Goteborg to give $128,000 to Nordic Film winner

The Goteborg International Film Festival has upped the prize money for its Dragon Award Best Nordic Film to $128,000 (SEK 1m).

Earlier this year the city of Göteborg and the region of Västra Götaland guaranteed the contribution of half a million SEK every year if GIFF could raise the remaining half from private sponsors and contributors.

Now, in Cannes, the festival says the fundraising was successful. “We have succeeded,” says festival CEO Åsa Bernlo. It feels fantastic to be able to strengthen a 22-year-old, established and already very prestigious film award further, and thus favour the art of film in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.”

The prize had been only about $12,000.

“We have always been passionate about Nordic film and actively worked to give it all the attention it deserves. It is hard to measure artistic talent in terms of money but high quality should be rewarded. Now, with this extra spur, we can give talented filmmakers extra help and chance to develop and grow,” added Festival Director Marit Kapla.

Eight films will be nominated; the jury will include representtives from the five Nordic countries and a high profile international jury president.