This year’s edition of New Nordic Films, the industry segment of the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, ran from 20-23 August, welcoming more than 200 accredited industry participants. During the 19th Nordic Co-Production Market, the Best Project Award was bestowed upon Halima, the debut feature by Dublin-based Finnish-Somali writer-director Naima Mohamud. Known for her award-winning short films and TV work, Mohamud often weaves themes of resilience and hope into her stories.

Halima is a heartwarming family film set in the 1990s, following a sharp-witted ten-year-old Somali girl named Halima as she moves to a small town in Finland. The film charmingly explores her journey as she navigates cultural differences while finding her place and making friends in a new school, blending humour and heartfelt moments.

The panel of judges for the Nordic Co-Production Market, which included Berlinale programmer Bartholomew Sammut, sales manager Magdalena Banasik from m-appeal and Finnish producer Petri Kemppinen, of Totalpost Finland, evaluated the 22 selected projects (see the news) and ultimately chose Halima as the winner. This recognition not only earns the project a coveted spot at the Producers Network at next year’s Cannes Marché du Film, but also comes with €3,500 in in-kind support from Totalpost Finland.

In their assessment, the jury remarked: “For a film that exudes an immense amount of warmth and empathy, which we saw reflected in the touching and entertaining pitch, a film that delves into a story we have not yet seen come from Finland, the jury has decided to give the Best Pitch Award to Naima Mohamud and Anita Hyppönen with Halima.”

Halima, written and directed by Mohamud, is a Finnish-Norwegian co-production. The movie is being produced by first-time producer Anita Hyppönen through Helsinki-based company It’s Alive Films, along with Jani Pösö, in collaboration with Hannu Aukia from No-Office Films and in co-production with Gary Cranner from Norway’s Mantra Film. The project has received backing from the Finnish Film Foundation (SES) and Finnish public broadcaster YLE. With a budget of €1.372 million, shooting is scheduled to begin next summer, while the team continues to secure additional financing, broadcasters and distribution partners.