The 33rd Göteborg International Film Festival opened

On Friday night the 33rd Göteborg International Film Festival opened with a ceremony in the Draken cinema with a speech by honorary president Roy Andersson.

Director Karin Westerlund received the Mai Zetterling Grant of SEK 200 000. The Göteborg Film Award of SEK 50 000 was awarded to Lisa Siwe for her Glowing Stars.

Thereafter the directors of the opening films were presented: Jonas Odell with his short film Tussilago which competes at the Berlinale and Mikel Cee Karlsson and Fredrik Egerstrand with their documentary The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of José González. The two films are in competition for the Synch Leader and The Nordic Film Award.

The opening screening was followed by a reception in the Festival Tent where star chef Leif Mannerström was in charge of the buffet dinner.

Earlier in the afternoon, at a press conference it was announced that the City of Göteborg and the region of Västra Götaland will contribute to The Nordic Film Award with a sum of SEK 500 000 if the festival manages to find another sponsor for the same amount. If everything goes as planned the Nordic Film Award next year, for the festival of 2011, will consist of SEK 1 000 000 – one of the world’s largest film awards.


The Nordic Film Award 2010 amounts to SEK 100 000 and the nominees are:

The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of José González
Directors: Fredrik Egerstrand and Mikel Cee Karlsson (Sweden)

The Angel (Engelen)
Director: Margreth Olin (Norway/Sweden/Finland)

Sebbe
Director: Babak Najafi (Sweden)

The Good Heart
Director: Dagur Kári  (Iceland)

Brotherhood (Broderskab)
Director: Nicolo Donato (Denmark)

Upperdog
Director: Sara Johnsen (Norway)

Last Cowboy Standing
Director: Zaida Bergroth (Finland/Germany)

R
Director: Tobias Lindholm and Michael Noer (Denmark)


The Nordic Jury consists of Johan Jonason, director, Sweden; Erlend Loe, author, Norway; Vibeke Windeløv, producer, Denmark; Kirsi Tykkyläinen, Export Manager, Finland; Asdis Thoroddsen, director, Iceland.



PR and Press Manager Göteborg International Film Festival:
Camilla Larsson
Tel: +46 (0)708-423980
E-mail: camilla.larsson@giff.se

Press Assistants:
Nina Natri and Andréas Uppman Nilsson
+46 (0)767-112 073 and +46 (0)738-525 664
E-mail: press@giff.se