Boban and Drmać named Best Actors, SARTR wins Award for Best Ensemble Performance.
The curtain has fallen on the 12th Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic: Gordana Boban and Mario Drmać named Best Actress and Best Actor
The winners of the 12th Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic were announced tonight. According to the audience votes, Gordana Boban was named Best Actress for her outstanding performance in the play Kiselina (Acid), a production of the Bosnian National Theatre Zenica and Scene MESS. Actress Gordana Boban shared her thoughts on the award, the play Kiselina, and the importance of ensemble work.
Boban emphasized that an award from the audience is always the most cherished, as it is a recognition that doesn’t come often.“It’s wonderful to be in Konjic, to perform in front of the Konjic audience—it’s truly a privilege to receive an award from the public. We really don’t get that kind of recognition often, which makes it all the more special and meaningful,” said Boban.The award was presented to her on behalf of the Festival’s General Sponsor, the company Bosnalijek, by Senadin Begtašević, a member of the Artistic Council of the Actor’s Festival of BiH. This is Boban’s second award at this festival—the first one was six years ago—and she hopes it won’t be the last.
She received the award for her role in the play Kiselina, which she describes as one of her favorite productions to perform in. “Kiselina is one of the dearest plays I’ve ever done, precisely because it’s like life itself copied directly onto the stage. We worked on it in a truly beautiful atmosphere,” Boban explained. She emphasized that the energy and connection created during rehearsals are now being passed on to the audience. Although emotionally demanding and intense—both for the actors and the audience—she believes the play is important and meaningful. Kiselina has already won numerous awards at other festivals, which, according to Gordana, speaks volumes about its quality.
Mario Drmać was named Best Actor at this year’s Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic for his role in the play Ne daj se, generacijo (Don’t Give Up, Generation), a co-production of the Youth Theatre Sarajevo and the association Moje pozorište (My Theatre). After receiving the award—presented on behalf of the Festival’s Partner, BH Telecom, by Selma Veledar, a business services specialist from the Telecom Directorate in Mostar—Drmać shared his thoughts and reflections on the responsibility that comes with the recognition, especially when the audience expects what he called “laughter therapy” from him.
“Well, of course it’s a big responsibility—now that you’ve told me that when the audience hears ‘Mario Drmać,’ they show up. Makes sense,” Drmać joked. “Which means I’ll have to prepare even better for next year.” Despite the light-hearted comment, he emphasized that he sees the award as something he owes to the audience, especially given his long-standing appearances in Konjic and the familiarity he has with the people there. “I truly feel a great sense of responsibility through my work, to make sure future projects are even better—more inspiring, humorous when needed, and enriched with strong dramatic elements,” he added.
SARTR (Sarajevo War Theatre) was awarded the Prize for Best Ensemble Performance.
The award for Best Ensemble Performance went to the cast of the Sarajevo War Theatre – SARTR for their play Totovi. Actors Snežana Bogićević and Sead Pandur, members of the Totovi ensemble, shared their excitement upon receiving the award at the 12th Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic. The award was presented on behalf of the Festival’s General Patron, the City of Konjic, by Biljana Handžo, Cultural Affairs and Youth Advisor for the City of Konjic. Snežana Bogićević emphasized how much the award means to them, especially because they feel like “a team that truly understands and connects with one another” after two years of performing the play. “We’re really happy that in this play, where we feel we’ve become a team that understands and senses each other so well, after two years of being on stage, we received this kind of collective recognition,” said Bogićević.She added that, even though they hadn’t performed the play in several months, once they arrived in Konjic and got back on stage, they all felt great and that “some new things came to the surface.” Even without the award, she said, they would have been fulfilled simply by the joy of performing together.
Sead Pandur highlighted that this award is especially joyful because the ensemble hadn’t received a collective performance award in quite some time—awards he considers the most meaningful. “There used to be about ten of us in the SARTR ensemble—sometimes even fewer. We’re all around the same age, and we’ve done many plays together, often receiving awards for ensemble performance. So, since it’s been a while since we last received such recognition, I have to say this award has truly uplifted and encouraged me,” said Pandur. He reminded everyone that acting is a collective art, and receiving an ensemble award from the audience in Konjic—especially at a festival that only gives out three awards (Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Ensemble)—makes the recognition all the more special.
In addition to the main awards, prizes were also presented in the Regional Program category. The award for Best Actress in the Regional Program of the 12th Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic went to Olga Odanović for her role in the play The Bald Soprano, produced by the Center for Culture Tivat and directed by Jagoš Marković.
Actress Olga Odanović shared the following message: “My heart is full because of the awards we received in Konjic, especially the one for Best Ensemble Performance for our play The Bald Soprano. This award means a lot to us because our production is truly a team effort, and we genuinely love it. All individual awards—both mine and Banet’s—belong to the entire The Bald Soprano ensemble. Thank you for breathing with us and giving us so much love; I hope you felt it from us as well, right from the stage.”
We want to commend the Actor’s Festival and its organizers! Thank you for your exceptional hospitality, enthusiasm, and effort in preserving the festival. A special thanks goes to the theatre director, Benjamin, whose stories about the Konjic theatre and his motivation to keep the festival alive truly inspired us. We wish the festival a long life, for as long as you have the strength and will to fight for its existence.
“Thank you once again for the wonderful audience and for fighting for the theatre, because as they say, ‘in the darkest times, theatre brings out the best within it.’ Take care of the Actor’s Festival! It’s needed by both you and us, and festivals like this are rare. A heartfelt thank you to everyone in Konjic for the organization, hospitality, love, and enthusiasm. Thank you!” — Actress Olga Odanović
The award for Best Ensemble Performance in the Regional Program category of the 12th Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic was given to the cast of the Center for Culture Tivat’s production The Bald Soprano, directed by Jagoš Marković. Actress Dubravka Drakić shares her impressions of the award:
“Dear friends, at the 12th Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic, the ensemble of the play The Bald Soprano, produced by the Center for Culture Tivat, received the award for Best Ensemble Performance. On behalf of Olga Odanović, Banet Vidaković, Momčilo Otašević, Branimir Popović, Sandra Bugarski, and myself, I want to sincerely thank you. Thank you for a festival that nurtures the art of acting. I would also like to thank Benjamin Mošinović for his patience and persistence in keeping this festival alive for twelve years. I wish you better conditions and greater support in future editions, and of course, I promise that we will see each other again. All the best from the heart!” — Actress Dubravka Drakić
The award for Best Actor in the Regional Program category of the 12th Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic was awarded to Branko Vidaković for his role in the play The Bald Soprano, produced by the Center for Culture Tivat and directed by Jagoš Marković.
After the award ceremony, a concert by musicians from Konjic was held in honor of the laureates.
“Dear friends from the beautiful city of Konjic, you have surprised me more than once. I was amazed by the city itself—so peaceful, quiet, cozy, and beautiful. I was impressed by your excellently organized festival, the kindness of your people, and, last but not least, the fantastic way the audience received our play. And finally, what can I say? Thank you for all the acting awards you gave us and thank you for your hospitality. We will definitely come again when you invite us!” — Actor Branko Vidaković
This year’s Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Konjic hosted eight theatres and featured five Off programs. The honor of closing this year’s festival was given to Senadin Dino Begtašević, a member of the Artistic Council of the Actor’s Festival of BiH.
The general media sponsor of the Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina this year, once again, was Radio Konjic.
Source of the text and photos: Radio Konjic – https://radiokonjic.ba/spustena-zavjesa-na-12-festival-glumca-bih-u-konjicu-za-najbolju-glumicu-i-glumca-proglaseni-gordana-boban-i-mario-drmac/
