Mirja Wester Steps Down as CEO of Göteborg Film Festival
Mirja Wester has decided to step down from her position as CEO of the Göteborg Film Festival following the completion of the 2026 edition, which will mark her tenth festival in the role.
“When I first walked into a festival cinema as a 19-year-old volunteer, it was the beginning of a lifelong love story. From shifts at the box office at Draken, through formative years in the festival’s programming department, to now completing my tenth festival as CEO, the decision to hand over to new leadership feels right, even though it has been a difficult one to make. The festival is in a strong position, both artistically and organizationally, and I look back with great pride on how it has developed and on everything that I, together with truly extraordinary colleagues, have been able to accomplish in the service of audiences and the art of cinema,” says Mirja Wester.
Under Wester’s leadership, the festival has developed significantly, with growing audience numbers and a strengthened international reputation. At the same time, her tenure as CEO has been marked by major challenges, during a period when both society and the film industry have faced profound trials. Her ability to make strategic decisions at critical moments and to navigate uncertainty has been central to the festival’s progress. A clear example is how the Göteborg Film Festival rapidly transitioned to a digital format during the pandemic, reaching a record-breaking audience and achieving strong international visibility. This shift also contributed to the festival’s evolution into a truly national film festival for film lovers across Sweden.
“Mirja has led the Göteborg Film Festival with remarkable clarity and passion. Today, the festival is not only a major audience-driven celebration but also a key platform for the international film industry. Under Mirja’s leadership, the festival has successfully advanced its position and created even stronger meeting places, which is why we see an increasing number of international players choosing Göteborg for their most important industry meetings. Mirja leaves behind an organization that is stronger than ever. We wish her every success in her continued career,” says Karin Dalborg, Chair of the Board of the Göteborg Film Festival.
The Göteborg Film Festival is the largest film festival in the Nordic region, with approximately 270,000 visits annually and around 2,500 accredited guests from the film industry and press. The festival serves as a central meeting place for audiences, filmmakers, and industry professionals from around the world.
In spring 2026, Mirja Wester will take up the position of Head of Film and Performing Arts The Cultural Administration of Region Västra Götaland. The Board of the Göteborg Film Festival will now begin the process of recruiting the festival’s next CEO.