Screenwriter Paul Laverty accepts award for Ken Loach in Stockholm

Due to health reasons, film director Ken Loach will unfortunately not be able to attend the Stockholm International Film Festival to receive this year's Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award. His longtime screenwriter, Paul Laverty, will represent Loach at the festival, accepting his award on his behalf, and also participating in a Face2Face session in connection with the gala screening of their film, »The Old Oak«.

– It is very unfortunate that Ken Loach cannot attend. We have been informed that he is on the road to recovery but has been advised against traveling, and we wish him a speedy recovery. And, of course, we are both happy and proud to welcome Paul Laverty in his place, who has collaborated with Loach in so many years, says Beatrice Karlsson, Program Director for the Stockholm International Film Festival.

Master Class with Paul Laverty
On November 9th, screenwriter Paul Laverty will represent Ken Loach, receive the Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf, and participate in a Face2Face session before the gala screening of their new film, »The Old Oak«. He will also hold a Masterclass during the Stockholm Industry Days. Laverty is not only an acclaimed screenwriter with fourteen Loach films to his credit but also a highly regarded lecturer on the subject of screenwriting for film and television.

About Paul Laverty:
Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty has a background as a human rights lawyer. In the late eighties, he approached Ken Loach with a screenplay idea, which resulted in their first collaboration, »Carla's Song«. This was followed by »My Name Is Joe« and »Bread and Roses«, as well as »Sweet Sixteen«, for which Laverty won the screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival. Together with the producer Rebecca O'Brien, Loach and Laverty founded the production company Sixteen Films. Among their films are the two Palme d'Or winners, »The Wind That Shakes the Barley«, and »I, Daniel Blake«. Together they have alternated between drama films and comedies such as »Looking for Eric« and »The Angels' Share«.

»The Old Oak« is the final installment in a trilogy about life in northeast England, which also includes »I, Daniel Blake« and »Sorry We Missed You«. It is a poignant story about solidarity and hope in a world grappling with change, a film entirely in the spirit of the two colleagues. Laverty describes his longtime friend and collaborator Ken Loach as follows:

"Saint Augustine said that hope has two beautiful daughters: one is anger at the state of things, the other is the courage to try to change them. It summarizes Ken's professional journey."


About the Film:
During Stockholm International Film Festival we will be screening »The Old Oak«, a poignant tale of unity and hope in a world grappling with change. It's a film that captures the skill and sensitivity of filmmakers Loach and Laverty.

Press opportunities with Paul Laverty:
To book time for interviews with Paul Laverty, please contact PRESS