Bier to Sundance and award in Goa

FESTIVAL. "In a Better World" is up for its US launch at Sundance in January. The invitation to participate in the Spotlight section fell on Thursday 2 December, as the International Film Festival of India in Goa honoured Susanne Bier with an award for Best Director.

Winding up its 41st edition on Thursday evening, 2 December, the International Film Festival of India presented the Silver Peacock Award to Susanne Bier for "In a Better World". A dozen hours later, the Sundance Film Festival announced that it is inviting Bier's film to participate in the Spotlight section, which showcases a choice selection of films that have stood out at festivals worldwide.

"In a Better World" was first introduced to an international audience at the film festival in Toronto in September and has since won several awards, including Rome's Grand Jury Prize. Sold to more than 30 countries, the film has already enjoyed successful theatrical releases in Sweden and Norway and will open in Spain and Italy in the beginning of 2011. Also, "In a Better World" is in the Oscar race for a nomination in the best foreign-language category.

Greece's largest film festival in Thessaloniki is currently showing eight of Bier's films, ranging from her 1991 feature film debut "Freud Leaving Home" to "In a Better World", and will furthermore be hounouring the director with a Creative Excellence Award for her "brave" and "generous" cinema.

International sales for "In a Better World" are handled by TrustNordisk.com.

Sundance Film Festival / 20-30 January
International Film Festival of India / 22 November – 2 December
Thessaloniki International Film Festival / 3-12 December