VIVA Film Festival

VIVA filmski festival

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Arts & CultureSarajevo
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsVIVA's five competition categories, Grand
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: BAM
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

VIVA Film Festival in Sarajevo

A documentary and short-film festival founded in Sarajevo in 2015 with backing from figures including former US Vice President Al Gore, built around competition categories focused on ecology, inter-religious dialogue and ecotourism rather than mainstream narrative cinema. Screenings spread across Sarajevo and other Bosnian and Herzegovinian towns over several days each year.

VIVA Film Festival launched in Sarajevo in 2015 with an unusual backer list for a regional film event, including former US Vice President Al Gore as a founding board figure alongside Bosnian archaeologist Semir Osmanagic, religious leaders and environmental advocates.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

VIVA's five competition categories, Grand Prix, Ecology, Religion, Tourism and a youth-directed strand, give it a thematic identity built around environmental and interfaith subject matter rather than a broad, open call for any documentary or short film

02

The mystery stays covered

Its founding board included former US Vice President Al Gore alongside a Bosnian archaeologist and religious leaders, an unusual mix for a regional film festival's origin story

03

The city starts moving

The festival's associated VIVA School of Film workshops run across roughly twenty Bosnian and Herzegovinian towns, extending its footprint well beyond the main festival week itself

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

VIVA Film Festival is documented as a recurring arts-culture festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Sarajevo, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

VIVA's five competition categories, Grand Prix, Ecology, Religion, Tourism and a youth-directed strand, give it a thematic identity built around...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For VIVA Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Sarajevo venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Ordinary indoor cinema-going clothes are fine; nothing about the venues or program calls for anything more formal than a normal theatre visit, though an opening or awards session may lean...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For VIVA Film Festival, stay near the part of Sarajevo you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

BAM

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.85 N, 18.36 EOpen in Google Maps

Sarajevo, Sarajevo/Multiple cities, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nearest airportSJJ — Sarajevo
TransportFor VIVA Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Sarajevo venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor VIVA Film Festival, stay near the part of Sarajevo you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Sarajevo via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sarajevo, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearOrdinary indoor cinema-going clothes are fine; nothing about the venues or program calls for anything more formal than a normal theatre visit, though an opening or awards session may lean slightly smarter.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is VIVA Film Festival?

VIVA Film Festival is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does VIVA Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Sarajevo, Sarajevo/Multiple cities, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvivaba.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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