The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo and Tribute to programme of 26th Sarajevo Film Festival dedicated to Michel Franco

"Mexican director, writer and producer Michel Franco will be awarded the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award at the 26th Sarajevo Film Festival, taking place from 14th to 21st of August 2020. " opens up the latest press release issued by Sarajevo Film Festival, from 13th of July 2020. language. Franco will also be honoured with a retrospective of all of his feature-length films in the Festival’s Tribute to Programme.

Michel Franco, born in Mexico City in 1979, is one of the most significant directors that put Mexican cinema in the global spotlight. His filmography includes works as Chronic - Best Screenplay Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, April's Daughter - Jury Prize, in Certain Regard at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival- as well as After Lucia - Un Certain Regard at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

“Honoring Franco with this Award is even more special to me as it will be given to a friend, expressing also how much his support of Sarajevo Film Festival throughout the years and our collaboration means to me and the Festival. We are delighted that the 26th Sarajevo Film Festival edition will highlight work of such exceptional filmmaker through the Festival’s Tribute to programme”: stated Mirsad Purivatra, the director of Sarajevo Film Festival.

Besides this news, the festival issued a short statement regarding their concerns and responsibility related to the current COVID-19 situation: 

“Covid-19 has affected all aspects of life worldwide, and the Sarajevo Film Festival has thus been required to go through a transformation as well. That means smaller groups, fewer guests, no receptions and parties as we know it, but as always, lots of high-quality films, great screenings and film talks. Our mission remains the same as it has been since the day our festival was founded in a besieged city – to celebrate life, humanity and the arts. Now, once again, we have an opportunity to use culture to fight adversity – by organizing a festival in line with the advice of health experts and behaving responsibly within well-defined guidelines, we can show how social cohesion can be built even when we need to maintain physical distance.”