The Swedish Film Institute (SFI) has greenlit six new Swedish feature films and given financial support to Lars von Trier's Manderlay.

Colin Nutley's English-language drama The Queen of Sheba's Pearls won most backing. $1.04m (SEK 8m) has been allocated to the film, which is being produced by Maritha Norstedt of Sweetwater Filmrights AB.

After a number of highly successful films about Sweden, the Stockholm-based director will focus on his native country England. The story is set against the backdrop of the British empire.

Lars Jonsson of Memfis Film will produce talented playwright Maria Blom's feature debut Masjavlar. The drama-comedy about loneliness won $971,000.

As co-producer of Lars von Trier's USA trilogy, Jonsson and Memfis also received $518,000 (SEK 4m) for Manderlay. All of the shooting will take place in Sweden's Trollhattan studios.

Illusion Film's Peter Hiltunen, European Producer on the Move in Cannes last year, will produce acclaimed director Lisa Ohlin's third feature film Sex, Hope and Love. The film was granted $945,000.

Other films to receive backing were Mats Ahren's drama Kocken, English-language thriller Rancid directed by Jack Ersgard, and Lena Einhorn's Ninas Resa.

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