SF Studios CEO leaves amid scandal

The CEO of Bonnier-owned Scandinavian film and TV firm SF Studios has been removed from the post following allegations of sexism and improper conduct.

Jonas Fors

Jonas Fors can “no longer successfully serve as leader for SF Studios” and has now left the company, Bonnier announced over the weekend.

Frida Westerberg, deputy CEO and chief operating officer, has taken over as acting CEO of the company as it searches for Fors’ replacement.

Fors’ departure comes amid an awkward period in the media spotlight for SF Studios, one of Europe’s oldest film and TV companies, which rebranded last month from Svensk Filmindustri.

The company has been accused of having a sexist culture and local media has criticised its activity at the recent Cannes Film Festival, where it rented a yacht and is said to have racked up large bills at strip clubs.

“In recent days, harsh criticism has been levelled at SF Studios regarding the company’s corporate culture, in particular in connection with gender equality, as well as regarding the company’s conduct at the film festival in Cannes and the company’s business model for its film and TV productions,” said Ulrika Saxon, Bonnier’s representative on the board of directors for SF Studios.

“In order to get to the facts concerning the company’s work culture, we will be bringing in a third party to conduct a thorough survey among SF Studios’ employees.

“SF Studios will continue to invest heavily in Swedish and Nordic films in the future, so it is crucial that the production business be economically viable. In order to do so, SF Studios must continue to attract top talent from within the industry.

“To succeed in this will require both a good work environment within the corporate organisation as well as the confidence of other players in the industry.

Fors was appointed CEO following the merger of SF Studios and production company Tre Vänner in 2013.

The company’s headquarters are in Stockholm and it has a catalogue of more than 1,200 films. Its TV productions include Seaside Hotel, Rita and Norskov.

The Nordic operations encompass film and TV production and distribution, with international partners including MGM, Warner Bros and Twentieth Century Fox.