The Nordic film industry is gathering in Haugesund, Norway, for the 32nd edition of New Nordic Films, the esteemed marketplace scheduled for 25–28 August alongside the Norwegian International Film Festival. The programme has revealed an strong lineup of 36 Nordic projects competing for attention from approximately 300 business participants, with 21 titles selected for the Nordic Co-Production Market (NCPM) from a unprecedented 120-plus submissions. The programme highlights an exceptional roster of Nordic talent, featuring celebrated filmmakers such as Harald Zwart, Miia Tervo, Hilmar Oddsson and Charlotte Sieling, together with new directors making their debuts. Notably, the selection boasts nine Norwegian projects, five of which are directorial debuts, emphasising the region’s ongoing creative strength as a production centre for European cinema.
Record-Breaking Submissions Signal Flourishing Nordic Creative Landscape
The Nordic Co-Production Market has achieved record-breaking amounts of interest, with submissions reaching all-time highs that echo the exceptional activity recorded in 2025. Gyda Velvin Myklebust, head of sector relations at New Nordic Films, underscored the remarkable quality of the submitted projects, especially from Norway, which delivered nine selected titles from 30 submissions. This rise in project submissions indicates rising confidence amongst Nordic producers and filmmakers in the market’s ability to enable meaningful international collaborations and secure essential financing for ambitious projects.
The range of the selection showcases the region’s creative range and market potential. Alongside established directors launching new ventures, the market highlights an notable group of first-time directors, signalling a strong flow of rising creators within the Nordic cinema landscape. This balance between veteran storytellers and new perspectives establishes the 32nd edition as a key platform for discovering the next generation of European cinema whilst consolidating collaborations that have shown effective at producing acclaimed films to worldwide viewers.
- 21 titles chosen for Nordic Co-Production Market from over 120 submissions
- Nine Norwegian projects picked, comprising five directorial debuts
- Record application volumes align with 2025’s exceptional activity
- Robust producer support from established Nordic production companies
Animated Horror with Female Leadership Films Lead Selection
A Viking Animation Epic and Sámi Narrative Milestone
The Nordic market’s animation offerings demonstrate a considerable development of the region’s creative vision, with ambitious projects showcasing both historical spectacle and indigenous narratives. These animated features display the production expertise and storytelling capabilities that Nordic studios have cultivated in recent times, cementing animation as a cornerstone of the region’s modern cinema. The selection underscores increased funding in sophisticated animated projects that attract both European and international audiences, with producers leveraging the region’s mastery of animation technology and character-focused storytelling to develop unique visual experiences.
Sámi storytelling, specifically, embodies a crucial cultural milestone for Nordic cinema, bringing long-overlooked communities to the forefront of the industry’s most prestigious platform. These projects reflect a intentional pivot towards greater diversity and authenticity in filmmaking within the region, embodying wider continental efforts to cultural pluralism and genuine voices. The prevalence of such stories at New Nordic Films showcases how the sector deliberately promotes marginalised groups whilst sustaining the market appeal necessary for long-term global reach and societal influence.
Striking Horror Debuts from Established Documentary Filmmakers
Two accomplished female directors are shifting from documentary to horror fiction, bringing their documentary credentials and creative perspectives to genre storytelling. Nataša Urban, an Oslo-based filmmaker and award-winning documentarian with selections at CPH:DOX, IDFA and MoMA, makes her narrative debut with the supernatural horror “Vagina Dentata,” produced by Ingvil Giske of Medieoperatørene, whose body of work includes Sundance-winning documentaries. This collaboration exemplifies how seasoned documentary filmmakers are utilising their technical expertise and creative depth to expand into genre territories, enriching horror cinema with authenticity rooted in documentary practice and narrative depth.
Ina Grevstad’s “The Virtuous,” set in 1349 Western Norway, represents a further woman-directed horror entry with significant financial support from Mer Film, a studio responsible for critically acclaimed Nordic features. These productions signal the industry’s faith in women directors working within genre conventions whilst preserving creative vision and cultural significance. The selection of several woman-helmed horror films underscores a wider sector dedication to championing female perspectives across all genres, challenging established power structures within horror cinema whilst expanding the thematic and stylistic possibilities of modern Scandinavian filmmaking.
Experienced Directors Return with Wide-Ranging Genre Choices
The 32nd Nordic Co-Production Market presents a distinguished group of experienced directors returning to feature production with powerful storylines across diverse genres. Jorunn Myklebust Syversen, known for her TV achievements including “Disco” and “The Tree Feller,” directs the character-driven drama “Patience” for Norway’s esteemed Paradox outfit, demonstrating the market’s dedication to backing proven filmmakers across both small-screen and feature platforms. Pål Jackman, a director from Haugesund acclaimed for creating award-winning television such as “A Sámi Wedding” and “State of Happiness,” marks his return to theatrical film production with the domestic drama “Domesticated Animal,” signalling the mutual creative influence between small-screen and big-screen within Nordic production ecosystems.
Beyond Norway’s selections, the market presents an impressive range of Nordic talent from across the region. Iceland’s Hilmar Oddsson brings his directorial acumen to “At the End of the Road,” a moving drama investigating Alzheimer’s disease and familial relationships. Finland’s AJ Annila contributes the period drama “The Touch of Light,” whilst Sweden’s Martina Haag delivers the lighthearted comedy “True Love,” highlighting the market’s range of genres. These selections highlight the Nordic region’s ability to create original storytellers equipped to exploring universal themes whilst preserving culturally specific perspectives, resonating with both domestic and international audiences in search of genuine character-focused narratives.
| Director | Project Title |
|---|---|
| Jorunn Myklebust Syversen | Patience |
| Pål Jackman | Domesticated Animal |
| Hilmar Oddsson | At the End of the Road |
| AJ Annila | The Touch of Light |
| Martina Haag | True Love |
| Harald Zwart | Miia Tervo |
- Norwegian submissions reached historic highs with nine titles selected from thirty entries
- Nordic Co-Production Market selected twenty-one titles from more than one hundred twenty submissions
- Established directors demonstrate dedication to varied narratives across various genres and subject matter
International Participation and Industry Partnerships Shape Market Dynamics
The 32nd edition of Nordic Films is anticipated to draw approximately 300 sector experts from throughout Europe and internationally, cementing Haugesund’s standing as a vital hub for Nordic cinema trade and creative partnership. This major congregation of producers, distributors, financiers and sales agents provides an exceptional networking platform where projects gain crucial momentum and international partnerships thrive. The market’s track record of enabling substantive relationships has positioned it as an essential calendar fixture for those seeking to invest in, acquire or collaborate on Nordic projects, ensuring that the thoughtfully chosen range of 36 productions gains comprehensive industry scrutiny and support.
The intersection of established Nordic producers and emerging creative voices at New Nordic Films demonstrates the region’s collaborative approach to filmmaking and international co-production. Seasoned production banners such as Paradox, Mer Film and Medieoperatørene contribute substantial expertise and distribution networks to the sector, whilst debut filmmakers offer new viewpoints and innovative storytelling approaches. This dynamic interplay between experience and innovation, combined with the presence of global purchasing representatives and distribution partners, establishes a framework where Nordic cinema can expand its global reach whilst maintaining its unique cultural character and creative authenticity across varied storytelling forms and thematic content.
- Approximately around 300 sector experts participating from throughout European and international markets
- Nordic Co-Production Market initiative facilitates essential relationships between producers and funding partners
- Prominent producers show dedication to developing emerging directorial prospects
- International sales agents and sales representatives pursue distinctive Nordic productions for worldwide audiences
- Market participation reflects growing international demand for genuine Nordic narratives and productions
Ongoing Projects and Closed Market Screenings Round Out the Programme
Beyond the Nordic Co-Production Market’s 21 titles in production, New Nordic Films’ broad portfolio encompasses an additional 15 projects at multiple development levels, providing industry attendees a panoramic view of the region’s current creative output. These projects under development deliver significant prospects for producers to acquire post-production investment, obtain global distribution partnerships and create early buzz ahead of festival premieres. The variety of productions at differing production stages ensures that attendees can spot potential investments matching their particular interests and commercial objectives, whether looking for finished films for direct purchase or taking part in concept-phase initiatives with long-term potential.
Closed market screenings represent a cornerstone of the Haugesund experience, allowing distributors, sales agents and financiers to appraise finished films in a specialist industry setting removed from public scrutiny. These intimate screenings support frank discussions about market potential, territorial rights and acquisition strategies, facilitating swift decision-making by industry professionals. The blend of project-in-development showcases and finished film presentations creates a comprehensive marketplace ecosystem where Nordic producers can concurrently develop emerging projects whilst leveraging finished productions, enhancing the market’s value as a launchpad for international distribution and transnational cooperation.