The Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival in New York City has officially opened its 22nd edition, taking place from April 22 to April 25, 2026, at the SVA Theatre, presenting a diverse program of contemporary Bosnian-Herzegovinian, regional, and diasporic cinema.
This year’s BHFF features a total of 12 films in its competition program, including feature, documentary, and short films. The festival opens with Testament by Mirza Begović, while other highlights include The Pavilion by Dino Mustafić, as well as a number of documentaries exploring themes of memory, identity, and contemporary life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The festival once again brings together prominent filmmakers and guests, including Rade Šerbedžija, Aleksandar Hemon, Lidija Zelović, Aida Šehović, and Bojan Stojčić, who will engage with audiences through Q&A sessions following the screenings.
Award winners will be selected by a three-member jury consisting of Selma Selman, Isak Berbić, and Željka Blakšić. Awards will be presented for Best Feature Narrative Film, Best Short Narrative Film, Best Documentary Film, and Best Acting Performance, while audiences will also vote for their favorite film.
In their official statement, Artistic Director Amir Husak and Programming Director Dijana Jelača emphasized the importance of the festival at a time of diminishing resources for the film industry, highlighting the resilience and creativity of filmmakers who continue to create despite ongoing challenges.
BHFF once again reaffirms its role as a key platform for promoting Bosnian-Herzegovinian cinema internationally, connecting filmmakers with audiences in one of the world’s leading cultural capitals. The closing ceremony and awards presentation will take place on April 25.
