He is the recipient of Film i Väst’s new award, The Golden Shrimp

The jury’s motivation reads:
This year’s recipient has an extensive list of films to his name. Through smart creative collaborations, high cinematic ambitions, and a strong artistic drive, he has succeeded in reaching audiences both nationally and internationally. This year’s award winner has helped create films with both edge and breadth—films that have moved, provoked, and entertained—and that have won prestigious awards as well as the love of broad audiences. This year’s recipient has been a decisive factor in the West Swedish film wave and in Film i Väst, from the very beginning up to now, and in shaping Västra Götaland into the strong film region it is today. Together with a number of compelling creatives and colleagues, this year’s award winner has written himself into Swedish hearts 4-ever, and has also brought Show Me Love to a global audience. Jalla, Jalla—this year’s recipient is Lars Jönsson!

Kristina Börjeson, Head of Production at Film i Väst, about this year’s award winner:
Awards are fun, they make people happy, and we should take every opportunity to celebrate film whenever we can! Lars Jönsson has done so much for the region, for Swedish cinema, and for Film i Väst— we could not imagine a more deserving recipient of The Golden Shrimp!

Lars Jönsson is a film producer and founder of the production company Memfis Film. He has produced a number of acclaimed films in close collaboration with directors such as Lukas Moodysson, Josef Fares, and Maria Blom. The collaboration between Film i Väst and Memfis Film began early on and has laid the foundation for several major critical and commercial successes, including House of Angels, Show Me Love, Together, and Jalla! Jalla! Jönsson has also produced internationally recognized films such as Moodysson’s Lilja 4-ever and Mammoth.

The newly established award, The Golden Shrimp, will be presented annually. It is awarded to a person who has made significant contributions to film in the region Västra Götaland. The award consists of a shrimp glass statuette created by artist Sofia Bergman and glassblower Micke Johansson. And—naturally—one kilo of shrimp.