The winners of Stockholm Film Festival 2024 were presented during an awards ceremony at SoHo House on the evening of Friday 15 of November. This year’s Bronze Horse in the category for Best Film goes to Nickel Boys – a dark drama that takes place at a youth reform school in 1960s Florida directed by RaMell Ross.
The Canadian director Matthew Rankin receives the prize for Best Director for his subtly eccentric Oscar contribution Universal Language, which takes place in a wintry Winnipeg. Best Cinematography goes to Martin Gschlacht for his visual language in one of this year’s most powerful horror films, The Devil’s Bath. Best Screenplay goes to Alonso Ruispalacíos for La Cocina – a drama about the people who prepare the restaurant food. Malou Khébizi wins Best Actress for her role as Liane in the French social-realist drama Wild Diamond, while Best Actor goes to Izaac Wang for his role in the coming-of-age comedy Dìdi.
The jury’s motivation for Best Film to Nickel Boys by RaMell Ross reads:
“A masterful and impactful film that, through its choice of perspective, immerses us in the character’s harrowing journey into the dark history of racism and segregation in the United States. At the same time, it presents a moving and powerful story of friendship and courage, standing tall even in the face of darkness. A film that innovatively explores the full spectrum of cinematic expression, resonating deeply and bridging the past with the present.”
Best Documentary goes to the American-Ukrainian director duo Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev for the film Porcelain War. The International jury of film critics, FIPRESCI, has chosen Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard for Best Film. The actor Erik Svedberg-Zelman, seen in the film Düsseldorf, Skåne, receives this year’s award for SkyShowtime Rising Star 2024.
Here is the full list of winners at the 2024 Stockholm Film Festival:
STOCKHOLM XXXV COMPETITION
Best Film: Nickel Boys by director RaMell Ross
Watch our interview with RaMell Ross and Jomo Fray, director and photographer of Nickel Boys.
Best Director: Universal Language by director Matthew Rankin
The motivation: ”A film that cleverly mixes traditional Iranian cinema storytelling with dreams, surrealism and humor. The result feels both mesmerizing and fantastical but also deeply personal and touching. The director manages to balance all these elements without losing the film’s distinctive quality. It’s a deeply unique film told from the point of view of an equally unique director. The award for Best Director goes to Matthew Rankin for Universal Language.”
Best Debut: Peacock by director Bernhard Wenger
The motivation: ”With an original concept, an intelligent screenplay as well as a stunning performance of the main character this debut embarks us with confidence on an absurd and bold satire on how to find your true self in a consumerist capitalistic society. Through lots of humorous situations it slowly builds up to a hilarious crescendo, always keeping a loving and warm hand towards the film’s characters. Best Debut Feature goes to Peacock by Bernhard Wenger.”
Best Screenplay: La Cocina by screenwriter Alonso Ruispalacios
The motivation: ”A brilliant setting for a broth of society depicting the struggle for the invisible ones in a seemingly ever out of reach American dream. This is a funny, speedy, witty, loving, despairing, screenplay, where personal and work issues in a pressure cooker boil towards an explosive climax. The award for Best Screenplay goes to Alonso Ruizpalacios for La Cocina.”
Best Actress: Malou Khébizi for her role in Wild Diamond
The motivation: ”This actress takes her character on a journey with great understanding of its inner sorrow. She brings us deep into the inner dilemmas of being young and struggling. The desperate drive of the character, shallow and superficial at first, quickly becomes a profound search for a better life in a harsh world. Making choices, this actress becomes the very embodiment of urgency and willpower. The award for Best Actress in a Leading Role goes to Malou Khebizi for her performance in Wild Diamond.”
Best Actor: Izaac Wang for his role in Didi
The motivation: ”For an outstanding performance that carries the film’s theme and emotion with great sensitivity, giving not only pubertal insecurity a face but also the insecurity stemming from constant cultural bullying. In an honest and beautiful way, our actor manages to convey deep feelings of love, inadequacy, belonging and identity. His performance was deeply touching and there is no doubt that he has a bright future ahead. The award for Best Actor In A Leading Role goes to Izaac Wang for his performance in Dìdi.”
Best Cinematography: Martin Gschlacht for The Devil’s Bath
The motivation: ”A stunningly beautiful cinematography, alternating breathtaking Rembrandtesque tableaus with vibrant close-ups, mastering the art of light and shadows giving life and texture to this slow burn period horror. Best Cinematography goes to Martin Gschlacht for The Devil’s Bath.”
STOCKHOLM XXXV DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
Best Documentary: Porcelain War by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev
The motivation: ”In a time when the value of culture is questioned have we rarely seen stronger evidence of its necessity than here. Despite the film’s dark realities it instills hope and vitality through the depiction of the participant’s almost unstoppable need to express themselves, irrespective of their circumstances. Portrayed with warmth and intimacy, and told by the artists themselves, we are struck by the normality in the unfathomable situation that is war. The award for Best Documentary goes to Porcelain War by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev.”
STOCKHOLM XXXV SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Best Short Film: The Sea In Between by Lun Sevnik
INTERNATIONAL FILM CRITICS AWARD – FIPRESCI
Best Film: Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard
SKYSHOWTIME AWARD RISING STAR 2024
The SkyShowtime Rising Star Award 2024 goes to actor Erik Svedberg-Zelman
1KM FILM
Winner: Lode Kuylenstierna with Den osmidige
Script Development Award: Nanna Blondell with Färgblind
Honourable mentions: Jean Luc and Desiree Mwepu with Ultimatum.
