Willem Dafoe: You’re Lucky to Have a Festival Like the Sarajevo Film Festival

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of film, actor Willem Dafoe was presented with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival. 

“I am very happy to be here; it is a true honor. You are very fortunate to have this film festival. Festivals are extremely important, now more than ever, because they keep cinema alive. We can never emphasize enough the positive power, both political and social, that film holds. I was here 25 years ago. Much has changed, but I am very glad to see Sarajevo thriving, just like the Sarajevo Film Festival. Thank you all”, said 

The award was handed to him by Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, ahead of the screening of “Birthday” by director Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

“Tonight we present a very special award at the Sarajevo Film Festival. It's not every day that we welcome back an artist whose career has shaped every language of modern cinema. And yet, here we are, 25 years since he first came to Sarajevo, we honor an artist who has given us some of the most unforgettable characters, moments, and emotions in cinema.

Willem Dafoe is one of those rare actors whose presence on screen is not simply a performance, it is a transformation. With over a hundred films spanning continents and genres, Hollywood blockbusters and independent gems, animation and theatre, Willem approaches each role with a fearlessness and curiosity that make him a true master of his craft.

His body of work is something every actor aspires to, yet only a few can ever match his range, depth, and daring. Willem, when you first joined us here, Sarajevo was just finding its way after some very difficult years. Your presence then was a gesture of solidarity. Your return now, a quarter of a century later, is a reminder that art builds lasting connections, connections that survive time and distance”, said Jovan Marjanović.

Over the course of a career spanning more than 150 films, Willem Dafoe has earned international acclaim for bringing versatility, boldness, and courage to some of the most iconic films of our time. His artistic curiosity in exploring the human condition has led him to projects across the globe—both large-scale Hollywood productions and independent cinema.

Four times nominated for an Academy Award®, the American actor has delivered a series of unforgettable performances in films such as “At Eternity’s Gate”, “The Lighthouse”, “Shadow of the Vampire”, “The Florida Project”, “The Last Temptation of Christ”, “Spider-Man”, and many more.

He has worked with directors who together form a virtual encyclopedia of modern cinema: Wes Anderson, Kathryn Bigelow, Kenneth Branagh, Tim Burton, Scott Cooper, Anton Corbijn, Saverio Costanzo, David Cronenberg, Abel Ferrara, Mary Harron, Werner Herzog, Walter Hill, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Hayao Miyazaki, Phillip Noyce, Sam Raimi, Dee Rees, Jason Reitman, Robert Rodriguez, Isaiah Saxon, Julian Schnabel, Paul Schrader, Martin Scorsese, Zack Snyder, Guillermo del Toro, Lars von Trier, James Wan, Wim Wenders, Yorgos Lanthimos, Zhang Yimou, among many others.

At the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival, Dafoe also held a masterclass, where he shared his experiences and reflections on contemporary art with young talents, film professionals, and the festival audience.