Mexican actor, director and producer Diego Luna will be feted at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, which runs Aug. 14 to 21.
Luna will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo in recognition of his “outstanding career and indelible contribution to cinema.”
The festival will screen “Ashes,” his latest directorial feature, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and Luna will also give a masterclass.
Jovan Marjanović, the festival’s director, said, “A quarter of a century ago, Diego Luna won our hearts with his unforgettable performance in ‘Y tu mamá también.’ We hoped then and know now that we were witnessing the emergence of an artist who would never cease to explore and surprise, moving seamlessly from major Hollywood productions to intimate human stories that reveal the richness of Latin American culture. Through his exceptional body of work, Diego Luna has left a profound mark on contemporary cinema, and it is our great honor to present him with the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo.”
Luna responded, “It’s been many years since I’ve wanted to go to Sarajevo, so many colleagues have spoken beautifully about the festival and their personal experience there. I feel honored with the recognition of my work and very excited to share ‘Ashes’ with the audience.”
Luna first captured international attention with his breakout performance in Alfonso Cuarón’s “Y tu mamá también” (2001), a role that established him as one of Mexico’s leading actors. This led to collaborations with directors such as Steven Spielberg, David Trueba, Gus Van Sant, Harmony Korine and Agustín Díaz Yanes.
Most recently, he starred in and executive-produced the Disney+ series “Andor” (2022), earning two Golden Globe nomination and two Critics’ Choice Award nominations for best actor for his work in both seasons. The series earned eight Emmy Award nominations for its first season and 14 for its second season in 2025, including outstanding drama series.
In 2025, he starred opposite Jennifer Lopez and Tonatiuh in Bill Condon’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor for his performance in Hulu’s “La Máquina” (2024), which he also produced and starred in alongside Gael García Bernal.
Earlier credits include the Netflix series “Narcos: México” (2018), which earned him a Critics’ Choice Award nomination, “Star Wars: Rogue One” (2016), a role that introduced him to an even wider English-speaking audience, and “Bread & Circus” (2020), which won two Daytime Emmys for outstanding daytime talent in a Spanish-language program and best entertainment program in Spanish.
As a director, Luna made his debut with the documentary “J.C. Chávez” (2007). His first narrative feature, “Abel” (2010), earned the Horizontes Latinos Award at the San Sebastián Film Festival and a Mexican Academy Award for best screenplay, which he co-wrote. He later directed “Mr. Pig” (2016), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
He recently stared in Netflix’s “México 86,” on which he also serves as executive producer and will next appear in the thriller “Eleven Days” and Disney’s live-action adaption of “Tangled.”