Malin Barr

Writer / Director

Official Website
Agent Biography Credits Download CV

Biography

Malin Barr is a Swedish writer, director, and actor working between Stockholm and Los Angeles, whose work centres on female-driven stories, often blending dark humour with genre elements. She is an alumni of the Alma Löv Screenwriting Academy and the Cine Qua Non Writers Lab. Her latest short film, SAUNA SICKNESS, premiered in competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and was an official selection at the Göteborg Film Festival, SXSW London, among others. The film is represented by Premium Films (Paris) and has secured distribution with Canal+ and is getting a theatrical release with The Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour, 2026.

Malin’s filmmaking explores the space between identities, cultures, and emotional truths. Having lived across Scandinavia, the US, and the UK, she is drawn to stories that bridge perspectives, combining a Scandinavian sensibility with a strong sense of pace and structure. Her work blends psychology, humour, and discomfort to examine the contradictions of human behaviour. Focused on character-driven, often female-centred stories, she explores identity, family and relationship dynamics, and power. Fascinated by the ways we connect, disconnect, and hide behind social masks, she is particularly drawn to characters who alienate themselves or self-sabotage in their search for connection. Through her work, she strives to create complex, emotionally layered characters that reflect the messiness of the human experience.

Credits

Short Films

Production Company Notes
SAUNA SICKNESS
2026 		BARR PIX AB

Director &  Screenwriter.

Psycho-Drama/ Dark Comedy, 15 min.

Produced by BARR PIX AB

Executive Producer: Jim
Cummings.

Official selections:

Sundance Film Festival (Grand Jury Nominee), Göteborg Film Festival (Dragon
Award Nominee), SXSW London, Kortfilmsfestivalen
Grimstad, Santa Barbara Film Festival, Biarritz Film Festival, Nouvelles Vagues (Best Short Nominee).

Theatrical release 2026, with Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour. Secured distribution by Canal+.
RED FLAG
2024 		N/A

Co-Director & Screenwriter.

Horror-Comedy, 12 min.

Official selections:

Brooklyn Horror, FilmQuest
(Nominated for the Minerva Award).

HollyShorts.

Popcorn Frights & more
EVERGREEN
2022 		N/A

Director & Screenwriter.

Official selections:

HollyShorts, Brooklyn Horror, Ravenna Nightmare (IT), Stockholm Shorts, Female Feedback Film Festival: Winner (Best Film).

Distributed on Shorts TV (US/Europe).
HEDDA NEEDS HELP
2017 		N/A

Screenwriter & Producer

Comedy, 12 min.

Official Selections:

Renaissance Film Festival (UK): Winner (Best Film), Female Feedback Film Festival: Honourable Mention (Best Film), London Story First Film Festival: Nominated (Best Comedy).

Distributed on Shorts TV (US/Europe).

In Development

Production Company Notes
SAUNA SICKNESS

Director & Screenwriter.

Original Idea, developed from the Sundance Film Festival short film Sauna Sickness (2026).

Currently in development with Ida Larsson and Siri Hjortron Wagner & sic film & Alex Bendo, Lexi Preiser (US).
SEE ME

Director & Screenwriter.

Feature, Coming-of-Age Drama, 120 min.

Developed at Cine Qua Non Storylines Lab 2022.
HELL ON EARTH

Director & Screenwriter.

Coming-of-Age, Satirical Horror, 100 min.

Semi-Finalist, Sundance Development Lab 2025.
IT WALKS ON ALL FOURS

Co-Director & Screenwriter.

Feature, Survival Horror.

Developed with Sam and Mike Boroviec.

Currently in Fantastic Fest Pitch Competition for Chroma Pictures.
REHEARSAL DINNER

Co-Director & Screenwriter.

Feature, Murder Mystery Dramedy.

Developed with Cleo Handler.
Malin Barr
Malin Barr
Download CV Contact agent