CHICAGO
June 5 - June 7, 2026
Roots in Motion:
Naša Zajednica in the Making
The conference theme, “Roots in Motion: Naša Zajednica in the Making,” invites diaspora and local communities in BiH to reflect on the rich history and cultural heritage that shapes our Bosnian identity. It encourages open discussion about the challenges facing our community while emphasizing unity, resilience, and collective growth rather than division.
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
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Location: Broken Hearts Bar, 1009 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Time: 7-9pm
The BiH Diasporic Conference and the BH Futures Foundation invite you for an evening of networking with professionals and business owners from around the world, as we kick off another year for BiHDC 2026.
Attendance for the networking event is FREE, however the full BIHDC 2026 conference requires registration.
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Location: DePaul University, Schmitt Academic Center, 2320 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Time: 9am - 5pm
Reunite with old friends and meet new connections on the second day as you learn from leading experts during the morning and afternoon sessions. A light breakfast, lunch, and conference materials will be provided.
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Location: TBD
Time: after 7pm
Enjoy a social activity with some familiar faces during this part of the second day.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
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8:30 - 9:00 am REGISTRATION
9:00 - 9:15 am WELCOME REMARKS
9:15 - 9:45 am Jadranka Miličević - KEYNOTE SPEAKER
9:45 - 10:00 am - BREAK
10:00 - 11:30 am - My Father's Diaries - FILM SCREENING11:30 - 11:45 am - BREAK
11:45 am - 1:15 pm - Where have you been
Što te nema - FILM SCREENING1:15 - 2:15 pm - LUNCH
2:15 - 3:45 pm - Sniper Alley To My Brother - FILM SCREENING
3:45 - 4:00 pm - BREAK
4:00 - 4:30 pm - Ado Hasanović -KEYNOTE SPEAKER
4:30 - 5:00 pm - CLOSING REMARKS & GROUP PHOTO
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9:45 - 10:00am - BREAK
10:00 - 10:45am - Queer Roots in Motion - EMINA BOŠNJAK, SARAJEVO OPEN CENTER
10:45 -11:30am - Unbreakable Bonds: The Power of Culture, Identity, and Belonging - LEJLA GANIJA & BELMA KURPEJOVIC
11:30 - 11:45am - BREAK
11:45am - 12:30pm - Identity and Values: Mapping the Intergenerational Bridge - ZERINA MULAOSMANOVIĆ SAID & RAWHI SAID
12:30 - 1:15pm - Advocacy Essentials for BiH Diaspora - MIRELA LONGONI
1:15 - 2:15pm - LUNCH
2:15 - 3:00 pm - Kud Biser Learnings of Bosanski Folklor - DINO KESEROVIĆ & LEJLA HADZISALIHOVIĆ
3:00 - 3:45pm - Records of Truth: Filmmaker Panel Discussion - ADO HASANOVIĆ, ANA CROEGAERT & CRISTIANA LUCIA GRILLI
3:45 - 4:00 pm - BREAK
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9:45 - 10:00 am - BREAK
10:00 - 11:30 am - Sniper Alley To My Brother - FILM SCREENING11:30 - 11:45 am - BREAK
11:45 am - 1:15 pm - My Father's Diaries - FILM SCREENING
1:15 - 2:15 pm - LUNCH
2:15 - 3:45 pm - My Father's Diaries - FILM SCREENING
3:45 - 4:00 pm - BREAK
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
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During the social activity on the third day you will get an opportunity to meet up with other BiH Diaspora members, BH Futures Foundation representatives and many others, while you explore Chicago.
Hotel Details
Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago
This year we have partnered with the Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker hotel in Chicago to offer discounted rates for hotel rooms. The link to register for the hotel will be sent out to you as soon as you register for the conference.
Hotel Address: 163 E Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611
Hotel Cost: King $232.48, Double $242.48
Deadline for registration: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Discount Code Valid for Booking Dates: June 2 - 10, 2026.
KEYNOTES
Ado Hasanović
Ado Hasanović is a Bosnian film director and festival programmer based in Rome. He graduated from Sarajevo Film Academy and the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, the Italian national film school. His work spans documentary and fiction, exploring personal memory, irony, and socially engaged narratives.
His first feature documentary, My Father’s Diaries, premiered at Visions du Réel and screened at numerous international festivals before being shortlisted for the David di Donatello. His associations include: a Berlinale Talents alumnus; a member of the European Film Academy; the Association of Filmmakers of Bosnia and Herzegovina; founder and artistic director of the Silver Frame Film Festival; artistic director of Passaggi d’Autore – Mediterraneo Short Film Festival in Sardinia; and, programmer for the Euro Balkan Film Festival in Rome.
Jadranka Miličević
Jadranka Miličević is an activist, peacemaker, and feminist.
She was one of the members of the "Women in Black" Belgrade, which resisted the war during the conflict of the 1990s and is now part of the International Network of Women in Black. In 1997, Jadranka and colleagues formed the first women's feminist group "Women to Women" in Sarajevo, and a few years later, the feminist-activist organization CURE Foundation (2005). Jadranka is the driving force in many processes aimed at improving women's rights and women's political participation from empowerment workshops, participation in public media shows, or activism in the street, including organizing the first Pride Parade of Sarajevo in 2019. Jadranka is tireless in providing continuous support to women, especially to the marginalized and disenfranchised.
SPONSORS
Mahala Sponsor
Merak Sponsors
Džezva Sponsor
Fildžan Sponsors
The BiH Diasporic Conference is an event fiscally sponsored by the Bosnian American Genocide Institute & Education Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization registered in the United States.
Fiscal Sponsor
Our Partners
We care about financial accessibility to the conference and we’re very lucky this year to be sponsored by: Turkish Airlines, Maryland – Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC), Injury Lawyers of Illinois, Cargohansa, Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation, Accounting at All Costs LLC., Urban Grow, Innovative Management Solutions, and the Law Office of Jeffrey Friedman, P.C.
Due to all the sponsors we have this year, we have passes available at discounted rates for community organizations and FREE passes for anyone in need of financial assistance. Feel free to forward any of the information below to anyone you think might be interested.
If you volunteer for a community organization ask them to fill out this form, and they'll get a reply back with a discount code for 30% off of all registrations.
If you’re a student, we have student tickets available as well! If you’re part of a student group on campus, your club also qualifies for the 30% off of registration. Have your club fill out this form and we'll reply back with a discount code.
If you’re not able to pay for registration at all due to other circumstances, apply here and we’ll make sure we can get you on the registrant list.
I want to attend but I can’t afford to register…
We think everyone who wants to attend deserves an opportunity to attend regardless of ability to afford the registration fee. Our sponsors generously make this a possibility. So if you cannot afford to attend please apply here.