The Nordic Co-Production Market (NCPM), one of New Nordic Films’ premier showcases, will platform 21 titles currently in development, selected from more than 120 submissions-a record level matching 2025’s figures. Gyda Velvin Myklebust, head of industry, emphasized the exceptional quality of the Norwegian lineup, which features nine final picks from 30 submissions, including five debuts from first-time feature directors.

The Norwegian contingent demonstrates particular strength this year, with veteran industry professionals noting the impressive depth of talent emerging from the country. The selection process reflects a careful curation that balances established voices with fresh perspectives, creating opportunities for both seasoned filmmakers and newcomers to connect with international partners and financing opportunities.

Female Directors Turn to Horror With Prestigious Backing

Among the most anticipated projects available for sales are two horror films from female directors who bring impressive credentials and the support of pedigreed producers. The supernatural horror “Vagina Dentata” marks the fiction debut of Oslo-based Nataša Urban, a CPH:DOX winner whose 2022 documentary “The Eclipse” earned selections at IDFA and MoMa. Urban has partnered with seasoned documentary producer Ingvil Giske of Medieoperatørene, the production company behind Sundance winners “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” and “The Painter and the Thief.”

The collaboration between Urban and Giske represents a significant crossover between documentary expertise and narrative fiction, bringing documentary sensibilities to genre filmmaking. The project’s provocative title and supernatural elements suggest a bold creative vision that challenges conventional horror tropes while maintaining commercial appeal for international markets.

Another female-driven horror project, “The Virtuous” by Ina Grevstad, takes its story to 1349 Western Norway and centers on female empowerment themes. Mer Film produces the project, drawing on their track record with “Sentimental Value” and “The Ugly Stepsister.” The historical setting combined with genre elements positions the film as both a period piece and a contemporary commentary on gender dynamics.

Established Nordic Directors Return With Social Dramas

Norwegian director Jorunn Myklebust Syversen, known for “Disco” and “The Tree Feller,” will helm the social drama “Patience” for top Norwegian banner Paradox. Her return to feature filmmaking brings an established voice to character-driven storytelling, continuing her exploration of human relationships and social dynamics that has defined her previous work.

Haugesund-born director Pål Jackman, recognized for “Detektor” and “The Storm in My Heart,” makes his comeback to feature films after directing a string of successful series including “A Sámi Wedding” and “State of Happiness.” His family drama “Domesticated Animal” marks a return to cinematic storytelling following his acclaimed work in prestige television, bringing the narrative depth developed in long-form series back to the feature format.

The lineup also includes several established names from across the Nordic region who will pitch their projects to the 300 industry attendees expected at the event. Iceland‘s Hilmar Oddsson, director of “Driving Mum,” will present the Alzheimer’s drama “At the End of the Road”, while Finland‘s AJ Annila, known for “The Eternal Road,” brings the period drama “The Touch of Light”. Sweden‘s Martina Haag rounds out the international selection with the feel-good comedy “True Love”.

French Focus Expands International Co-Production Opportunities

In a significant international expansion, four French projects seeking co-financing and distribution primarily from Nordic partners will be showcased at the Nordic Co-Production Market as part of the French Focus initiative. The projects-“All the Softness in the World,” “Boutès,” “Boderline,” and “Temporary Lives”-represent a strategic bridge between French and Nordic film industries, creating new pathways for cross-border collaboration and funding.

This French component adds a new dimension to the traditionally Nordic-focused market, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of European film financing and distribution. The initiative demonstrates New Nordic Films’ commitment to fostering international partnerships while maintaining its core focus on Scandinavian cinema.

Works in Progress Selection Highlights Post-Production Quality

The 15-title Works in Progress lineup, selected from 43 submissions, presents a similar blend of genres and showcases both seasoned and rising talent from across the Nordic region. Industry insiders noted that this year’s selection process proved easier due to the high quality of projects in post-production, though some suggested this may reflect broader challenges in reaching production completion in the current financing environment.

The Works in Progress section serves as a crucial platform for films nearing completion to attract sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers. These screenings often provide the first industry glimpse of projects that will go on to premiere at major international festivals, making them a vital barometer of upcoming Nordic cinema trends.

The 32nd edition of New Nordic Films continues the event’s tradition of spotlighting the most promising Nordic film projects while expanding its international reach through initiatives like the French Focus. The combination of development projects and near-complete works provides a comprehensive overview of the Nordic film landscape, from early-stage pitching through final post-production, creating multiple entry points for industry professionals seeking Nordic content and co-production partners.

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The opening film marks a significant collaboration between two major Norwegian creative forces, as Beloved draws from the only original screenplay written by Nobel Prize-winning author Jon Fosse. The world premiere takes place on August 23 in the picturesque coastal town setting that mirrors the film’s dramatic backdrop. Poppe previously earned recognition for acclaimed works including The King’s Choice, A Thousand Times Goodnight, and The Emigrants, establishing him as a festival regular.

Central Characters Navigate Love and Longing

Leo Magnus de la Nuez, known for Beforeigners, and Kristi-Helene Giæver Engeberg from War Sailor star as Asle and Gerd in the drama. The couple lives what appears to be an idyllic existence with their son in a small Norwegian coastal community, but their perfect relationship faces testing circumstances when Asle, a sailor by profession, finds himself inexorably drawn back to the sea. The narrative explores themes of devotion tested by irresistible callings and the tension between domestic stability and professional identity.

Festival director Tonje Hardersen expressed enthusiasm about the selection, noting that Beloved represents the ideal opening choice for multiple reasons. Poppe previously opened the festival two years ago with Quisling – The Final Days, cementing his status as a Haugesund regular, while Jon Fosse was actually born in Haugesund itself. The festival celebrates bringing these talents together for what Hardersen describes as a powerful film set against the dazzlingly beautiful Western Norwegian landscape.

Director Champions Stories of Closeness Amid Cynicism

“Beloved is a love story full of the unspoken, tenderness, and mystery, unmistakably Jon Fosse,” said Poppe before adding, “We live in a time where much of what we see on film and series depicts cynicism and human distance. Perhaps the most radical thing we can do now is to tell stories about closeness and hope.”

The production brings together Poppe’s regular partner Finn Gjerdrum of SF Studios’ banner Paradox as producer. This established collaboration has yielded multiple successful projects, and the partnership continues with Beloved to translate Fosse’s distinctive literary voice into cinematic form. The film represents a rare opportunity to experience Fosse’s only original screenplay, adding significance beyond its artistic merits to include cultural heritage value for Norwegian cinema.

Festival Closing Tackles Historical Tragedy

The festival selected another highly anticipated Norwegian production, The Murder of Benjamin, for its closing gala slot. The drama, represented internationally by TrustNordisk, confronts the real-life murder of Benjamin Hermansen, a 15-year-old boy of mixed Norwegian and Malian heritage who was brutally murdered by a neo-Nazi in 2001. Director Ingvild Søderlind, credited for Netflix’s Royalteen: Princess Margrethe and Battle: Freestyle, helms the production.

Seasoned producer Thomas Robsahm, whose credits include The Worst Person in the World and Lovable, produces for Nordisk Film Production Norway. The choice of this closing film demonstrates the festival’s commitment to addressing difficult historical moments and social issues through cinema. The racially-motivated murder occurred 25 years ago, yet continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about tolerance, extremism, and national identity in Norway.

Nordic Nation Captures International Attention

The festival takes place as Norway enjoys elevated international visibility following the World Cup, where the nation made a splash with its wealth of soccer talent led by stars Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. This sporting success creates a favorable backdrop for showcasing Norway’s film achievements to a global audience already paying attention to the Nordic nation. The timing allows the festival to capitalize on increased international interest in Norwegian culture beyond athletics.

The Norwegian International Film Festival serves as a crucial platform for domestic cinema while attracting international productions and industry professionals to the coastal setting. With 104 total films across features and shorts, the festival offers audiences and industry delegates substantial exposure to both Norwegian works and international cinema. The program balance, which dedicates more than one-third of its feature slots to Norwegian productions, reflects the festival’s dual mission of promoting national cinema while maintaining international scope.

Festival Champions Regional Identity Through Cinema

The selection of Beloved as the opening film carries particular symbolic weight given Jon Fosse’s birthplace connection to Haugesund and the story’s setting in Western Norway’s coastal landscape. This geographic and cultural specificity reinforces the festival’s role in celebrating regional Norwegian identity alongside national cinema achievements. The picturesque coastal town provides both backdrop and character in the narrative, offering international audiences visual immersion in Norwegian coastal life.

The festival runs for seven days beginning August 22, providing ample opportunity for screenings, industry events, and cultural programming. As Norway continues building its reputation as a significant force in Nordic cinema alongside established film nations like Denmark and Sweden, the Haugesund festival serves as a crucial showcase for emerging and established talent. The combination of opening with a Nobel laureate’s screenplay and closing with a historically significant drama signals the festival’s ambition to balance artistic prestige with social relevance in its programming choices.

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