CineStar cinemas across Bosnia and Herzegovina are taking part in a Council of Europe’s initiative to promote equality and inclusion. From 22 to 28 January, all eight theatres will show a simple but powerful video statement ahead of the films: “Our diversity makes us stronger”.

“We go to the movies for an immersive storytelling experience, free from daily distractions. We encounter characters who may be very different from us but with whom we share experiences. In these quiet moments in a darkened theatre, viewers are often more open to ideas that challenge preconceived notions,” said Bojana Urumova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, announcing this collaboration.

If we want to affirm dignity through creative means, film can be a powerful medium. As a popular cinema chain in the region, CineStar has agreed to offer a platform for a message of acceptance, connection, and understanding.

This effort forms part of the Council of Europe’s broader commitment to culture as a means to spread the values of equality, tolerance and inclusion. In 2025, we partnered with the Sarajevo Film Festival to establish the Youth Perspectives Award, recognising  films that reflect how young people engage with present-day challenges and envision the future. The first award went to DJ Ahmet, a coming-of-age story set in a traditional rural community.

This initiative was supported by the action “Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina”, implemented as part of the Council of Europe and European Union’s joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, as well as the related Council of Europe project funded through voluntary contributions.