Göteborg Film Festival 2027

About Göteborg Film Festival

Göteborg Film Festival has been part of Nordic film culture since 1979 and has grown into the largest film festival in the Nordic region. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, it combines a large public programme with one of the region’s most important professional meeting points.

International cinema, Nordic films, documentaries, Swedish work and debut features sit alongside Nordic Film Market and TV Drama Vision, giving the festival a strong connection to both audiences and the film industry.

The festival’s scale is substantial, with roughly 250 films from around 80 countries and a large audience across cinemas and online presentation.

Göteborg International Feature and Documentary Routes

For filmmakers outside Sweden, the main submission route begins at 50 minutes. Non-Nordic feature films can enter the International Competition, while documentaries of 55 minutes or more can be considered for the International Documentary Competition.

The festival’s short-film route is reserved for Swedish films, making Göteborg primarily a feature and documentary target for most international filmmakers.

Swedish-premiere status is central to the festival’s international positioning, so a film’s screening and release calendar should be planned with that window in mind.

Göteborg Film Festival 2027 Dates, Deadline and International Submission Rules

The 50th Göteborg Film Festival takes place from 29 January to 7 February 2027. The current submission deadline is 15 October 2026.

International films from outside Sweden enter through routes for work of 50 minutes or more. The International Documentary Competition begins at 55 minutes, and the International Competition covers non-Nordic feature films. The Ingmar Bergman Competition is dedicated to first- and second-time feature directors.

Eligible films need to preserve their Swedish premiere, and the first public screening of the film must be on or after 1 January 2026. Works in progress are accepted.

Göteborg Selected-Film Delivery Requirements

Selected films require an English-subtitled DCP for delivery by 8 January 2027, together with the film information needed for festival publication.

Göteborg’s Dragon Award structure includes major competition prizes. The SEK 400,000 Dragon Award Best Nordic Film belongs specifically to the Nordic Competition, while international films compete within their own sections.

For international feature and documentary filmmakers, Göteborg is strongest when runtime, competition fit and Swedish-premiere timing are aligned early in the festival plan.

Protecting the Swedish-Premiere Window for Göteborg

For international films, Göteborg is primarily a feature and documentary target and requires a Swedish premiere. AD1 FILM can review runtime, competition fit and previous screening history, then position the film in the appropriate international route while protecting the Swedish-premiere window in the wider festival sequence.