Renowned Danishdirector Bille August, who won the best foreign language Oscar in 1989 for PelleThe Conqueror, willattend the Scandinavian Film Festival LA's gala reception as a guest onJan 31. August is currently in Los Angeles shooting Without Apparent Motive (working title) with Julianne Moore andRichard Gere. The reception will take place at the Writer's Guild Theatrein Beverly Hills, followed by a screening of Aki Kaurismaki's The ManWithout a Past, Finland'sforeign language Oscar submission that recently cleaned up at the Finnish JussiAwards.

This year's Scandinavian Film Festival is the thirdsequel to the successful LA showcase of Scandinavian films and film-makerslaunched in 2000. Each year, the festival pivots around the Scandinavian filmssubmitted for the foreign language Oscar category with additional screenings ofshort subjects and documentaries. The 4th Annual Scandinavian Film Festival LAruns from Jan 31-Feb 2.

August'scredits include A Song for Martin (2001), Smilla's Sense of Snow (1997) and The House of Spirits (1993).