She Monkeys director among five women nominated for new $750,000 (SEK 5m) production grant

Lisa Aschan (She Monkeys) is among five female directors nominated for the Stockholm Film Fund, the Stockholm Film Festival’s (Nov 9 -20) new production award of $750,000 (SEK 5m SEK).

The five nominees are Jane Magnusson, Wing-Yee Wu, Stina Bergman, Sofia Norlin and Aschan, whose horror-drama is an adaptation of successful local play Forvaret. Aschan’s acclaimed She Monkeys won the Best Narrative Feature, World Narrative Competition, at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

“Their projects are outstanding, both in style and narrative; original stories which we want to see on film in Sweden,” said Program Manager and jury member George Ivanov.

The winner will be announced on Nov 19 at the Stockholm International Film Festival’s award ceremony with the winner granted SEK 5m, a premiere at the festival in 2012 and local distribution through NonStop Entertainment. All other nominees will receive development support of $38,000 (SEK 250,000).

The award is open to women who have directed no more than two previous features and is supported by the festival and sponsors Telia, the Swedish Film Institute, Resource Companies for Film & Television in Sweden, Cinepost and Dagljus.