Leonard Rääf

Biography

Leonard Rääf is a Swedish writer/director known for his intimate and visually poetic storytelling, often exploring themes of coming-of-age, nostalgia, and complex family dynamics. His award-winning short Renard Rouge (2017) received “Best Nordic Short” at the Nordic International Film Festival in New York, marking him as a rising voice in Scandinavian cinema. Since 2018, Leonard has been based in Copenhagen, where he co-founded Holocene Studios following the production of his third short film, Clay (2019), shot in Iceland. The film was selected by over 25 festivals and earned six awards worldwide. He has written and directed five short films, including Hiding Behind Masks (2023) and his latest, Closed Oysters Can’t Speak, set for release late 2025.