Every penny that Sarajevo Canton allocates for the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) returns multiple times into the cantonal budget, Prime Minister Edin Forton said in N1's special programme ahead of the solemn festival opening on Friday.

“The Canton financially supported the SFF through the Ministry of Culture. We kept in mind that this is the 25th anniversary, that there are efforts to increase the festival's profit. Allocating the funds (for the festival) doesn't mean support to a logo, this is the support to economic activity,” the prime minister said.

He pointed out that many businesses are directly connected to this event and that all the money the state might invest in it will give back multiple amounts in the budget.

“We shouldn't be thinking too much about it,” said Forto.

The money invested in the creative industry, gives back the most to the country, according to him. “Sarajevo Canton will increase the funds for the creative industry, especially for the film,” he underlined.

The way that the city lives during the festival days, like a world city, said the prime minister, must extend throughout the year.

Organisers of the Sarajevo Film Festival, he stressed, have always been one step ahead and knew what the Bosnian capital needs.

Recalling of the days when he himself used to work for the SFF, head of the Sarajevo Canton Government said that this is an event mainly for people.

“One cannot see this in Berlin or Cannes, access to the screenings, price of tickets, the guests who are staying in the city because of the festival. This is the festival of the city. The world's celebrities accepted that too. They want SFF to stay like this and to be close to people,” said Forto.