For the first time ever, a Swedish film opens the Stockholm film festival. Josef Fares latest film Leo will have its world premiere at the 18th international film festival, which takes place November 15-25.
Leo celebrates his 30th birthday. Surrounded by family and friends, he toasts to the future. But as the party ends and Leo and his girlfriend walk back home, something happens which will forever change their lives.

After great success with Jalla! Jalla! (2000), Kops (2003) and Zozo (2005), Swedish director Josef Fares returns with his fourth feature. Fares’ previous films have been widely praised by critics and audiences alike, in Sweden and abroad. Zozo was awarded with the Nordic Council Film Prize and was Sweden’s nomination for the Academy Awards in 2005.

“I always wanted to have a film in the Stockholm film festival. It feels great to have the world premiere of Leo in my own hometown”, says Josef Fares.

Leo is a dense, dramatic thriller starring Leonard Terfelt, Shahab Salehi and Josef Fares himself. Fares has both directed and written the screenplay. Producer: Memfis/Anna Anthony. Distributor: Sonet Film.

“We are very proud to open the festival with Leo. It is a current and powerful film which shows a new side to one of Europe’s most interesting young directors”, says festival director Git Scheynius.

Leo will open in Swedish theatres on November 30.