SARAJEVO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Cold War film by Oscar-winning Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski opened the 24th Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) capital on Friday night.

After the red-carpet ceremony in front of the National Theater, officials, film directors, actors and other visitors watched the Cold War film.

The film tells a love story between two people of different backgrounds and temperaments, who are fatally mismatched and yet fatefully condemned to each other. The story happens in 1950's, during the Cold War in Poland, Berlin, Yugoslavia and Paris, presenting impossible love in difficult times.

Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, one of the most acclaimed filmmakers, received the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award for the outstanding contribution to the art of film.

Also, BiH businessman Nijaz Hastor received the same award for his continuous support in the development of the festival.

During the awarding ceremony, Ceylan said he visited Sarajevo three times and that every time, he is pleasantly surprised.

"To be honest, this is one of my favorite festivals. Thank you, this is of great importance to me," Ceylan said.

For Hastor, getting "The Heart of Sarajevo" award, as the heart of his most favorite city, is of paramount importance for him.

The 24th SFF will be closed on Aug. 17. In the following eight days, movie lovers will be able to watch 266 films from 56 countries and regions, featuring 52 world and 23 international premieres.

Launched in 1995, the SFF has become a major cultural event in the Balkan region.