The Sarajevo Film Festival has introduced a new award: Prix Cineplexx, awarded to the best film in the outdoor premiere program and chosen by the audience.
The award was created in partnership with Cineplexx – the leading cinema chain in South-East Europe – to “further strengthen the link between festival recognition and the theatrical life of film”, underscoring a shared commitment to putting films in theatres.
The total value of the prize is 20,000 euros ($22,855), including 15,000 euros for a marketing campaign in Cineplexx cinemas to support theatrical distribution of the winning film, and 5,000 euros in cash provided to the film’s producer.
The open-air program is one of the festival’s most attended programmes, and last year it was divided into two parts: open-air and outdoor premiere. The outdoor premiere showcases the region’s most anticipated works from across the former Yugoslavia, presented at UNIQA Open Air Cinema Stari Grad, a venue that doubled its seating capacity last year.
As the leading cinema chain in Southeast Europe, Cineplexx is a “natural partner” for an award that honors people’s choice while supporting the theatrical life of regional films, according to the film festival.
“This award represents much more than its financial value,” said Jovan Marjanovic, director of the Sarajevo Film Festival. “In addition to audience recognition, the winning film receives significant marketing support for its theatrical release through one of the largest cinema chains in the region. This adds value to the outdoor premiere program and provides regional films with tangible support beyond the festival itself.”
Krzysztof Babošek, CFO and co-owner of Cineplexx Group, and recipient of the Heart of Sarajevo Award 2024, added: “For many years, we have proudly supported the Sarajevo Film Festival, one of the most prominent cultural events in the region and a film festival of great artistic, industrial and political importance. Our cinemas are dedicated to serving audiences with modern infrastructure and diverse film programmes. It is therefore natural for us to sponsor an award decided by the festival’s audience and dedicated to regional films.”
“We are really looking forward to celebrating the first winner of the Prix Cineplexx.”
The 2026 Sarajevo Film Festival will be held in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina from August 14 to 21.
