Claire Denis will be the first female director to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Stockholm International Film Festival.

Denis directed her first feature film in 1988, Chocolat. She’s also directed Nenette and Boni, 35 Shots of Rum and White Material amongst others. Her latest is Bastards, which will screen before Denis is awarded with the Bronze Horse.

The Stockholm jury released a statement about Denis.

Claire Denis refuses to close her eyes to the creative and destructive force unleashed by human weaknesses. A bold explorer of postcolonial Africa and the
dark corners of modern society, who invites the audience to an exposed universe that is beautiful and raw. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to a
filmmaker who continues to seek what others turn away from, always fearless and with a rare eye for visual poetry.

Denis will receive the award on November 7th. The Stockholm International Film Festival runs from November 6–17.