Jannike Ahlund has been appointed director of Sweden's Goteborg Film Festival, the annual focus of the Nordic film industry which celebrated its 25th anniversary in January.

She replaces Gunnar Bergdahl, who stepped down earlier this year after 15 years with the festival.

Ahlund has a 20-year association with the festival, but has most recently worked as a freelance journalist for many of Sweden's leading newspapers, as well as editing the film magazine Chaplin

While her appointment becomes effective August 19, she will represent the Swedish festival in Cannes.

"I'm very happy with the appointment of Jannike," said Svante Hjerten, Goteborg's administrative director. "We have been looking for a person with great knowledge of film, respect in the business and a creative mind. She has all those skills. We have already talked about the future of the festival and we have some very interesting plans."

At the same time, freelance journalist Rebecka Hamberger has been hired as a full-time programmer for the festival.

Outgoing festival director Gunnar Bergdahl's Ingmar Bergman; Intermezzo will be screened in Cannes' Directors' Fortnight.

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