Title: Introducing the Prix Cineplexx: A New Award at the Sarajevo Film Festival
The Sarajevo Film Festival has recently introduced a new award called the Prix Cineplexx, which will be presented to the best feature film in the Open Air Premiere program based on audience votes. This award, established in collaboration with Cineplexx, a prominent cinema chain in Southeast Europe, aims to strengthen the connection between festival recognition and the film's theatrical release. The total value of the award is 20,000 euros, with 15,000 euros allocated for a marketing campaign in Cineplexx cinemas to promote the winning film's theatrical distribution, and 5,000 euros in cash awarded to the film's producer.
The Open Air Premiere program, a highly popular segment of the Festival, was divided into two sections last year: Open Air and Open Air Premiere. The Open Air Premiere section features the most anticipated works from the former Yugoslavia region and is presented at the UNIQA Open Air Cinema Stari Grad, which expanded its seating capacity last year. Cineplexx, being the leading cinema chain in Southeast Europe, is considered a natural partner for an award that recognizes the audience's choice and supports the theatrical release of regional films.
Jovan Marjanović, the director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, emphasized that the Prix Cineplexx award goes beyond its monetary value by providing significant marketing support for the winning film's theatrical release through a major cinema chain in the region. This award adds value to the Open Air Premiere program and offers tangible support to regional films beyond the festival itself. Christof Papousek, CFO and co-owner of Cineplexx Group, expressed pride in supporting the Sarajevo Film Festival, highlighting its cultural significance and the importance of promoting regional films through audience-driven awards.
The 2026 Sarajevo Film Festival is scheduled to take place in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina from August 14 to 21. The festival continues to celebrate and showcase the best of regional cinema, with the Prix Cineplexx award recognizing the audience's favorite film in the Open Air Premiere program.