“I love to be able to co-create this important film event,” says Festival Director Marit Kapla. “Göteborg International Film Festival is as important to the audience as to the filmmakers and film industry.”

Marit exudes positive energy when we meet for a chat at Hotel Riverton; the classic festival hotspot. And she has good reason to be happy: the first weekend was a success and there is much more to come before wrapping time.

“There are so many highlights,” says Marit. “Of course there is the Nordic Film Market starting on Thursday. And we’re happy to welcome many international guests. On Friday, for example, British director Sally Potter will discuss her film Rage in a master class.”

The festival theme SHARING came out of a discussion between Marit and several producers, including Petra Johansson, the curator for videoart at Borås Museum of Modern Art. Ms Johansson had recently visited the Venice Biennale and was inspired by the openness she found there among artists.

“We discussed the transparency of the artistic process,” says Marit. “And the word sharing was very timely. For example, the issue of illegal downloading was fresh on people’s minds. Also, the climate conference in Copenhagen was coming up and with that the question of how we can better share our natural resources.”

Like many English words, “sharing” translates in several ways into Swedish. “To take part in” and “to give of one’s resources to others” are just two ways to translate the word. This fact that the word lends itself to many positive associations and interpretations gives a hopeful feeling to the festival. Marit smiles and nods when I point this out.

As a journalist with a passion for film, being festival director seems like a dream. Before she has to run off, Marit can only confirm this. “I love my job more and more for every day,” she says with a big smile.

Solveig Haugen

Correspondent for filmfestivals.com