In its mission to support artistic freedom as well as the right to free speech and with the 2025 edition of the festival in full swing (24 Jan – 2 Feb), the Göteborg Film Festival launches a new initiative aimed at raising funds for filmmakers living in oppressive countries. To encourage the public to join its initiative and financially contribute to the Göteborg Film Fund, the festival launched a vignette film that portrays a fictional dictator terrified by the power of film to transform the perceptions of society.
Created by Forsman & Bodenfors, directed by Lode Kuylenstierna and produced by production company Rio, the short video — which is in line with this year’s theme Focus: Disobedience — focuses on the artists living in countries with heavily restricted freedom and the challenges they have to overcome in creating their films.
“Filmmakers face threats of violence, imprisonment, or even death,” explained Pia Lundberg, Artistic Director of the Göteborg Film Festival. “We want to take this opportunity to draw attention to that — and to encourage people to continue engaging with free and defiant art. Every single one of our visitors supports free art simply by watching films at the festival.”
This year’s showcased films put the spotlight on the forbidden, hidden truths, and unsettling realities filmmakers have to endure in bringing their work to life. By watching these movies, the public not only witnesses these stories but also learns that disobedience — in this context, an act of courage — in filmmaking is an attitude that speaks about the threats artists have to endure to narrate stories that are seen as controversial by the societies they live in.
“During the 48th Göteborg Film Festival, we will explore the concept of disobedience by showing contemporary films that explore the theme, and highlighting their significance in society. We look forward to discussing, problematizing, and mobilizing our defiance during the festival,” said Lundberg.
The festival’s poster was curated by Britta Marakatt-Labba, an artist who was “born into a fight. My artistry began in Alta in northern Norway, when we were demonstrating for the rights of the Samí people. I’ve always believed that being disobedient is the right thing to do when you are righting wrongs, and I’ll fight for these things for as long as I live. That’s why it feels great to collaborate with the Göteborg Film Festival,” explained Britta Marakatt-Labba.
Upon buying the tickets, the public can opt for rounding up their purchases, adding SEK 10 or more via a dedicated “Support Artists Freedom” product. But anyone can contribute to the cause through Swish. The money collected will be used to support filmmakers working under difficult conditions.
CREDITS
Brand: Göteborg Film Festival
Agency: Forsman & Bodenfors
Director: Lode Kuylenstierna
Production Company: Rio
