Nov 14, 2006, 16:27 GMT
Stockholm - Renowned Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman has given his name to a new award honouring promising film directors, organizers of the Goteborg International Film Festival said Tuesday.
The first Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award will be presented next year during the 30th edition of the film festival that runs from January 26 to February 5 in the west-coast city of Gothenburg.
The award is 'a way of encouraging young film makers to deal with the really important issues, in a time where the film industry more and more has taken on the shape and form of a butchery and fornication business,' Bergman said in a statement.
Organizers said the prize included one week's stay at the Bergman Week on Faro, a tiny island just off the northern tip of the Swedish Baltic Sea island Gotland, where Bergman has retired, as well an engraved stone from the director's own beach.
Bergman, 88, has used the island, known for its stark, rocky landscape as a setting for six films.
Hollywood director Ang Lee visited Faro this year to introduce the screening of his film The Ice Storm, and talk about his favourite Bergman film, Wild Strawberries.
The Taiwan-born director has described himself as 'a huge Bergman fan.'
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