Hazelight Studios is behind games like “It Takes Two” and “Split Fiction.” The latter was nominated for four awards at last year’s Game Awards.
“Land of Opportunities”
Now the company is being praised by the government for combining "artistic height with global impact."
It means a lot. I mentioned in my acceptance speech that, for bureaucratic reasons, we were not allowed to enter Sweden the first four times we tried. But I have always been grateful to Sweden, which I call “the land of opportunities,” says Fares.
He first made his name as a film director with films like “Jalla! Jalla!” and “Kopps”, but founded his own studio Hazelight in 2014. The company's international success is due to the fact that the games are unique experiences, says Josef Fares.
I think we found something unique that hasn't been played before. I rely a lot on my gut feeling, trusting my intuition and vision.
What do you have planned for the future?
Lots of exciting things. I can't talk about it now for various reasons, but we have super cool stuff coming up.
Bornebusch and Westman
When it comes to the gaming industry in Sweden, Josef Fares thinks that there is generally too much talk about economics and too little about the other values that games create.
"What I'm most proud of, when I walk around Hazelight, is that I'm surrounded by such incredibly creative and wonderful people. I don't believe in God; it's just pure luck. I'm very grateful," he says.
Also nominated for the export award were actor and film director Josephine Bornebusch, Green Furniture Concept and designer Gustaf Westman.
The award for this year's upstart goes to the fashion brand Hodakova, founded by Ellen Hodakova Larsson.
The Export Prize is awarded to recognize efforts in Swedish exports and the “promotion of Sweden as an innovative and creative country.” This year, in addition to the honor, it consists of a diploma and a vase designed by glass artist Hanna Hansdotter.
Facts: Previous recipients of the government's export award for the cultural and creative industries
2025 Hazelight Studios
2023 Swedish Tenn
2021 White architects
2020 Lars Wingefors, Embracer
2019 Goodbye Kansas Studios
2018 Norstedts Agency (For the Millennium books)
2017 Acne Studios
