The Stockholm International Film Festival is an annual celebration held here in Stockholm, focusing on emerging and early-career filmmakers. This year, from 6-17 November, the festival celebrated its 35th year running.  

The event included over 300 screenings of 135 films from 50 countries. It also included stage talks, parties, red carpets, and visits from people involved in the filmmaking industry, such as Steve McQueen. Sean Baker, Costa-Gavras, Edward Burns, and others also attended. 

Every year, a different spotlight is chosen: this year, it was “Men in Crisis”. The theme revolves around the contemporary man and his inner struggles. Movies such as “One of Those Days When Hemme Dies” and “Sad Jokes” displayed this theme. 

Different prizes were handed out at the festival, notably the Stockholm Visionary Award. Director Sean Baker received this award for his film “Anora” as well as director Steve McQueen for his movie “Blitz”.  

Director Costa Gavra received the Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award. Further, the Stockholm Achievement Award went to director and actor Jesse Eisenberg, who made “A Real Pain”. The international film critic jury FIPRESCI and the audience’s votes in the Peroni Audience Award awarded “Emilia Pérez” by director Jacques Audiard the Best Film award. 

However, the most prestigious award of the festival, the bronze horse in the Best Film category, was awarded to “Nickel Boys” by RaMell Ross. The film was described by the jury as “”a perfect and striking film, which with its choice of perspective allows us to experience the character’s terrible journey straight down into America’s dark history of racism and segregation”.

This year’s Stockholm International Film Festival was a resounding success. If you have an interest in movies or filmmaking, this event gives you the rare opportunity to meet up-and-coming directors and actors. Next year’s festival will be held from 5-16 November and promises to bring more groundbreaking movies.