Stockholm International Film Festival 2014

It's November and in Stockholm that means it is time for the Stockholm International Film Festival. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the festival, which runs from the 5th to the 16th of November. There will be 201 current movies from 60 countries shown during the festival at several different venues. Besides the movies, there will be red carpet events, special presentations, parties as well as different award ceremonies.

Skandia, photo by Emmanuel Castro Skött

Several movies being shown have already won awards at other film festivals over the past few months... like Whiplash (Sundance), Black Coal, Thin Ice (Berlin), Winter Sleeps (Cannes) and A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (Venice). Some other movies being shown have already garnered Oscar buzz, like Wild with Reese Witherspoon. It might seem daunting to have to try and choose which films you want to see among 201 choices, but they have made it a bit easier by breaking down the program in different ways... by day, alphabetically, venue or section. On the "section" side, the films are divided up by genre or type and whether they are part of the festival competition or not. Click here for the program.

Bronze Horse, photo by Isa Olsson.

Certain films are in competition for the Bronze Horse Award (best film) as well as smaller awards (Aluminum Horse- best actor, script, cinematography, etc.). Then there are prestigious awards given annually. These include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Achievement Award and Visionary Award, Director Mike Leigh, actress Uma Thurman and director Roy Andersson have been announced as the winners of each espective award and will be on hand to accept them. The festival has also planned a special dedication to Lauren Bacall, past Lifetime Achievement Award winner who passed away in August.

Lauren Bacall, photo by Leif Erik Nygårds.

As you can see... a full schedule! All of the pertinent information and tickets can be found on their website. Otherwise, if you are staying at the Rival Hotel, stop by and talk to me for extra help.