When the team behind Carl International Film Festival in Karlskrona, Sweden, realized that restrictions for public gatherings would present serious obstacles for this year's festival, they were forced to rethink the festival concept. As a result, this August, one of Karlskrona's fishing harbors will transform into a big cinema where the audience is going to enjoy international films and Swedish classics from their boats.

This year is the fourth time Carl International Film Festival is arranged in Karlskrona. The plan was as usual to use the local cinema as well as other screening venues around the town - however the global pandemic presented a huge challenge and forced the team to be more creative.

Karlskrona is the most southern Swedish archipelago made up of 1,650 islands, islets and skerries. With its multiple harbors and warm summer days it has always been a city with a special love for water. This time we will be able to merge the two - love for film and water in the magic environment of the archipelago.

After a close dialogue with local municipality, police and coast guard, the festival concept has landed in Saltö Fish Harbor.

- This is going to be the world's first film festival on water where the audience keeps a safe distance from each other by staying on their boats and watch films, says Festival Director Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben.

A 81 square meter LED screen will be erected. Up to 30 boats will be able to fit into the “festival harbor.” The audience will be able to order food from close-by restaurants and have it delivered to the bridges without having to leave the comfort of their boats.

There will be security staff and divers at the festival area. Everything to provide the highest level of security, continues Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben.

This year's festival program runs from early morning to late evening. 27 screenings across five days (August 21-25) will include both international films from Baltic Sea Region and Swedish classics. In addition to the films festival's program includes music, interactive seminars, and conversations with filmmakers.

The Baltic Sea Competition will also run for the third time, awarding the Carl's Crown Award with a prize of €2500 (25,000 SEK).

Carla 2020 - a Global Digital Conference on Diversity and Inclusion in the Film and TV industry - as well as Carl Film Forum, are the two parallel digital program tracks that will be offered to the audience.

Carl International Film Festival is also Sweden's first online international film festival where the visitors can watch films and follow the festival program even from the sofa at home.

The focus country is Sweden and the theme is “Hope through Action”.

- We were on the verge of canceling the festival, but we decided to transform the festival instead, - says Festival Director Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben. The result is going to be unique - Karlskrona becomes a film city on water.

The team behind Carl International Film Festival believes that this creative concept inspired by the global pandemic can put a start to a new world's unique attraction in the beautiful archipelago of Southern Sweden.

For more information: Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben, Festival Director, +46 708-859951; jp@ciff.se

www.ciff.se