The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival officially presented Iranian film director and screenwriter Asghar Farhadi with the prestigious Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award. Festival organizers bestowed the honor upon the filmmaker at the historic National Theatre of Sarajevo on August 20. The ceremony celebrated Farhadi’s exceptional international career and his profound contribution to world cinema.
Festival director Jovan Marjanović praised the Iranian filmmaker during an emotional presentation speech attended by cinema professionals. Marjanović highlighted how Farhadi consistently creates intense dramatic tension from ordinary human interactions. He noted that the director carefully examines everyday domestic misunderstandings to reveal universal moral dilemmas surrounding personal responsibility. He also emphasized that Farhadi’s intricate storytelling transcends cultural borders while remaining deeply authentic.
Farhadi warmly accepted the lifetime achievement award and reflected on his enduring emotional connection with Sarajevo. He also praised the local audience for creating a uniquely supportive environment for international independent cinema. Farhadi previously served as jury president at the festival in 2018, when his film Everybody Knows was screened outdoors. This year, the festival organized a special Tribute Toprogram featuring his complete cinematic portfolio. The retrospective concluded with a public screening of his acclaimed masterpiece A Separation on Friday.
The recognition further underscores Farhadi’s position as one of modern cinema’s most influential filmmakers. He made Iranian film history by winning two Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. He also recently premiered his latest French-language project, Parallel Tales, at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
The award highlights Sarajevo’s growing role as an important cultural crossroads for European and global cinema. As part of the festival’s program, organizers also scheduled an exclusive masterclass with Farhadi at the Bosnian Cultural Center on Friday. Through initiatives such as these, the Sarajevo Film Festival continues to foster international dialogue by celebrating visionary figures in world cinema.