Fanni Metelius made her feature film debut in 2018 with Hjärtat (The Heart), a modern love story that captivated young audiences. In addition to directing, she also wrote the screenplay, edited the film, and played the lead role. The cast also includes Suzanne Reuter and Ahmed Berhan. Hjärtat competed in the Bright Future section at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, a selection showcasing debut feature films characterized by original storytelling and a unique style, representing the most innovative voices in contemporary cinema.

The film has attracted widespread attention, provoking strong reactions and critical acclaim. Hjärtat has won several awards both internationally and in Sweden. In Sweden, it was awarded the Swedish Film Academy’s grant, and Fanni was nominated for the Rising Star award at the Stockholm International Film Festival. At the Sydney Film Festival, Cannes-winning producer Jan Chapman highlighted the film as one of the bravest she had ever seen.

Before her feature film debut, Fanni directed five award-winning short films, including the critically acclaimed Banga inte, which competed at the Berlin Film Festival, and her graduation film Du slickar mig aldrig, which won the Jury Prize at Nordic Talent.

 She holds a bachelor’s degree in film directing from Akademi Valand, has studied screenwriting at Alma, and has taken a master’s level course in TV series writing at Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH). In addition to her formal education, Fanni has extensive industry experience, having worked in various roles within film and television, including as an assistant director for Lukas Moodysson and Suzanne Osten. She has also trained in intimacy coordination and has worked in that capacity on Love & Anarchy and Barracuda Queens.

 Alongside her directing career, Fanni was nominated for a Guldbagge Award for her acclaimed acting performance in Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure.

 Currently, Fanni has several collaborations and projects in development as a screenwriter and director. She creates films with a modern perspective on relationships, with a strong focus on a female audience.

Agent: Martina Österling

Filmography

• 2001 (in development): Screenwriter, Director

• 2018 Hjärtat: Director, Screenwriter, Editor, Actor

• 2014 Du slickar mig aldrig: Director, Screenwriter, Editor, Actor

• 2011 Banga inte: Director, Screenwriter, Editor

• 2010 Maskros: Director, Screenwriter, Editor

• 2009 Delirium: Director, Screenwriter, Editor

• 2008 Någonting speciellt: Director, Editor

Education

• 2023: Writing a TV Series Season, Master’s Level, Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)

• 2019: Intimacy on Set, Ita O’Brien

• 2014-2015: Pure Fiction, Filmpool Mälardalen

• 2011-2014: Bachelor’s Degree in Film Directing and Visual Storytelling, Akademi Valand Film, Gothenburg

• 2010-2011: Screenwriting for Film and TV, Alma

• 2010: Moving Images and Gender, Stockholm University

• 2007-2009: Film Program, Fridhem

Publications, Awards & Nominations

• 2019: Hjärtat, Kurt Linder Memorial Fund Grant

• 2018: Hjärtat, Bo Widerberg Award

• 2018: Hjärtat, Best Debut Feature, REC-Tarragona International Film Festival

• 2018: Hjärtat, Bright Future Award Nominee, Rotterdam International Film Festival

• 2018: Hjärtat, Europe! Voices of Women in Film, Sydney Film Festival

• 2018: Hjärtat, International Women’s Film Festival Dortmund, Cologne

• 2017: Hjärtat, Anna Prize, WIFT & UN Women Sweden

• 2015: Force Majeure, Best Supporting Actress, Guldbagge Awards