My internship with the Stockholm International Film Festival definitively shaped my experience in Stockholm. The Film Festival hosts numerous volunteers from all over the globe, facilitating opportunities to form lasting friendships with people from all walks of life.  My colleagues were Swedish, French, German, American (from Hawaii!), English, and countless other nationalities.  Like Stockholm and Stockholm University, the Film Festival boasted a lively international atmosphere.

While my official assignment—as an editor/proofreader for the festival’s English language version of the catalogue—required more time in the Festival’s office than out and about in the city, working with the hyper-cool and laid back staff of the festival made my time in Stockholm that much more enjoyable. It also doesn’t hurt that their office is located in a fun neighborhood right in the heart of central Stockholm.

The festival doesn’t exist in a singular space or venue in Stockholm—rather, it’s a pervasive presence throughout the city in November. Movies are shown in numerous venues and theatres; finding each of the screening locations became reasons for me to explore parts of the city that I may have otherwise missed. Some host theaters are new, modern facilities, while many others are Stockholm legends in their own rights, each with its own rich history.

As just one of the many perks of the job, I was able to see films (A LOT of films)–for free!  From indie flicks to more widely known productions, I saw countless films as a festival volunteer.   A perfect complement to my class in Swedish Film and Television culture, the festival provided even deeper insight into Swedish film culture and its relationship to the international film world.

By far, though, getting to hang out with my colleagues (other interns as well as festival admins) was the coolest part of my job.  Whether I was in the office laughing at jokes my boss cracked, at a hyper-hip festival premier party, or at a volunteer get-together in a cool pub, I loved being around the festival staff.  Not to mention, my festival friends/colleagues became newfound, willing subjects upon which I could practice my broken Swedish. (And watching all those films—either in Swedish or with Swedish subtitles—couldn’t have hurt my Swedish, right?)

Hälsningar!

Taylor Hamrick,

Davidson College

Fall Semester, 2011