The 19th Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) officially opened on Friday night with a red carpet ceremony.

Large crowds gathered in front of the National Theater to welcome film stars and professionals. Danis Tanovic, director of 2002 Oscar winner "No Man's Land", presided over the jury for this year's festival.

A total of 214 films from 59 countries will be presented during the SFF, which will end on August 24.

Hundreds of artists and celebrities are expected to visit Sarajevo, including Hollywood star Danny Glover.

The opening ceremony was followed by a screening of "An episode in the life of an iron picker", a story featuring a Gypsy collecting scrap metal.

The SFF, first launched in 1995, has become one of largest and best organized cultural events in the Balkan region.