The 26th annual Stockholm International Film Festival (November 11-22) is going to be kind of a big deal, so if you’re in town and into cinema, then you’ll definitely want to check it out.
With over 190 films from over 70 countries, the festival’s commitment to human rights, boundary-pushing diversity and artistic freedom will be on full display, with a special focus given to the pressing issue of migration via films like I jakt på ett bättre liv and Walls.
Tapping into the feminist zeitgeist, 2015 also marks the first year that more women than men will be competing for the film festival’s top prize—the Bronze Horse.
Ellen Burstyn will also be in Stockholm to collect the Stockholm Achievement Award and meet the public in a Face2Face conversation and Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, winner of the Stockholm Visionary Award, will attend the Swedish premiere of his film The Lobster and chat with the audience. Stephen Frears can also be counted among the winners (Lifetime Achievement) and one of the following group of talented actors will take home the Rising Star Award: Aliette Opheim (Det vita folket), Bianca Kronlöf (Svenskjävel), Josefin Asplund (Cirkeln), Marina Nyström (Aerobics-A Love Story), Rasmus Luthander (Från djupet av mitt hjärta), and Sebastian Hiort af Ornäs (Cirkeln).
And perhaps creating the biggest buzz of all: after past collaboration with the film festival, including last year’s lion ice sculptures and 2013’s artwork “The Chair for Nonattendance”, renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei will make his first trip to Stockholm and serve as chairman of the jury for the first Stockholm Impact Award. While it was initially thought that the Chinese government would hinder the subversive contemporary artist’s attendance, Ai Weiwei has obtained a passport and visa and will be on-hand for the festivities.
YLC will provide continuing coverage of the 2015 Stockholm International Film Festival. For more information on what and when to attend, as well as how to volunteer, visit the Stockholm International Film Festival’s website: http://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/en
