Last year we reported on the creation of the Stockholm Film Fund Feature Film Award which gives a female director over $700,000 towards her film.

Using the lack of women directors in competition as one of the clear needs for the fund, the Stockholm Film Festival, which launched the fund, came to Cannes with footage from the first film funded Sofia Norlin’s Tenderness.

Here’s what Git Scheynius, the Festival Director said about the need for the fund. “The Competition section at Cannes 2012 is proof of the continued need to highlight and show more films by female directors. Our initiative is a step in that direction.” They also launched the 2012 competition for the fund.

Here’s some info about the Feature Film Award:

In May 2011, the Stockholm International Film Festival launched the Feature Film Award, with Telia as the main financier and support from the Swedish Film Institute, Cinepost, Dagsljus and NonStop Entertainment. The award is given to a female director with a clear vision and a strong story. The nominees are selected through an evaluation based on the script, previous productions and audience potential, as well as the team’s ability to carry out production according to schedule and budget.

Tenderness will premiere at the 2012 Stockholm Film Festival which takes place in November from the 7 to the 18.