Sabina Vajraca’s OSCAR® Qualifying SEVAP/MITZVAH inspired by a true story of a Muslim woman who risked her life to save her Jewish friend

Director and writer Sabina Vajraca’s SEVAP/MITZVAH is inspired by a true story. During WWII in Bosnia Zejneba Hardaga risked her life to save Jews from being rounded up by Nazis, including her friend Rifka and their family. 50 years later the tables turned, and it was now Rifka’s turn to save Zejneba from being hunted. This phenomenal short film won the 2023 Humanitas Prize, among other awards. SEVAP/MITZVAH has qualified to be considered for a 2024 Academy® Award.

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.

Director and writer Sabina Vajraca was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and immigrated to the US in 1994 as a war refugee. Since then, she has accomplished a lot as a director/producer. Her critically acclaimed feature documentary BACK TO BOSNIA premiered at AFI Fest and screened at over 30 festivals worldwide winning Director’s Choice at the Crossroads Film Festival, and is featured in the top 100 of the greatest films directed by women by the BBC. It’s currently streaming on multiple platforms, including Amazon. Most recently she co-directed a Warner Bros./USC feature period drama VOODOO MACBETH, and the DGA Award-winning short VARIABLES, which was nominated for the BAFTA Student Award and was the Student Academy® Awards semifinalist.

Producer Kerim Masovic started his filmmaking journey over a decade ago. He founded Kontraplan in 2019, with his two frequent collaborators, Neven Samardzic and Sasa Pesevski. Some of the many projects Kerim has worked on include DEATH IN SARAJEVO, FULL MOON, SO SHE DOESN’T LIVE, MAY LABOR DAY, and MAJNUNI. Most recently producing SEVAP/MITZVAH.

SEVAP/MITZVAH has qualified to be considered for a 2024 Academy® Award

Upcoming Festivals

Aladerri FF (Chicago, IL) – September 22nd-24th

Joyce Forum Jewish Film Fest (San Diego, CA) – October 12th-14th

Sedicicordo (Forli, Italy) – October 16th-24th

Ojai Film Festival (Ojai, CA) – November 2nd-19th

Lake County Film Festival (Grayslake, IL) – November 2nd-13th