Östlund, who has arrived in Sarajevo, is expected to be presented with the Heart of Sarajevo award for his contribution to the film industry.
An honorary Heart of Sarajevo award was presented at the opening ceremony to Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa whose films, focusing on the events of past years in Kyiv (Maidan square) and Donbas, are of exceptional importance for understanding the current developments in his country.
Sarajevo has been a symbol of human tragedy as well as resistance in the more recent European history. My country today is under a brutal attack of a brutal and violent aggressor and that is why this award and support from Sarajevo mean so much to me, Loznitsa said.
As a sign of direct support and solidarity with Ukraine, the organisers of the Sarajevo Film Festival this year included Ukrainian films in the festival programme for the first time.
The festival had its unofficial start on Thursday with a screening of a working version of renowned Bosnia and Herzegovina director Jasmila Žbanić's documentary "Blum", dedicated to the Yugoslav-era industrial giant Energoinvest and its founder and long-time director Emerik Blum.
The festival organisers expect more than 1,000 guests from the world of filmmaking in Sarajevo, including Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen and US director Paul Schrader.
SFF director Jovan Marjanović, who has succeeded SFF founder and long-time director Mirsad Purivatra, said that after two pandemic years, the festival was again being held in its usual format, stressing that it was especially encouraging that regional film production had shown vitality in those difficult circumstances.
The festival, to last until 19 August, will feature 235 films from 63 countries, including Croatia, of which 51 will be competing for awards.