The 30th Sarajevo Film Festival brought together cultural and international exchange efforts, with a delegation from Maryland participating as part of the ongoing partnership between Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, host by City of Sarajevo. Facilitated by the Maryland Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC), led by Adnan Hadrovic, the visit highlighted collaboration in both cultural and humanitarian areas.
The delegation included members of the Maryland National Guard and Derek Horne, Director of Programming at the Annapolis Film Festival. Their involvement reflected the growing connections between Maryland and Bosnia, where partnerships have expanded beyond military engagement to include civil society and cultural initiatives.
In addition to attending festival events, the delegation visited organizations like SUMERO NETWORK and ProReha Center, which work to support individuals with disabilities and promote social inclusion. These visits provided an opportunity to understand local efforts to improve the quality of life for marginalized communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The delegation also participated in discussions on military-civil cooperation with representatives from civil society and international organizations like World Vision Bosnia and Herzegovina. These conversations focused on how such partnerships can help strengthen community resilience. Derek Horne, Director of Programming at the Annapolis Film Festival, extended an invitation for the Sarajevo Film Festival team to attend the 2025 Annapolis Film Festival, fostering further cross-cultural collaboration.
The visit concluded with a meeting hosted by Sarajevo’s Mayor, Benjamina Karić, and Vice Mayor, Samir Avdić, who welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration between the two regions.
This visit reflects Sarajevo’s growing role as a cultural and diplomatic hub in the Balkans. The ongoing partnership, supported by MBHEC and the Maryland National Guard, continues to strengthen ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, opening the door to future collaboration in cultural and humanitarian fields.
