November settles over Stockholm with its familiar darkness, but the city glows brighter as the Stockholm International Film Festival marks its 36th edition. This year pays tribute to David Lynch in connection with welcoming Isabella Rossellini as Guest of Honour, finally making her way back after receiving the Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 amid the pandemic’s isolation. Benny Safdie arrives with his first solo directorial effort, The Smashing Machine, earning him the Stockholm Visionary Award. Alexander Skarsgård, arguably the most internationally recognised of Stellan’s actor sons, receives the Stockholm Achievement Award, presenting his latest feature Pillion, directed by Harry Lighton. And French director Julia Ducournau, whose Titane won the Palme d’Or, brings her new film Alpha, fresh from another Palme d’Or nomination at Cannes this year.
If you're in town, prepare for an eleven-day marathon (from November 5th to 16th) of storytelling and the rare chance to go in-depth with some of the most compelling names in cinema today. The festival is especially proud to welcome Isabella Rossellini as Guest of Honour 2025, a long-awaited return after the pandemic prevented her visit in 2020. The actress has expressed her excitement about finally making the journey, drawn both by the opportunity to pay tribute to David Lynch with a screening of Blue Velvet and by the chance to honour her mother, Ingrid Bergman, in her homeland. A special screening will feature never-before-seen clips from the production of the documentary I Am Ingrid (2015), followed by an intimate conversation where Rossellini will share memories of her mother. “I am very much looking forward to visiting the Stockholm International Film Festival,” she declared. “Sharing memories from my collaboration with David Lynch and screening Blue Velvet as part of the festival’s tribute to him feels very special. It will also be an honour to speak about my mother, Ingrid Bergman, in her homeland, something I truly look forward to sharing with the audience.” In addition, there will be a special screening of Mulholland Drive in 35 mm.
In addition to the Lynch-O-Mania and the films presented by the festival’s award-winning guests, several highlights stand out in this year’s programme. Bradley Cooper's Is This Thing On? offers an intimate look at New York’s stand-up comedy scene, capturing the raw energy and vulnerability of performers chasing laughs in dimly lit clubs. Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice delivers his signature dark satire, blending sharp social commentary with the Korean master’s unmistakable visual style. Lynne Ramsay returns with Die, My Love, a psychological thriller starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson that promises the director’s characteristic exploration of trauma and identity through haunting, visceral imagery. And Wagner Moura, best known for Narcos, stars in The Secret Agent, a tense espionage political thriller with Bond vibes about corruption in Brazil in the 1970s. Each film represents a different facet of contemporary cinema, from observational documentary to psychological thriller and espionage drama, making this year’s selection particularly diverse and compelling.
There’s something definitely unpredictable about Alexander Skarsgård’s career. Over two decades, he’s moved with rare fluidity between Hollywood spectacle, European arthouse, and prestige television. From his breakthrough in Generation Kill to his Golden Globe-winning turn in Big Little Lies and the primal intensity of The Northman, Skarsgård has consistently chosen complexity over comfort. This year, the Stockholm International Film Festival honours that restless spirit with the Stockholm Achievement Award, presented as he returns to the screen in Pillion — a dark, humour-laced exploration of power and desire directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Harry Lighton. The film, which won Best Screenplay at Cannes, is yet another reminder that Skarsgård doesn’t just inhabit roles, he dismantles them, revealing the contradictions beneath. He’s become more than an ambassador for Swedish acting talent; he’s proof that fearlessness, precision, and a willingness to risk failure can redefine what it means to be a leading man.
The Stockholm International Film Festival continues to cement its position as one of Europe’s most essential film events. Beyond the star-studded awards and the meticulously curated programme, crafted by Program Director Beatrice Karlsson and Program Coordinator Jakob Åsell, the festival’s true strength lies in its ability to unite the film industry across borders and disciplines. Stockholm Industry Days brings together creative minds from Sweden, the Nordic region, and beyond, offering professionals and enthusiasts alike the rare opportunity to engage directly with the festival’s honoured guests and explore the future of filmmaking. How? 
For instance, masterclasses feature an extraordinary opportunity to discuss filmmaking, storytelling and beyond with a strong lineup: Benny Safdie will discuss his latest work exploring the turbulent life of MMA legend Mark Kerr; French director Julia Ducournau will share insights into her fearless approach to storytelling; Swedish filmmaker Josef Fares will explore how narrative can transcend traditional formats across film and interactive media. Additionally, British director Mike Figgis offers rare behind-the-scenes access to his documentary about Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, providing an intimate look at one of cinema’s most ambitious recent productions.
The festival is also launching Stockholm Nordic Shorts, a new competition section dedicated to spotlighting emerging talent in short filmmaking across the region in a deliberate effort to champion fresh voices and expand the possibilities of the format. Beyond the masterclasses, the days ahead are packed with pitches and work-in-progress sessions creating spaces to open up for collaboration. For anyone in town invested in the future of cinema, Stockholm is exactly where you need to be this November. Another noteworthy initiative is the Stockholm Film Festival’s ongoing effort to raise funds for Bio Skandia, one of Stockholm’s most iconic theatres and a historic landmark now at the heart of the festival. This month, the beautifully restored cinema will host the opening ceremony, face-to-face screenings, and intimate behind-the-scenes sessions — a fitting tribute to its enduring place in the city’s cultural life.
As a part of the festival, Stockholm Industry reflects both a growing interest and a clear ambition: to shape a platform rooted in the creative ecosystem of filmmaking, designed to support and strengthen international cinema for the long term. Built on collaboration, relevance, and a shared commitment to creative growth, Stockholm Industry is a space where development is understood as an ongoing process. Stockholm Industry Days returns November 10-13, now extended to four full days of workshops, pitch competitions, networking, and much more, curated for filmmakers and professionals across the international film landscape. With returning programme strands, new social and professional gatherings, and a reimagined panel series under a new banner, it is both a continuation and a step forward.
Year after year, the Stockholm Film Festival and Industry Days expand their reach, driven by an unwavering love for cinema and the people who make it. If you are around, get involved, keep an eye on the social and professional gatherings alongside the reimagined panel series — proof that Stockholm Industry 2025 honours its roots while pushing boldly ahead. For the full schedule of screenings, masterclasses, and events, head to the festival’s website and start planning your November in Stockholm.