The 31st Sarajevo Film Festival will open on August 15 with the world premiere of the Bosnian film „The Pavilion“, directed by Dino Mustafić.
“There is no greater excitement or privilege for a local filmmaker than to present their film at the Sarajevo Film Festival – and to do so at the opening, in honor of the Festival’s 31st edition. The atmosphere of our Festival is special and unique, and I sincerely hope the audience will enjoy a film that brought together a large regional cast of well-known actors. Both the authors and producers come from across the Balkans. This is a film about the oldest generation who have chosen to act according to their conscience in today’s world. They rise up in rebellion. And rebellions, by nature, come in all forms. This one is different. Once you see the film, you’ll understand why,” said director Dino Mustafić.
The Pavilion is a dark comedy about a group of residents in a retirement home who, after years of abuse and humiliation, decide to stage an armed revolt. Armed with illegal weapons, they take over the home, hold the staff hostage, and clash with the authorities…
Two decades after his highly successful debut feature film “Remake” – one of the most-watched films in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Mustafić returns to feature filmmaking with “The Pavilion”. Premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival, where it was named one of the top five films, “Remake” was screened at numerous international festivals. “The Pavilion” is his second feature film. Mustafić is also well known for his acclaimed documentaries (“The Runway of Life”, “Let There Be Light”, “Miracle in Bosnia”, “An Artist’s View of the Past”, “Transforming tomorrow”…). In addition to film, Mustafić has developed a strong theatre career, having directed in many regional and international theaters, with his productions winning numerous awards at international, regional, and national festivals.
“The Pavilion” was produced by Panglas (Bosnia and Herzegovina), in co-production with Cineplanet (Croatia), Krug Film (North Macedonia), Monte Royal Pictures (Serbia), Natenane Productions (Montenegro), and Realstage (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
The screenplay is written by Viktor Ivančić, with Emir Imamović Pirke as co-writer. Directors of photography are Almir Đikoli and Mustafa Mustafić, editor is Vladimir Gojun, the music is by Bojan Zulfikarpašić, the costume designer is Zhaklina Krstevska, and the set designer is Mirna Ler.
Cast includes: Rade Šerbedžija, Zijah Sokolović, Miralem Zubčević, Ksenija Pajić, Jasna Diklić, Branka Petrić, Meto Jovanovski, Vladimir Jurc Lali, Kaća Dorić, Muhamed Bahonjić, Ivo Barišić, Ermin Bravo, Alban Ukaj, Nikša Butijer, Vedrana Božinović, Mirjana Karanović, Ermin Sijamija, Aleksandar Seksan, Snežana Vidović, Selma Mehanović, Zlatan Školjić, Adis Mehanović, Siniša Vidović, Faketa Salihbegović-Avdagić, Ivica Šarić, Mugdim Avdagić, Sabina Kulenović, and Ana Novaković.
The film’s producers are Mustafa Mustafić, Ishak Jalimam, and Rusmir Efendić; co-producers are Igor Vranjković, Dejan Krajčevski, Bojana Maljević, and Dušan Kovačević.
The film was made with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton, the Sarajevo Film Fund, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, the North Macedonia Film Agency, the Film Center Serbia, the Film Centre of Montenegro, and in co-production with BH Telecom.
The 31st Sarajevo Film Festival will take place from August 15 to 22, 2025.
