Youth Film Award for drama about responsibility and reconciliation

12.3.2026 20:39:27 | Church of Sweden | Press release

Olmo is set in 1970s New Mexico, USA, where the family of 14-year-old Olmo (Aivan Uttapa) is in a difficult situation, with a father suffering from MS who needs round-the-clock care. Olmo’s mother and sister bear the brunt of this, but one night, Olmo and his best friend Miguel are left in charge. At the same time, the boys get the chance to go to a party at the girl next door’s house, whom Olmo has a secret crush on, and matters come to a head.

“Olmo is a film that uses humour and warmth to take a ‘light’ approach to serious topics such as economic vulnerability, the lack of a social safety net and serious illness,” says Kristina Klingberg, chair of the jury for the Church of Sweden’s Youth Film Award. “I hope the film will serve as a conversation starter for both young people and adults about what’s actually important in life.”

The jury’s motivation

“Drawing on a plotline seen in American teenage movies, the director unexpectedly leads us into existential questions about reconciliation, responsibility and humanity. Because that’s what this film is – on the one hand, a silly comedy about a 14-year-old’s attempts to seduce the girl next door, and on the other, a political drama about how dependent on each other family members become when there’s not enough money to go round and no social safety net. Over the course of 84 minutes, the audience gets to laugh, be moved and reflect on what’s actually important in life. This year’s winner of the Church of Sweden Award is Olmo.”

Jury for the Church of Sweden Youth Film Award 2026

Kristina Klingberg – Jury chair. Deacon in the Church of Sweden Malmö, specialising in youth work and the church’s relationship with Malmö’s upper secondary schools.

Felix Illi – parish educator in Höllviken parish, with a particular focus on confirmation and youth work. As well as being a major consumer of films and series, Felix is a long-time LARPer, tabletop role player and former rock musician.

Emma Gray Munthe – Film journalist who reviews films in the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet and on public service television SVT. In addition to BUFF, Emma has been on juries at festivals such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and Cannes.

Pelle Rådström – Screenwriter who won the Nordic Script Series Award at the Gothenburg Film Festival for the television series Smärtpunkten. His most recent work is the feature film Kevlarsjäl, which was nominated for seven Guldbagge film awards and won three. 

The Church of Sweden Youth Film Award

The Church of Sweden Youth Film Award has been awarded since 2007. It goes to a film that touches both young people and adults and highlights current, existential, justice and social issues. The prize money is SEK 100 000. It is jointly funded by the national level of the Church of Sweden, Lund Diocese and Malmö group of parishes.

Read more about the award and previous winners (swedish).