The Stockholm International Film Festival presents Industry Days 2025

Stockholm Industry Days is a key meeting point for professionals in the Swedish, Nordic, and international film industries. The 2025 edition offers an ambitious program of masterclasses, pitches, and works-in-progress sessions. This year’s guests include Stockholm Visionary Award 2025 recipient Benny Safdie, Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau, and innovative video game creator and director Josef Fares.

Once again, the Stockholm Film Festival invites the Swedish film industry to connect with the global film community through Stockholm Industry Days 2025. Between November 10–13, producers, filmmakers, and members of the film industry will gather in Stockholm to exchange ideas, explore new collaborations, and discuss the evolving landscape of cinema.

A major highlight this year is the launch of Stockholm Nordic Shorts – a new competition section dedicated to Nordic short filmmaking. The initiative aims to elevate emerging regional voices and strengthen the festivals’ commitment to innovation and artistic exploration within the short film format.

Industry Days opens with The Vision of Swedish Film at historic cinema Bio Skandia, featuring Swedish Film Institute CEO Anna Croneman, followed by a performance lecture by artist and filmmaker Tova Mozard. The program continues with Works in Progress, presenting upcoming Nordic film projects to international industry professionals. The short film pitch competition, 1 KM FILM, returns, where seven Swedish filmmakers will pitch their projects for a chance to win SEK 400,000 in production support.

In Nordic Wave, feature film and series projects will be pitched to an international jury. The competition, focused on first to third feature projects, aims to champion new creative voices. The winner will receive a SEK 400,000 post production support, awarded in partnership with Tint.

A selection of program highlights is presented below. The full Industry Days program will be announced at 10:30 AM on October 24 and will be available here.

Masterclass – Benny Safdie

The recipient of the Stockholm Visionary Award 2025, Benny Safdie, will visit the festival for an exclusive Industry Masterclass. Safdie, acclaimed for Uncut Gems (2019) and Good Time (2017), presents his latest feature The Smashing Machine, highlighting the life and career of MMA legend Mark Kerr. Known for his visceral realism and deeply human storytelling, Safdie’s Masterclass will take place at Bio Rio on November 9, 13:00–14:00.

Masterclass – Julia Ducournau

French director and screenwriter Julia Ducournau, Palme d’Or winner for Titane (2021), has redefined horror cinema through bold explorations of body, identity, and transformation. Ducournau’s masterclass will be held at Bio Rio on November 15, 13:00–14:00.

Masterclass – Josef Fares

Acclaimed filmmaker and videogame creator Josef Fares – known for Jalla! Jalla! (2000), Kopps (2003), and the award-winning games It Takes Two and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons – joins the Industry Days program for a session on narrative innovation across film and interactive media. Fares’ Masterclass will take place at Filmhuset on November 12, 11.30-12.30.

Nikon Presents: Behind the Scenes – Mike Figgis

Returning after last year’s success, celebrated British filmmaker Mike Figgis leads an exclusive behind-the-scenes session, Nikon Presents: Behind the Scenes – MegaDoc. The project offers a rare glimpse into Figgis’ documentary MegaDoc (2025), born from his unique behind the scenes access to Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis (2024). The session and screening will take place on November 14.

To participate in Stockholm Industry Days, please register for accreditation here.