struggles to find her place at work and in her personal life. Dorina, the eldest, focuses on her career instead of her family. Kata, the middle daughter, juggles motherhood while yearning for her longtime partner to finally propose. Despite these challenges, Vera enlists the help of a trainer and sets out to achieve the seemingly impossible. For the run, Vera asks a trainer. The seemingly impossible undertaking of the mother and her daughters takes relatives and friends by surprise, but Vera is very determined.
The V4 Film Days will continue with screenings of films from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, offering Sarajevo audiences a glimpse into the rich and diverse cinematic traditions of the Visegrad countries.
