To Have and Have Not Achieved Gender Equality in the Swedish Film Industry : A feminist perspective on the Gothenburg Film Festival

This BA thesis studies Göteborg Film Festival from a feminist theoretical perspective. It examines how the festival responds to recent efforts of working towards gender equality in the film industry. Through an interview with Göteborg Film Festivals Artistic Director topics on gender equality, representation and initiatives on gender equality reforms are discussed and analysed with the help from literature in film festival studies, film studies and feminist studies alongside other printed materials such as the festival´s website, press releases and interviews. The thesis also examines the festival´s way of marketing itself during their 5050 Vision initiative. It further discusses how the festival’s work with gender equality and inclusion could at the same time be consolidating a normative social order in society. The thesis concludes that Göteborg Film Festival is a progressive festival with regards to its work towards gender equality. Measures include attempts towards a more gender balanced film festival programming as well as hosting seminars and summits discussing gender equality in the festival sector and in film production. Although Göteborg Film Festival has not yet achieved gender equality, it provides a role model for how festivals can take a stand in a contested cultural arena