Skellefteå, Sweden - January 25th 2026 - Swedish psychological thriller The Watchmaker, directed by Jonas Lawes and produced by David Berglund, has begun its festival journey following sold-out world premiere screenings at the Tromsø International Film Festival and strong audience interest at the Göteborg Film Festival, where an additional screening was added due to demand.

What makes the project particularly notable is its production journey. The independent feature moved from initial concept to completed film in just 15 months, an unusually concentrated timeline within the Nordic film industry.

Set in Stockholm in 1968, The Watchmaker unfolds largely inside a watchmaker’s workshop. A seemingly minor theft gradually escalates into a tense moral and psychological confrontation as suspicion spreads and loyalties begin to fracture within the confined space.

The film features ensemble performances from Otto Fahlgren, Hanna Alström, Olle Sarri and Casper Berglund. Rather than relying on spectacle, the narrative builds tension through proximity, silence and carefully observed character dynamics.

Behind the project stood a compact and highly focused team. The core creative group consisted of around ten people during development and expanded to approximately twenty during production, with more than sixty collaborators contributing across the full filmmaking process.

“It has been a privilege to collaborate with so many talented and passionate people,” says producer David Berglund. “When everyone understands the vision and the pace, it allows a project to move efficiently without compromising quality.”

Early reactions from critics and festival audiences have been positive. Swedish film publication MovieZine described the film as “an incredibly well-made and watchable” debut, while some audience members compared the tense chamber drama to “Swedish Reservoir Dogs.”

Following its festival screenings, the producers are now exploring international distribution opportunities.

Alongside the film’s festival momentum, The Watchmaker is also expanding into a broader narrative universe. A novella written in parallel with the film’s production has secured a publishing agreement and will be released on September 25, 2026 in print, digital and audio formats, expanding the story world introduced in the film.

An original music project inspired by the film’s themes and atmosphere is also planned for release later in 2026.

Produced independently outside traditional Nordic financing structures, The Watchmaker represents a focused example of independent filmmaking operating alongside established industry systems.

“Meeting so many creative and passionate people across the industry has been energising,” Berglund says. “The ambition now is to continue building the story and connecting with audiences through the right partners.”

Alongside the film’s festival momentum, The Watchmaker is also expanding into a broader narrative universe. A novella written in parallel with the film’s production has secured a publishing agreement and will be released on September 25, 2026 in print, digital and audio formats, expanding the story world introduced in the film.

An original music project inspired by the film’s themes and atmosphere is also planned for release later in 2026.

Produced independently outside traditional Nordic financing structures, The Watchmaker represents a focused example of independent filmmaking operating alongside established industry systems.

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