The 2025 edition of the Nuuk International Film Festival (NIFF) has wrapped in the Greenlandic capital, unveiling its list of award winners. The gathering ran from 17-20 September.

The jury – consisting of Birgir Thor Møller (curator at Copenhagen’s North Atlantic House), Greenlandic filmmaker Ilasiaq Henrich and Nina Møller (representing the Government of Greenland) – awarded Best Short Film to The Thief by Christoffer Rizvanovic Stenbakken. The jury praised the work as “a touching, visual and fascinating film” that blends “fine acting with poetic images and a gentle score”. Inspired by true events and made in collaboration with the young people of Tasiilaq, the story follows a boy searching for his stolen dog, raising moral questions while exploring friendship and human relationships.

The Best Feature Film Award went to Wrong Husband, helmed by acclaimed Inuk filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk (Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner). The jury described it as “an exceptional example of an authentic film, transforming Inuit traditions of oral storytelling into breathtaking images combined with a subtle yet captivating score”.

In the documentary strand, the Award for Best Feature Documentary was handed to Qajaq Man by Joe Derrick, a portrait of an eccentric expedition that evolves into “a cinematic journey, blending authentic and shaky cell-phone footage with magnificent drone shots”. The film also explores Inuit traditions, diet and sense of community in today’s polarised world.

Finally, this year’s NIFF Honorary Award was presented to Liisa Holmberg, a producer and the head of the International Sámi Film Institute and the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund. The festival highlighted her decades-long work empowering Arctic indigenous filmmakers through initiatives such as the Arctic Film Circle, Arctic Chills and Witness: Arctic Indigenous Voices, as well as her role in fostering global networks for indigenous storytelling. Holmberg joins past honourees Alanis Obomsawin and Zacharias Kunuk.

Here is the list of this year’s award winners:

Best Short Film
The Thief - Christoffer Rizvanovic Stenbakken (Denmark/Greenland)

Best Feature Film
Wrong Husband - Zacharias Kunuk (Canada)

Best Documentary Feature
Qajaq Man – Joe Derrick (Denmark/Greenland)         

NIFF Honorary Award
Liisa Holmberg