The 31st Sarajevo Film Festival is set to commence on August 15, 2025, with the world premiere of Dino Mustafić's Bosnian dark comedy, 'The Pavilion.' The film, adapted from Viktor Ivančić's novella, centers on elderly residents of a retirement home who, after enduring years of mistreatment, plan and execute an armed uprising against their caregivers.
The ensemble cast features internationally acclaimed actor Rade Šerbedžija, known for his roles in major Hollywood productions. Director Mustafić, returning to feature filmmaking after a two-decade hiatus, expressed his enthusiasm for debuting 'The Pavilion' in his native Sarajevo. The film aims to blend humor with social commentary, addressing themes of corruption, avarice, and the misuse of authority. 'The Pavilion' is a significant co-production involving Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Principal photography for the film began on September 13, 2023, in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a second phase concluding in March 2024. The film's production budget was approximately 532,735 EUR.
The Sarajevo Film Festival, established in 1995 during the siege of Sarajevo, has grown into a premier cinematic event in Southeast Europe. The festival will run from August 15 to August 22, 2025, attracting filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles from across the globe.