It was instituted by legendary Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, as a complement to the Guldbagge Awards.

He knew how important each specialty is to the finished result, and that a film is never better than the weakest link in that complex teamwork.

The Award soon covered the entire filmmaking process, as the prize has gone to everything from script students at the Swedish Institute of Dramatic Art, to the legendary projectionist, Henry Nyberg, in 1986.

Only five performers won the award; among them are Lena Olin, Gunnar Björnstrand and Mikael Persbrandt.

[2] The award consisted of a sum of money (SEK 60,000 at the end) and a bronze plaque with the Bergmans face in relief, made by the Finnish sculptor Eila Hiltunen.