Sarajevo Film Festival: Schrader to Lead Jury
The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival (August 16-23) has announced a renowned jury, led by American director-screenwriter Paul Schrader.
Schrader, best known for his collaborations with Martin Scorsese on films like "Taxi Driver" (1976) and "Raging Bull" (1980), will preside over the jury that will award the coveted Heart of Sarajevo prizes on August 23.
Joining Schrader on the jury are:
Noomi Rapace, a Swedish actor and producer known for her roles in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" (2009), "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (2011), and "Child 44" (2015).
Juho Kuosmanen, a Finnish director-writer who gained international recognition for his films "The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli MaÌki" (2016) and "Compartment No. 6" (2021).
Una Gunjak, a Sarajevo-born, Paris-based director, writer, and editor who won the Heart of Sarajevo Award for her short film "The Chicken" (2014) and whose first feature film "Excursion" (2023) premiered at Locarno Film Festival.
Sebastian Cavazza, a Slovenian actor with over 80 stage and screen credits, including films like "Men Donât Cry" (2017) and "A.I. Rising" (2018).
Schrader's own career spans decades, with directorial credits including critically acclaimed films like "American Gigolo" (1980) and "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" (1985). His 2017 film "First Reformed" earned him an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay. Recent projects include "The Card Counter" (2021), "Master Gardener" (2022), and "Oh Canada" (2024).
Rapace, a globally recognized actor, balances high-profile Hollywood roles with edgy international productions. She is also developing several projects through her production company Boom Films, including "Hamlet" with director Ali Abbasi, in which she will play the title role.
Kuosmanen, whose films have garnered acclaim at prestigious film festivals, has recently directed episodes of the TV series "Alice & Jack" starring Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson.
The jury's decisions will culminate in the awarding of the Heart of Sarajevo prizes, recognizing outstanding achievements in film. The Sarajevo Film Festival, a prominent platform for showcasing international cinema, will undoubtedly benefit from the expertise and experience of this diverse and distinguished jury.
