Prominent Icelandic Auteur Triumphs at Göteborg Film Festival

Icelandic director Rúnar Rúnarsson, renowned for his Oscar-nominated 2006 short film "The Last Farm," has triumphed at the 48th Göteborg Film Festival. His fourth feature, "When the Light Breaks," earned him the prestigious SEK400,000 ($36,000) Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film at the festival's closing gala.

Shot on 16mm, "When the Light Breaks" is a nuanced coming-of-age drama starring Elín Hall ("Cold," "Let Me Fall"). It had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section last year.

The film follows Una, a young art student whose summer unfolds amidst love, friendship, grief, and the beauty of Iceland's landscape. The Best Nordic Film jury, comprising filmmakers Ella Lemhagen, Philippe Lesage, Athina Rachel Tsangari, cinematographer JP Passi, and actor Frida Gustavsson, lauded the film's "masterfully calibrated mise en scène, its sensitivity and delicate lightness... its director's unexpectedly uplifting treatment of grief, acutely portrayed by a perfect young ensemble."

Produced by Iceland's Compass Films, the Netherlands' Revolver Amsterdam, Croatia's MP Film, and France's Jour de Fête, "When the Light Breaks" has been acquired by The Party Film Sales for worldwide distribution.

Additional Award Highlights

- Andrea Bræin Hovig (Norway) won the Gender-Neutral Acting Award for her performance as Marianne in Johan Dah Haugerud's "Love."
- "The Girl with the Needle" by Magnus von Horn (Denmark) won the Fipresci Award.
- Victoria Verseau's "Trans Memoria" (Sweden/France) took home the top prize in the documentary section.
- Denise Fermandez (Chile) won the prestigious Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award for "Hanami."
- Oscar-winning Australian animator Adam Elliot won the SEK 50,000 prize in the International competition for his tragicomedy "Memoir of a Snail."
- Clara Vida's short film "Family" received the Draken Film Award.

Controversy and Celebration

The festival, which initially faced a rocky start due to a controversial speech by Swedish Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand, ended on a high note. CEO Mirja Wester acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the importance of discussing film politics. Artistic director Pia Lundberg praised the festival's atmosphere and the enthusiastic audience's dedication to cinema.