Branko Lustig to Receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo

Sarajevo Film Festival has a great pleasure to announce that Heart of Sarajevo 2012 goes to Branko Lustig, a film professional par excellence, whose life and work are the best proof that talent, hard work, professionalism and dedication can erase any and all geographic or national barriers.

Heart of Sarajevo honours individuals for their extraordinary contribution to the promotion and advancement of the art of film.

This two-times Oscar winner has been in the film industry for more than fifty years. His career started with the Yugoslav production company Jadran Film in the mid-1950’s, when he produced the feature DON’T LOOK BACK, MY SON, and later on KOZARA, where he appeared himself as well. As it would turn out later, the turning point in his life was his engagement in international coproductions, which brought him contacts that allowed him to travel to Los Angeles in the 1980’s.

Lustig’s first Hollywood success was the multiple award-winning mini-series THE WINDS OF WAR, where he worked as producer, associate producer and assistant director. Lustig won an Emmy award in 1990.

His work in Hollywood brought him in contact with Steven Spielberg and together they worked on SCHINDLER’S LIST, for which Branko Lustig received an Oscar for Best Production.

Since then, Lustig’s Hollywood work has included numerous blockbusters such as THE PEACEMAKER with George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, as well as cooperation with Ridley Scott, whose GLADIATOR brought Lustig his second Oscar. Years of collaboration with this director have resulted in numerous hits, such as HANNIBAL, BLACK HAWK DOWN, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, A VERY GOOD YEAR, and his latest film Lustig produced – AMERICAN GANGSTER.

Branko Lustig has also won the Golden Globe twice: for SCHINDLER’S LIST and GLADIATOR.

Branko Lustig, definitely the most successful film professional from this part of the world, remained faithful to his origins. After 20 years in Los Angeles, two Oscars and numerous superb productions, he returned to his native Croatia. Upon return, he was selected to serve as President of the Jewish Film Festival. In 2008, Mr Lustig opened the 2nd Sarajevo Talent Campus with an introductory lecture, sharing some of his rich international experience with young filmmakers from the region.

EARILER RECIPIENTS OF THE HEART OF SARAJEVO:

• Marco Mueller, director of the Venice Film Festival (2005)
• Mike Leigh, film director (2006),
• Gavrilo Grahovac, Minister of Culture and Sports of the Federation BiH (2006)
• Steve Buscemi, actor (2007)
• Cat Villiers, film producer (2008)
• Manfred Schmidt, executive director of Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung GmbH (2009)
• Dieter Kosslick, director of the Berlin International Film Festival (2010)
• Angelina Jolie, actress and director (2011)
• Jafar Panahi, film director (2011)
• Emil Tedeschi, majority shareholder and president of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Group (2011)