“BLUM – MASTERS OF THEIR OWN DESTINY” to Hit German Cinemas

The documentary BLUM – MASTERS OF THEIR OWN DESTINY by Bosnian director Jasmila Žbanić will be released in German cinemas in early November. The film premiered in Germany at the 2025 JFBB Documentary Competition and has since been selected as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s official submission for the Academy Awards® in the category “Best International Feature Film.”

In BLUM – MASTERS OF THEIR OWN DESTINY, Žbanić (QUO VADIS, AIDA?) tells the story of Emerik Blum, a Jewish entrepreneur, Holocaust survivor, and former mayor of Sarajevo. After World War II, Blum founded the globally successful company Energoinvest, built on a unique model of workers’ self-management, symbolizing a visionary and democratic approach to socialism. Director Jasmila Žbanić joined the JFBB 2025 for a Q&A, where she discussed the film’s creation and its relevance in today’s world.

As the film reaches cinemas, we also want to express our condolences on the passing of Damir Ibrahimović (1965–2025) – Žbanić’s long-time producer, collaborator, and husband. Ibrahimović co-founded Deblokada and was a driving force in contemporary Bosnian cinema. The JFBB extends its heartfelt sympathy to his family, colleagues, and friends.