WORK ETHICS | ON NOX PICTURES

SYNOPSIS

“Work Ethics” is a tragicomic short film based on real events about a young consultant who seizes an opportunity at the office summer party. Only to discover that in this workplace, the rules are written by the people who will never have to follow them.

THE DIRECTOR

Johan Stavsjö has been working in the film and TV industry for over seven years. During that time, he has worked with several of Sweden’s largest production companies, including FLX and SF Studios. His credits include working as 1st AD on the theatrical feature film The Abyss, as well as Assistant Director and 2nd Unit Director on the feature film Trouble and the upcoming TV series Golden Boys, about the Trustor affair, for TV4.

In addition, Johan is an educated director and screenwriter, with studies at Pace University, Stockholm Film School, Biskops Arnö, and currently at Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH), where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Film Directing in collaboration with Stockholm University.

In 2022, Johan was selected for Film Stockholm’s talent initiative “New Voices”. Since then, he has directed and produced several high-quality short films through his production company Canelake Films, with his work screening at film festivals in Sweden and internationally. His short film Debut is available to stream on Amazon Prime and has screened at more than 20 film festivals, including Bushwick Film Festival and Chain Film Festival in New York, where it won Best International Short Film.

Most recently, Johan wrote and directed the short film An Artist’s Soul, starring Matilda Källström, Oskar Laring, Johannes Kuhnke, Filip Berg and Liv Mjönes. The film had its world premiere at the Santa Fe International Film Festival in October 2025 and went on to win the 1 KM Film competition at the Stockholm International Film Festival.

Johan is currently completing his Master’s studies in Film Directing at Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH) in Stockholm. His most recent project is his upcoming first feature film, which he will direct and shoot in autumn 2026.

As a director, Johan is drawn to character-driven stories that explore the pain and complexity of everyday life while ultimately leaving room for hope. A passionate cineaste, he watches more than one film a day on average and visits the cinema approximately twice a week.

DIRECTOR'S VISION

This film is the culmination of my mothers experience in a maledominated

workplace where she was sexually harrased and the anger and frustration of people I know and love who continue to be diminished, violated, and harassed on a daily basis.

The MeToo movement began in October 2017, more than EIGHT years ago but the narrative I hear today is that it's “too woke,” when in reality both men and women are still being harassed in workplaces around the world every day.

As a director, I want to challenge and merge the conventions of drama and comedy: a grounded, realistic tone with dramatic performances, where the comedy arises from the absurdity and darkness of the situations.

This film is based on real events, where every incident described has happened to someone I love. I will not stop until my mother’s story, and the stories of those who never had the chance to tell theirs, are heard.”

— Johan Stavsjö, Director

THE PROJECT

Work Ethics is an tragicomic short film exploring the subtle nature of workplace harassment in a post-MeToo era. It follows Michaela, an overlooked consultant who strategically places herself next to the company’s charismatic CEO at a summer party in hopes of finally being seen. What begins as a clever career move quickly spirals into an absurd night of gaslighting and manipulation. Merging drama with dark comedy, the film exposes a toxic corporate culture where loyalty to power outweighs the truth.

HOW IT CAME TO BE

The project gained major momentum after winning the prestigious 1 KM FILM Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival. This milestone united producers Sebastian Martinez and Linn Hansson. Both bring years of extensive industry experience, with Linn currently pursuing her Master's degree in film producing at the Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH).

The collaboration between ON NOX PICTURES and Canelake Films marks a significant landmark for both production companies. Backed by full support from prominent financiers, including the Swedish Film Institute and Film Stockholm, the team is now ready to bring this vital story to the screen.

THE CREW

CREATIVE

Director: Johan Stavsjö

Writers: Johan Stavsjö & Anja Ullberg

Producers: Sebastian Martinez & Linn Hansson
Associate Producer: David Martinez
Line Producer: Melisa Ferhatovic

ACTORS
Michaela: Matilda Källström
Adrian: Vilhelm Blomgren
Sarah: Madeleine Martin
LudwIig: Egon Ebbersten

CREW

Director of Photography: Simon Averin Markström

Focus puller: Jesper Lundqvist
Clapper Loader: Ella Engström
Gaffer: Johan Gärskog
Best Girl Electric: Evelina Magnusson

Sound technician: Alessandro Ekman Cassinari

Boom operator: Jonas Bogsjö & Birk Overå

First assistant director: Oskar Wernhede
Second assistant director: Joel Wiklund Ekman
Extras Casting Director:Tara Fouladi
Intimacy Coordinator: Sara Arrhusius

Script supervisor: Sara Dutta & Bianca Holm

Production designer: Charlie von Sivers
Property master: Thea Draste
prop dresser: Alice Franzen
Costume Designer: Clara Jängemyr
Makeup Designer: Daniela Krestelica
Assistant Makeup Artist: Rebecca Nilsson & Daniela Mengarel
Still photographer: Svante Löfgren

Craft: Caroline Lindsten

Catering: P2
Rental: Storyline Rental

POST PRODUCTION

Editor: Alexander Linder

Colorist: Axel Rundqvist

VFX: Fredrik Lindton

Sound design: Onni Tolonen

Additional sound design & mix: Ponytail Sound

Online: TINT POST

Exports: Tint Post

MUSIC

Composer: Amanda Karström & Albin Eidhagen