Sweden to require film companies applying for funding to undergo sexual conduct training

The move comes after nearly 600 actresses, including Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, added their names to an open letter

The Swedish Film Institute is looking to change policy in an effort to combat sexual harassment and assault in the industry.

It's set to become the first public funding body to require production companies to undergo sexual conduct education in order to qualify for film subsidies, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The move comes after nearly 600 local actresses, including Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, added their names to an open letter calling out widespread sexual harassment and abuse in the Swedish industry.

Production companies would be required to attend free educational seminars, likely one or two per year, that would cover relevant issues, including sexual harassment, gender equality, and diversity.

SFI's plans were unveiled by its head Anna Serner, though they will still need to be ratified by the SFI board. She wrote on her blog that real change can only be achieved "if there are consequences", and called for zero tolerance of sexual harassment.

This isn't the first time the Swedish film industry has been a pioneer in its approach to gender issues. It was the first country, in 2012, to set down a target of true gender equality by calling for half of public funding to be issued to films directed women.

That goal, even, has already been reached (in 2015). It was only last year that the British Film Institute launched a similar initiative for the UK, with the organisation reportedly also looking to draw up a new set of guidelines to address harassment, bullying, and abuse in the industry.

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