The planned Jewish International Film Festival in Malmö has been paused after cinemas and other venues refused to rent spaces due to security concerns. Organizers had received 210,000 SEK in support from Region Skåne and Malmö city, but despite a ready program, plans stalled. Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand calls it deplorable and provocative.
The idea for the Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) in Malmö was born in the spring, initiated by Ola Tedin, formerly in the film industry, and his friend Sofia. They saw a niche in the city, which already hosts a large Arab film festival and a children's and youth film festival. “Malmö has a large Arab film festival and a children's and youth film festival. We thought this would fit in, there's a niche to fill,” says Tedin.
Region Skåne and Malmö city granted a total of 210,000 SEK in support, and a film group assembled a program of newly produced Jewish films. Despite this, both commercial cinemas and smaller venues refused. Eventually, a theater hall in Folkets hus at Nobeltorget was found, but even there, the rental was halted. “The theater wanted to rent to us. But when Folkets hus found out, they said no. For security reasons,” Tedin explains. Folkets hus cited concerns for the safety of the audience and staff.
Tedin has spoken with Malmö's dialog police, who state that events about Jewish life have always gone peacefully. “It feels strange,” he says. The festival is now paused, but Tedin hopes for solutions in Skåne by spring and emphasizes the importance of feeling welcome.
Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand (M) is outraged by the decision. “I think it's completely deplorable that things look like this in 2025. I feel both sad and grieved, and at the same time provoked that it's like this; that we don't have a society where we can highlight one of our national minorities, which is also celebrating 250 years of Jewish life in Sweden,” she says. She calls it tragic and criticizes publicly funded operations that refuse, noting their special responsibility as recipients of tax funds.
Reactions are strong. Irene Hernberg, PR manager at Filmstaden Norden, explains: “We made that decision for our employees' safety.” Politicians like Simona Mohamsson (L) write on X that “Antisemitism is being normalized in Malmö.” Nils Paarup-Petersen (C) calls it “completely unacceptable,” and John Roslund (SD) “eerie.” Fredrik Sjögren (L) in Region Skåne's culture committee has tasked the administration to explore regional premises, while Janne Grönholm (MP) in Malmö suggests returning to the refusing cinemas.