Since 2000 half of the winners of Stockholm International Film Festivals’ most prestigious award, the Bronze horse, have been female directors. It is unique for a film festival to both screen and award women and men equally in one competition.

Stockholm Film Festival has been working hard for many years to promote female directors in the film industry. Female directors are in general less likely to get funding, which results in fewer movies directed by women.

But despite that, Stockholm Film Festival manages to present an equal starting field in our most prestigious section – the Stockholm XXVIII Competition  – without compromising on showing the most high quality films. The first movie in the competition this year is Ava by Léa Mysius.

The praised debut drama Ava was nominated for four awards at Cannes film festival earlier this year, winning the Palme d'Or for Best Movie in the SADC category as well as the Palm Dog jury prize. 

Ava will also have the honor of being the official campaign picture of this year’s Stockholm Film Festival.  

Léa Mysius’ captivating drama follows thirteen-year-old Ava who is spending the summer at the Atlantic coast with her mother. But the summer idyll is shattered when Ava is told that she will lose her eyesight in just a few months. To live life to the fullest before turning blind Ava decides to escape – with a young man on the run.

– I’m very proud that we can present an equal lineup in the Stockholm XXVIII Competition. It’s a result of hard work. We review all films directed by women, and for that reason we manage to find fantastic movies that we want to highlight, says festival director Git Sheynius.

The 28-year-old debuting director Léa Mysius will be visiting Stockholm to attend this year’s festival. Tickets for the premier screening of Ava on November 11th will be released on October 5th. After the screening, director Léa Mysius will participate in a seminar with the audience regarding the film.

The Stockholm International Film Festival takes place November 8th-19th.

Léa Mysius will be available for interviews during the festival. For media inquiries, please contact pressekreterare@stockholmfilmfestival.se.

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to apply for press accreditation for this year’s festival: www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/eng/press

The 28th Stockholm International Film Festival, November 8-19, 2017
The Stockholm International Film Festival started in 1990 and is today one of the leading competitive film festivals in Europe. The festival takes place every year in November with more than 200 films from more than 60 countries. 

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