During WWII in Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks everything to save her Jewish friends. 50 years later the tables have turned. Inspired by a true story.
Zejneba Hardaga was never one to cower in the face of injustice, even within her strict Muslim community. So, when she realizes Sarajevo’s Jews are being rounded up by Nazis, putting her friend Rifka and Rifka’s family in danger, she risks everything to save them. Fifty years later, during the Bosnian War, it’s the Muslims who are being hunted down, and Rifka has to find a way to rescue Zejneba and her family in turn. Inspired by a true story.
Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sabina Vajrača immigrated to the U.S. as a war refugee, and started her directing career in NYC theater.
Her first film, the critically-acclaimed feature documentary BACK TO BOSNIA, premiered at AFI Fest, screened at 30+ festivals worldwide, and was featured in BBC’s "Top 100 of the Greatest Films Directed by Women." It's now streaming on multiple platforms, including Amazon.
Since then, she has written, directed, and produced commercials, music videos, and over a dozen films, including the multiple-award-winning VARIABLES, the Warner Bros./USC feature period drama VOODOO MACBETH, and the short drama SEVAP/MITZVAH, which was a 2024 Academy Awards® contender and won the 2023 Humanitas Prize.
She also assisted writer/director Max Mayer on his Sundance-winning feature drama ADAM, starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne, and apprenticed directors on MADAM SECRETARY and 9-1-1.
Her other accolades include the DGA SFA Grand Prize, Claims Conference grant, Alfred P. Sloan grant, numerous film festival awards, and nominations for the Student Oscars and Student BAFTA.
Sabina’s a member of Film Fatales and BAFTA, and an alumna of Ryan Murphy’s HALF Directing Mentorship, Hayama Residency, Stowe Story Labs, and Almanack Screenwriters. She holds an M.F.A. in Film and TV Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and is repped by Vision Entertainment and GGSSC.
World Premiere - Cleveland International Film Festival 2023
LA Premiere - HollyShorts 2023
Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2023
AmPav Showcase at Cannes 2024
Humanitas Prize 2023
Claims Conference Grant 2021
Sedona Int'l Film Festival 2024 - Directors' Choice, Audience Award
ECOCINE Film Festival 2023 - Human Rights Award
Flickers' Rhode Island Int'l FF 2023 - Jury Award
Helena Vukovic - Role of Zejneba Hardaga
Magdalena Zivaljic-Tadic - Role of Rifka Kabiljo
Merima Kljuco - Composer
Adisa Vatres-Selimovic - Production & Costume Designer
Kerim Masovic - Producer
