This year, the Sarajevo Film Festival’s Masterclass program offers the opportunity to gain insights from experienced film professionals. The Masterclass series will be held from August 17th to 21st, with sessions taking place at the Festival Center (Bosnian Cultural Center, Branilaca Sarajeva 24):
Entry to the Masterclass sessions is free, with tickets available online at tickets.sff.ba or at the Main Box Office of the Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnian Cultural Center, Branilaca Sarajeva 24). Tickets for the Masterclass sessions are already available and must be collected half an hour before the start of the session. The number of tickets is limited
MASTERCLASS CORD JEFFERSON / Saturday / August 17th / 10:00 – 11:30
Cord Jefferson is an award-winning screenwriter and director, an Oscar and Emmy winner. His film AMERICAN FICTION won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar and won five nominations, including Best Picture in 2024. He has also won Critics Choice, BAFTA, and Film Independent Spirit Awards. Jefferson is currently working on adapting the novel JUST CAUSE for Amazon Prime Video with John Wells and Scarlett Johansson.
Ennis Cehic will moderate the Masterclass.
MASTERCLASS ALEXANDER PAYNE / Sunday / August 18th / 10:00 – 11:30
Alexander Payne’s eight feature films have received 24 Oscar nominations, including four for Best Picture and three for Best Director. He won Oscars twice for Best Adapted Screenplay for SIDEWAYS and THE DESCENDANTS, and his latest film, THE HOLDOVERS, won Best Supporting Actress this year. Most importantly, he previously showcased two films at the Sarajevo Film Festival and is thrilled and honored to return.
Ennis Cehic will moderate the Masterclass.
MASTERCLASS ELIA SULEIMAN / Monday / August 19th / 10:00 – 11:30
In 1994, Elia Suleiman moved to Jerusalem, where he founded the Film and Media Department at Birzeit University. His first feature film, CHRONICLE OF A DISAPPEARANCE, won an award at the Venice Film Festival in 1996. His film DIVINE INTERVENTION from 2002 won awards at the Cannes Film Festival, while his 2009 film THE TIME THAT REMAINS competed in the same festival. In 2012, he made the short film DIARY OF A BEGINNER, and his latest feature film, IT MUST BE HEAVEN, won accolades at Cannes in 2019. Suleiman has been a jury member at significant festivals and has received many awards, including the Prince Claus Award. He is currently an artistic advisor for the Doha Film Institute.
Nebojša Jovanovic will moderate the Masterclass.
MASTERCLASS MEG RYAN / Tuesday / August 20th / 10:00 – 11:30
Meg Ryan, known for her comedic charm, gained fame as Sally Albright in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe. She starred in the romantic comedy SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE with Tom Hanks, earning her second nomination. Their last project together, YOU’VE GOT MAIL, also succeeded, earning her a third Golden Globe nomination.
She has also received accolades for her dramatic portrayals, including a role as the first woman soldier nominated for the Medal of Honor in COURAGE UNDER FIRE, and as a woman struggling with alcoholism in Luis Mandoki’s WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN, Recently, she returned to romantic comedies with the film WHAT HAPPENS LATER, which she directed and starred in alongside David Duchovny. The film was shot in Bentonville under strict COVID protocols and marked her second directorial project after ITHACA in 2015.
Danis Tanovic will moderate the Masterclass.
MASTERCLASS JOHN TURTURRO / Wednesday / August 21st / 10:00 – 11:30
John Turturro is an American actor and director educated at SUNY New Paltz and Yale School of Drama. He has collaborated with numerous prominent filmmakers, including Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and the Coen brothers. He won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in BARTON FINK and the David di Donatello Award. He is known for the cult character Jesus Quintana from THE BIG LEBOWSKI, which he reprised in his film THE JESUS ROLLS. Turturro has directed six films, and his film MAC won the Camera D’Or award. He has also been nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe, winning an Emmy for his role in the series MONK. He is currently seen in the second season of Apple’s SEVERANCE.
Alissa Simon will moderate the Masterclass.
