Göteborg International Film Festival raises award to SEK one million

Dragon Award Best Nordic Film will shine with an even brighter red in the future. Göteborg International Film Festival reveals that SEK one million will be awarded to the best Nordic film in competition. Thus the award will be one of the largest in the world.

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.

– 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.

Earlier the award amounted to SEK 100 000. The increase makes Dragon Award Best Nordic Film (approx 100 000 Euro) one of the absolute largest awards in the festival circuit.

 – 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, says Festival Director Marit Kapla.

The jury choosing the winner during GIFF 2011 (Jan 28-Feb 7) will consist of representatives from the five Nordic countries and a high profile jury president from the world of international film. Eight films will be nominated and the award will be shared equally between the director and the producer of the winning film. The award will be presented during The Dragon Awards Gala on February 5, 2011.

The news about Dragon Award Best Nordic Film will be presented tonight during a beach party in Cannes where the Nordic and international film industry will mingle and celebrate new Nordic film.

– A heavy Dragon Award gives the winner attention as well as extra resources for reaching out internationally, says Åsa Bernlo. As the leading film festival in Scandinavia it becomes natural for us to facilitate the conquering of the world for high quality Nordic films.

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Download high resolution picture of Marit Kapla & Åsa Bernlo

Download high resolution picture (Dragon Award)

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