Recognizing a career spanning more than five decades and his contributions to cinema, British actor Ray Winstone will be honored with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival, running from August 15 to 22, 2025.
“It is a pleasure to present this award to an actor who has captivated audiences with his talent, intensity, and unmistakable presence,” said festival director Jovan Marjanović.
Winstone has delivered some of his most commanding performances in Sexy Beast, The Departed, The Proposition, and Nil By Mouth — the latter earning him Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards. His filmography also spans major Hollywood blockbusters, including Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Noah, and Black Widow, as well as acclaimed independent projects such as A Bit of Light and Netflix’s Damsel.
On the small screen, he has showcased his range in series like Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, which is currently filming its second season. In 2005, Winstone won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his acclaimed performance in Vincent.
The Honorary Heart of Sarajevo has previously been awarded to names such as Robert De Niro, Isabelle Huppert, Wim Wenders, and Jesse Eisenberg. Winstone now joins this distinguished list as one of the defining figures of contemporary British cinema.