By: Nevena Šarenac
The final preparations for the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) are being carried out according to plan, said today representatives of the Directorate of this festival, who highlighted the excellent cooperation of SFF with local communities, the Sarajevo municipalities where programs are being held for the most important film festival in the region.
Recalling that the opening ceremony will take place on Friday, 16 August, the Director of SFF Mirsad Purivatra said that there is great interest for tickets for all programs of the Festival.
”We are pleased that our message that we want to see the audience in cinema halls was met with great response of our fellow citizens. We expect a large number of guests. Going to the cinema, watching various movies and becoming acquainted with different cultures is something that we have to give to families and new generations”, said Purivatra at a press conference in Meeting Point in Sarajevo.
He confirmed that SFF has the full support of the local community, and added that ‘all of us want the best during the SFF”.
”What remains is to encourage people to go to the cinema, to enjoy the movies, after which they could stroll through Sarajevo streets”, added Purivatra.
He stressed that, in cooperation with security agency ‘Securitas’, and police units in Canton Sarajevo, a comprehensive plan was made on the best way to ensure the conditions for the safety of all visitors of the SFF.
”The SFF Directorate is extremely satisfied with all that has been done. During the SFF, we wish to create a positive atmosphere and convey a positive picture of the city of Sarajevo to the world”, concluded Purivatra.
The Assistant to the Mayor of Stari Grad Amina Deljković said that most of the festival preparations that are under the jurisdiction of the municipality are finished.
”We are currently working on cleaning and maintaining the streets, and we are trying to animate business people and craftspeople in order to portray a beautiful image of municipality Stari Grad during the nine days of the Festival. Certain establishments have received permission for an extension of their work”, said Amina Deljković, and noted that the municipality of Stari Grad financially supported the SFF.
Mayor of municipality Novi Grad Semir Efendić confirmed that this most populous municipality is eagerly awaiting the start of the SFF, which, among other things, would take place in open-air cinemas and multimedia halls.
Efendić called on all citizens to participate in screenings and to contribute to the SFF as best as they can.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton will, in cooperation with the SFF Directorate and other security agencies, continue to create a comfortable environment for all citizens of this Canton and visitors to the Festival.
”Within the legal jurisdiction, our police officers will conduct counter diversion schemes of locations where the manifestations of the festival will be held. After that, we will hand over all objects to the security agency ‘Securitas’, explained, among other things, the Ministry Spokesperson Irfan Nefić, who announced increased police control in the city during the duration of the SFF.
Also, he sent an appeal to all citizens to have understanding for such an event and to demonstrate their traditional hospitality.
Representative of Security Agency ‘Securitas’ Danijela Gogić noted that the 11 festival locations would be protected every day by 65 police officers.
”We are exerting our efforts so that the days of the festival, days of art and happiness will go according to plan. Cooperation of the agency ‘Securitas’ and SFF has been lasting for 17 years and so far there have not been any major incidents”, said Danijela Gogić.
Citizens from the capital city of BIH will from 16-24 August have a chance to show visitors to the SFF what they are really like-good, hospitable and grateful hosts.
Therefore, all that is left is for us to enjoy the forthcoming celebration of film!
