It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Kjell Åhlund, a valued member of our board, who passed away over the weekend.
Kjell was a cherished colleague and friend, and his loss is a profound one for all of us. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time.
During his time with us, Kjell made significant contributions and was a driving force within our organization. His dedication and leadership will be deeply missed.
Kjell was committed to preserving Filmcentrum’s historical archive and honoring the pioneering filmmakers who were instrumental in its founding and its ongoing mission to democratize film production and distribution. He also played a key role in our future initiative – the launch of FC Play, a digital platform for film distribution.
He was passionate about every child’s right to quality films, regardless of their socioeconomic background or living conditions. Kjell tirelessly advocated for fair access to culture for children and young people – a conviction that permeated everything he did. Under his leadership, Filmcentrum reached over 2 million children and young people in 2023 alone – clear evidence of his commitment and vision.
But Kjell’s dedication did not stop there. He was also a strong voice for improving conditions for filmmakers, for fair film policy, and for equal opportunities within the film industry and its support systems. He carried with him many wise, important, and forward-thinking ideas – ideas that we in the organization and the board intend to honor and continue to work with. His thoughts will serve as a guiding light for our continued efforts for many years to come.
Kjell leaves behind an invaluable legacy – a legacy of justice, culture, and advocacy for children’s rights. We are deeply grateful for all that he has done.
For further information, please contact:
Casimir Artmann, Treasurer of the Board
mailto:casimir@filmcentrum.se