Swedish films at festivals

Swedish films at Sundance Film Festival 

© Barr Pix

World Premiere in Short Film Competition - Sauna Sickness

Struggling to maintain the peace she mistakes for love, Cleo’s steamy New Year’s Eve plans quickly fissure into a chilling nightmare. Starring Thea Sofie Loch Næss and Adam Lundgren.

Directed by Malin Barr
Produced by Barr Pix / Malin Barr 

© Christine Leuhusen

World Premiere in Short Film Competition - Without Kelly 

Forced to leave her baby daughter with the child’s father, young mother Esther is caught indesperation and longing. Through the night she chases touch and comfort, seeking ways to hold onto whom she loves the most.

Directed by Lovisa Sirén
Produced by [sic] film / Siri Hjorton Wagner, with support from the Swedish Film Institute 

Swedish films at International Film Festival Rotterdam 

© Simon Averin Markström, Gustav Ågerstrand 

World Premiere in Tiger Competition - La Belle Année

While emptying her childhood home after her estranged father’s death, Angelica recalls a fierce and solitary love she had for her history teacher, Miss S. As her list of duties never seems to diminish, an intense desire grows in Angelica: to meet her again.

Directed by Angelica Ruffier
Produced by MDEMC /Marta Dauliūtė and Brynhildur Þórarinsdóttir, with support from the Swedish Film Institute

© DSArt Ensemble

World Premiere in Cinema Regained - FETISH

Fetish is a hybrid film made by video performance artist Malga Kubiak. The story unfolds in the 21st century - an age of wars, collapse, and hyenas. 
We are mammals: when we defend our territory, we are deadly...or not. 

Directed by Malga Kubiak
Produced by DSArt Ensemble / Malga Kubiak
Sales DSArt Ensemble

© Filmform – The Art Film & Video Archive

World Premiere in Cinema Regained - RUM

Rum is a short fil by experimental film pioneer Clas Söderquist, where he revisits fottage from the shooting of Letters from Silence, placing it in dialogue with recently shot material. Using split screen for the first time, Söderquist's camera moves slowlu and meticulously through sparse interios spaces and passages, evoking both a sense of enclosure and departure.

Directed by Claes Söderquist
Produced by Filmform – The Art Film & Video Archive / Claes Söderquist
Sales Filmform – The Art Film & Video Archive

Swedish films at Clermont - Ferrand International Short Film Festival

© Pontus Norberg

In International Competition - A Real Swedish Midsommar

The winds of change are blowing through the pines on a remote island in the Swedish archipelago. Rumors has it that legendary glam rocker Joey Tempest has bought a house deep in what the locals call ”The Punk Bog”. The adults smoke and holler while little Alba, only two years old, tries her best to escape the rickety porch. Hot gossip and cold schnapps, mosquitos and rain, this is Real Swedish Midsommar. The table is set, välkommen!

Directed by Ville Gobi
Produced by REIN Productions/Fanny Reinbring, with support from the Swedish Film Institute

© Axel Danielson & Maximilien Van Aertryck

In Lab Competition - Death of a Fantastic Machine 

From the camera's invention as a tool of truth to today's AI-generated images, "Death of a Fantastic Machine" traces how economic incentives shaped what gets filmed and why. Using archival footage, the film explores the choices that transformed cameras from instruments of evidence into engines of engagement.

Directed by Axel Danielson & Maximilien Van Aertryck
Produced by Axel Danielson & Maximilien Van Aertryck

© Johannes  Nyholm

In Panorama Holidays - Las Palmas

A middle-aged lady on a holiday in the sun tries to make new friends and have a good time.

Directed by Johannes Nyholm
Produced by Johannes Nyholm/ [Joclo]