The newly graduated filmmakers received SEK400,000 each from the Swedish Film Institute towards the development of their feature debuts.

The Wild Card ceremony was held at Stockholm’s Filmhuset on Wednesday evening, during the Stockholm International Film Festival.

A graduate from Gothenburg’s HDK-Valand Academy, Vangelis Kollias will be able to use his development grant towards his experimental project How to Say Goodbye - a feature-length version of his graduation film of the same name. The director of Greek-origin attended the Nordic Talents Pitch Prize competition in September with the project.

Kollias who uses the self-performative mode as a filmmaking tool, said his intention with the film is “to scratch the thick surface of what we call ‘real men’ and explore what is behind.”

“The director possesses a unique voice, as well as a great sense of style”, said the Wild Card jury. The film is being produced by Anna Byvald for Silver Films.

Simone Nordberg is also a former Gothenburg’s HDK Valand Academy student. Her feature project Till Lydia is the story of Hanna (22) who develops a relationship with her best friend Lydia’s ex-boyfriend Oliver and ends up losing both of them.

“This director has a unique and narrative voice,” said the jury. “In both her graduation film and her previous short films, she has captured interpersonal relationships with great authenticity and intuition. Through a mature eye and beautiful work, she brings multiple layers and complexity into seemingly simple stories.”
Stina Eriksson and Alicia Hansen are producing for Prolaps Produktion.

Tess Quadri is a graduate from the Norwegian Film School. Her feature project Like There is No Tomorrow is set in Gran Canaria, Spain where she grew up. The main character Frida (25) fights for a dwelling in the touristic resort of Arguineguin, and for the small town’s survival although she’s not sure if it’s worth it.
“I am incredibly grateful to get the opportunity to make a pilot for my dream project Like There Is No Tomorrow,” the director said. “The film is based on real events that took place on the island of Gran Canaria a few years ago, and with this Wild Card, we are finally able to tell that story in the best possible way. Wild Card is great for new directors who have something they really want to express, but don't know how and where to start.”

Wild Card was set up by the SFI in 2018 to fast-track the career of newly graduated directors.