Press release -

​Leena Yadav winner of a new 1 million SEK film award in Stockholm

Leena Yadav, director of Parched is the first winner of a new international film award, the Stockholm Impact Award. Yadav will receive the prize designed by Ai Weiwei and given 1 million SEK in support to upcoming film projects. The award is presented for the first time by the City of Stockholm and the Stockholm International Film Festival.

The Stockholm Impact Award is a new competition for international films. The prize of 1 million SEK should be used as a support for the further work and development of new film projects. The award aims to highlight the film's ability to create change and debate.

- The award will help us to acknowledge strong film makers who dare to challenge and raise pressing issues. Stockholm Impact Award will be one of the world's largest international awards and puts Stockholm on the map, says Git Scheynius, Festival Director, Stockholm International Film Festival.

- The award reinforces Stockholm as an attractive city for film. It is my clear ambition that more producers will select Stockholm for their film production. It creates jobs, brings revenues to the city and puts Stockholm on the map for film, says Karin Wanngård (S), Mayor of Stockholm

The 7 international films have been selected by a jury including the artist Ai Weiwei, Ida Panahandeh, director of Nahid, and Uppsala City Theatre’s director Linus Tunström.

The motivation: “Through superb acting, giving a unique insight into the minds and hearts of women in rural India, told with colorful, sensual cinematography, this film is a paradoxical celebration of life, in spite of tough circumstances, creating both anger and joy, giving fuel for debate as well as hope for change, when addressing a burning question that affects, not half, but the whole of our society.”

The nominated were

  • Cyril Dion, directorTomorrow FranceNameFilmCountry
  • Erik Matti, directorHonor Thy Father Philippines
  • Leena Yadav, directorParched India
  • Matias Meyer, directorYo Mexico
  • Sterlin Harjo, directorMekko USA
  • Lisa Aschan, directorDet Vita Folket Sweden
  • Yuval Delshad, directorBaba Joon Israel

Stockholm Impact Award is a collaboration between the City of Stockholm and the Stockholm Film Festival with the purpose to support headstrong filmmakers who are not afraid to bring up burning topics in contemporary society. The prize of 1 million SEK is intended as a support for the further work and development of new film projects. The first Stockholm Impact Award was awarded in November 2015

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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  • stockholm impact award

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Marie Sundström

Press contact PR and Marketing Manager, Invest Stockholm +46 (0) 8 508 280 50