SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The 13th annual Sarajevo film festival, featuring 175 films from about 40 countries, has kicked off in Bosnia.
The festival drew its curtains open Friday with the world premiere of Bosnian author Srdjan Vuletic’s film, “It is Hard to be Nice,” said The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.
Prizes for Best film, best actor and actress -- as well as a special award -- will be given out by a jury led by Oscar winner Jeremy Irons.
About 10 films from southeastern Europe are entered.
The festival was created in 1995 during the siege of Sarajevo by Bosnian Serb forces and despite being under fire, the event has become one of the biggest in the Balkans.
Special guests this year include actor Steve Buscemi, French actress Juliette Binoche and controversial director Michael Moore, whose film "Sicko" will close the festival.
