Festival dates and scope

The 37th edition of the Stockholm International Film Festival will take place from 11 to 22 November, featuring 130 films from around 60 territories, according to Beatrice Karlsson, the programme director. The festival promises "a wide variety that still forms a unified picture of the 2026 year in film."

Programme highlights

Karlsson noted that "it wasn't that hard to put the programme together this year," citing a "generous dose of innovative expressions" in the films selected, particularly in the main competition. The festival will open with Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine and close with the documentary You Can See Everything by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim.

Oscars and special focus

Eleven Oscar submissions will be screened, and Japan has been chosen as the special focus country. Among the 18 competing films are several first features, including La Gradiva by Marine Atlan, Low Expectations by Eivind Landsvik, and Club Kid by Jordan Firstman, which is also featured in the "Daddy Issues" spotlight section.

Themes and international voices

Karlsson highlighted that several films in the programme explore themes related to fathers, including both traditional and problematic portrayals. Andrey Zvyagintsev's Minotaur is noted as an example of a film with a "ruthless" father figure. Zvyagintsev is also featured in a group of filmmakers in exile. The festival will also showcase films by Iranian directors living abroad, including Pegah Ahangarani and Mohsen Gharaei.

Nordic and musical offerings

A Nordic contingent includes a new version of the Wallander crime series, starring Gustaf Skarsgård, which will have its world premiere at the festival. Additionally, a concert film of Roxette - Live in Sydney, originally shot in 1991, will be screened with band leader Per Gessle in attendance.

Awards and industry segment

Special awards will be presented, with John Turturro receiving the Stockholm Achievement Award and Lena Olin receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. Both will also present master classes. The Industry Days segment will run from 16 to 19 November, with a case study on the production of this year's Cannes Palme d'Or winner, Fjord, presented by representatives from Norwegian production company Eye Eye Pictures and Romanian producer Tudor Reu.