World premieres and brand-new short films – the Way Out West film program is now complete, and the schedule is out!
Way Out West is just around the corner, and the festival is nearly sold out. Now, we present the final titles to its film program. Lisa Langseth’s new feature The Dance Club will have its world premiere at this year’s Way Out West, with both the director and cast in attendance. The lineup also includes nine fresh Swedish short films and a highly buzzed-about new take on cult classic The Toxic Avenger.
Twenty titles had already been announced, including the Swedish premieres of Joachim Trier’s Cannes-acclaimed Sentimental Value, Oscar-nominated Celine Song’s Materialists, plus midnight horror screenings, a strong selection of music documentaries, and exciting new Swedish feature films.
Lisa Langseth – the director behind the hit series Love & Anarchy – returns to the festival with the world premiere of The Dance Club, a dark comedy about mental health. At the profit-driven clinic Care, psychology student Johannes finds himself at odds with the system, but unexpectedly aligns with a group of patients. Together, they form The Dance Club – seeking alternatives to diagnoses and medication in dealing with life’s pain points. The cast includes Alva Bratt, Nils Wetterholm, Matias Varela, Evelyn Mok, and Pernilla August.
“I’m excited to finally share The Dance Club – the film is longing for its audience, and I can’t think of a better context for its premiere than Way Out West. It’s a wild mix of mental-health-western and dance comedy that I hope will speak to the festival crowd,” says Lisa Langseth.
Way Out West will also host the Swedish premiere of The Toxic Avenger, a reimagining of the iconic 1980s cult film – now with a blend of dark comedy, action, and social satire. After a freak accident, an unlikely anti-hero transforms into a mop-wielding mutant avenger. With Peter Dinklage as Toxie and an all-star cast including Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, and Taylor Paige, this is a wild yet heartfelt update.
There’s also a special screening of Queens of the Stone Age: Alive In The Catacombs – taking place the very same day the band performs on one of the festival’s main stages. The full band will appear at Cinema Slottsskogen to present the film!
The Way Out West film section has grown into one of Sweden’s most prestigious short film showcases. This year’s program features nine brand-new Swedish shorts in a bold and eclectic mix. Among them: Myggor & Salta Pinnar, the latest work by multi-artist Ville Gobi starring Sanna Sundqvist, Leif Andrée, Eric Stern, and musician Stefan Sundström. Other highlights include Vad vet du om oss by Enzo Paredes Diaz, a poetic film based on a track by Gottsunda rapper Jacco; Världen är din by Chimichurri featuring Gothenburg rapper Asme; and Parkerad by Wasima Ayad, with cinematography by two-time Guldbagge-winner Lisabi Fridell and a soundtrack by acclaimed producer Nisj (Jelassi, Silvana Imam, among others).
FULL LINEUP IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT
THE DANCE CLUB by Lisa Langseth. Drama, Sweden (2025). World Premiere.
THE TOXIC AVENGER by Macon Blair. Drama, USA (2025). Swedish Premiere.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE: ALIVE IN THE CATACOMBS by Thomas Rames. Documentary, USA (2025). Swedish Premiere.
Way Out West Short Films 2025
– DEN SISTA MÅLTIDEN by Yohannes Frezgi. Drama, Sweden (2025)
– I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS by Hanna Järgenstedt. Animation, Sweden (2025)
– MYGGOR & SALTA PINNAR by Ville Gobi. Drama, Sweden (2025)
– PARKERAD by Wasima Ayad. Drama, Sweden (2024)
– RÅTTAN IBLAND OSS by Emil & Mattias Ramos. Drama, Sweden (2025)
– SEA ANGELS by Cissi Efraimsson. Animation, Sweden (2025)
– VAD VET DU OM OSS by Enzo Paredes Diaz. Drama, Sweden (2025)
– VI GÅR INTE HÄRIFRÅN by Lukas Moodysson. Drama, Sweden (2025)
– VÄRLDEN ÄR DIN by Chimichurri. Drama, Sweden (2025)
