For the 2026 edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival, CinemaNext has once again brought its technical expertise to one of Southeast Europe's most important film events.
The week-long festival opened with Paweł Pawlikowski's “Fatherland," which earned the him the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The opening-night gala at the National Theatre Sarajevo — along with the film's simultaneous screenings at the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema, the UNIQA Open Air Cinema Stari Grad, the Open Air Cinema Centar "Safet Zajko," the Grbavica Cinema and the Ilidža Picnic Cinema — came to life through the close collaboration between cinema operator Cineplexx and CinemaNext as integrator.
Behind the scenes, CinemaNext Austria's Christof Federle led a team of experienced technicians from across Austria, Hungary and Croatia, working around the clock to deliver flawless picture and sound, from the red-carpet premiere through the rest of the festival.
This year also brings a milestone: the festival's first-ever Prix Cineplexx, created in partnership with Cineplexx, the leading cinema chain in Southeast Europe. Designed to connect festival recognition with a film's theatrical life, the award reflects a shared commitment to supporting films beyond the festival circuit and into cinemas.
Chosen by the festival audience, the Prix Cineplexx will be awarded to the best film in the Open Air Premiere programme. It carries a total value of €20,000: €15,000 in marketing services across Cineplexx cinemas to support the winning film's theatrical release, plus €5,000 in cash for the producer.
📅 The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival runs 14–21 August 2026.
Proud to support cinema that lives on well past the festival. 👏
CinemaNext Powers 2026 Sarajevo Film Festival