Filmfest Munich 2025: Stellan Skarsgård receives Cinemerit Award

It is a late, but all the more valuable recognition for one of the most versatile character actors in his generation: Stellan Skarsgård (74) is awarded the Cinemerit Award at the 42nd Filmfest Munich. The honor recognizes the Swedish actor for his extraordinary achievements in film art, which extends over decades.

“We honor an extraordinary artist with Stellan Skarsgård,” explain the artistic director of the film festival, Julia Weigl and Christoph Gröner. The actor bondage his audience worldwide and inspires with every role. Its versatility is shown in large blockbusters and more intimate art house productions.

The event on June 29 in the American Theater Hall promises to become a special event. There, Skarsgård will not only receive the award, but also present his latest film “Sentimental Value” – a work that has already caused a sensation internationally.

The film, a collaboration with the renowned director Joachim Trier (51), tells the moving story of a father-daughter relationship and was awarded the Grand Prix of the jury at this year’s film festival in Cannes. Now the drama is celebrating its premiere in Munich.

Skarsgård’s career began at the age of 16 with the Swedish TV series “Bombi Bitt Och Jag”. The international breakthrough followed in 1990 with “hunting for red October” alongside Sean Connery (1930-2020). But the Swede never specifically searched for big roles – it was more likely to be a “bass line”, the others enabled the melody.

Nevertheless, he became a main character of international cinema: when Jan Nyman in Lars von Triers (69) “Breaking the Waves” began a close artistic cooperation with the Danish director, who occupied him in almost all his films. In parallel, Skarsgård also conquered the mainstream cinema with roles in “Curse of the Caribbean”, “Mamma Mia!”, “Avengers” and finally “Dune”.

At the end of May, the Munich Film Festival announced the first award winner for this year: US actress Gillian Anderson (56) is also awarded the Cinemerit Award for her services to film art. The highlight is the Germany premiere of her film “The Salzpfad”.