Angelina Jolie attended the closing ceremony of the eight-day Sarajevo Film Festival in the Bosnian capital Saturday, and the philanthropic starlet was presented with her own special award, reports the
New York Daily News.
Jolie received “The Heart of Sarajevo” award from festival director Miro Purivatra for her role in bringing attention to the plight of Bosnian refugees driven from their homes during the nation’s 1992-1995 war.
The mother of six visited the country a number of times last year as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ambassador, drawing attention to the some 117,000 Bosnians who have been unable to return to their homes though the war ended 16 years ago. She, along with partner Brad Pitt, traveled to several refugee camps and ultimately inspired a U.S. government donation that provided housing for the last 15 people living in one of the rundown camps.
The actress and activist said that she received the city of Sarajevo’s “warmth and hospitality” during her visits and was honored to receive the award — a silver heart that she held to her chest.
“There is no greater example of strength of artists than a festival that begun during the war and grows stronger every year. I find it remarkable,” Jolie said of the festival, which was started in 1994 to give citizens of the war-torn city a sense of normality.
Stars like Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, Daniel Craig, and Mickey Rourke have also attended Sarajevo’s annual film festival.
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