The association "Aktion - Leben und Lernen in Bosnien e.V." is the founder and organiser of the 5th International Film Festival BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LOOKS AROUND. The festival is an annual event in Bottrop (Germany). Films of the main competition will be shown on 28.10 in front of our audience. The films of the student competition will be streamed. Winners of both competitions will be shown in the cinema on Sunday 29.10.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LOOKS AROUND is a theme-centred film festival with a focus on the past, present and future of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the ex-Yugoslav countries. All the films presented have a corresponding thematic reference. As a rule, most of the participating filmmakers are originally from one of these countries. However, our competitions are generally open to films produced worldwide with reference to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

Awards & Prizes

In the Main Competition, an International Jury will award prizes in the following categories:

- Best Film (Main Prize) (400 €)
- Best Director (300 €)
- Special Mention (100 €)

In the Student Competition, a student jury awards prizes in the following categories:
- Best Film (200 €)
- Special Mention (100 €)

Rules & Terms

The 6th International Film Festival BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LOOKS AROUND 2023 is a showcase for the presentation and promotion of films from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo, but also for films from all over the world that have a direct relation to the theme of our festival.

The following formal guidelines apply to the submission:

- MAIN COMPETITION: Feature films, documentaries and animated films with a maximum length of 30 minutes (including credits). Films of the main competition are shown live in the cinema

- STUDENT COMPETITION: Feature films, documentaries and animated films with a maximum length of 30 minutes (including credits) made as part of a university course. Movies of the main competition are offered as stream via website. Winner will be shown live in the cinema at the closing ceremony.

Films must have been produced within 24 months prior to the festival. Preference will be given to films that will celebrate their world, international, European or German premiere with their first screening in the competition programme of the 6th BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LOOKS AROUND International Film Festival 2023.

If you feel your film fits the festival's theme but does not meet the formal criteria, you may still submit your work for a GUEST SCREENING, which may be shown outside of the competition.

All detailed rules and regulations in detail can be found here: https://www.bih-looksaround-festival.eu/Festivals/bihlaf-2023/rules

IMPORTANT NOTES:

By submitting a film to our festival, filmmakers agree that their piece of work (full film or trailer) will be securely embedded on the festival's website for the duration of the festival. If desired, access to the film can be technically restricted to the hosting country (Germany).

No refunds will be given for any submission that asks to withdraw, regardless of reason, or submissions that are not accepted.

2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sanela Prasovic Gadzo

    We feel immensely honored to be a part of that wonderful Film Festival Community in Bottrop.
    Sending all our love and warm regards from Sarajevo.

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Jasna Safić

    Very good festival, excellent communication.

    November 2021
    Helpful