Press release —
Film i Väst co-production Woman Unknown to compete for the Golden Lion in Venice
Film i Väst co-productions Woman Unknown and The Girl with the Leica have been selected for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Directed by May el-Toukhy, Woman Unknown, which was partly filmed in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, has been selected for the festival's prestigious Official Competition, where it will compete for the Golden Lion. The Girl with the Leica, directed by Alina Marazzi, will celebrate its world premiere as the opening film of the Orizzonti section.
“We congratulate the directors, producers and everyone involved in bringing these films to life. Having Woman Unknown selected for the Official Competition and The Girl with the Leica chosen as the opening film of Orizzonti are significant international recognitions. We are proud to be co-producers of films that will meet audiences at one of the world's most important film festivals,” says Kristina Börjeson, Head of Production at Film i Väst.
Woman Unknown
Official Competition and World Premiere
Set in post-war Denmark, Woman Unknown follows Marie, a young nanny and housemaid, who is about to marry Christian, the wealthy older widower for whom she works. But Marie harbours a shameful secret. During World War II, she had an intimate relationship with a German soldier. As her past catches up with her, she is forced to do everything in her power to protect her new position as lady of the house. Directed by May el-Toukhy, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maren Louise Kähne. Produced by Mikael Rieks for Nordisk Film Production and Swedish co-producer is Nordisk Film Production Sweden and Film i Väst. The film was partly shot in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden.
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The Girl with the Leica
Orizzonti – Opening Film and World Premiere
Directed by Alina Marazzi, The Girl with the Leica follows legendary war photographer Gerda Taro on her last day in Paris on 14 July 1937. Before returning to the Spanish front, she spends the day with her partner Robert Capa and the friends with whom she fled Nazi Germany. Past and present intertwine in a poignant portrait of Gerda Taro, the first female war photographer to lose her life while covering a war. Produced by Vivo Film. Swedish co-producer: Zentropa Sweden and Film i Väst.
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The 83rd Venice International Film Festival takes place from 2–12 September 2026.
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Film i Väst is Scandinavia’s leading film fund and has co-produced about 2000 films and drama series since 1992. Thanks to great co-operation with Swedish and international producers over 100 films have been screened in Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto and Sundance. Our co-productions have received 22 Oscar nominations since 2011, including the Oscar-winning Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier (2025), as well as 16 Palme d’Or nominations including Ruben Östlund’s winners Triangle of Sadness (2022) and The Square (2017). Film i Väst is a part of Region Västra Götaland.
