Gunilla Bergström

Screenwriter

Gunilla Bergström awarded the Honorary Prize 2021

Gunilla Bergström, born in 1942 in Göteborg, worked as a journalist before becoming a full-time author. Her realistic and philosophically grounded stories about Alfons Åberg and Bill and Bolla have been cherished by generation after generation, inspiring a wide range of short and feature-length films that have become as beloved and influential as her books.

Since the first Alfons film, Hurry Up, Alfons Åberg directed by Per Åhlin, Gunilla Bergström was deeply involved in the film productions—not only as a screenwriter but also as a key creative force, influencing everything from animation style to film music.

During the Göteborg Film Festival Prisma, the film Aja Baja, Alfons Åberg, directed by Tomas Alfredson, was premiered. Gunilla Bergström was originally meant to accept the award during the festival's opening ceremony, but she passed away on August 23 at the age of 79. As a result, the prize was awarded to her posthumously.