As the curtain fell on the 54th Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund (22-27 August), audiences, filmmakers and industry guests alike celebrated a diverse line-up of winners that once again underscored the festival’s commitment to Norwegian and international cinema.

The Audience Award went to Pressure by Anthony Maras, which chronicles the 72-hour countdown to the D-Day landings. The winner of the prize was decided on by a jury consisting of Rune Sirnes, Molly S Støle, Jon Oma Dahle, Lene Høynes and Tina Børtung. The jury praised the film for its strong lead performance and its striking use of sound, lighting and images, while highlighting its ability to sustain tension despite the audience knowing the outcome of the story. The feature’s depiction of a man facing an extraordinarily difficult situation, and his determination to stand by his convictions despite pressure from those around him, also resonated strongly with the jury.

The Ray of Sunshine Award, given out by the Norwegian Cinema Managers Association to the film that “excites and spreads the most joy”, was awarded to the US neo-western The Rivals of Amziah King by Andrew Patterson. The jury, consisting of Ida Kathrine Balto (jury chair), Stig Magne Pedersen, Morten Ørmen and Martin Øsmundset, highlighted the film’s combination of humour, warmth and emotional intensity. Describing it as a poetic and beautiful movie that can also become “a wild ride”, the jury praised its ability to shock, move and inspire audiences, as well as its acting, cinematography and music. Particular recognition went to the editing.

The Norwegian Critics’ Award was presented to Butterfly, directed by Itonje Søimer Guttormsen. The jury, made up of Geir Kamsvåg (Cinema), Maka Dolidze (Filmmagasinet) and Britt Sørensen (Bergens Tidende), described the film as both “immensely entertaining and deeply moving”. The critics singled out Guttormsen as one of Norway’s most distinctive and original filmmakers, praising the movie’s striking visual flair, its exploration of place and landscape, and its complex treatment of human relationships. The performances were also highlighted for allowing the actors to reveal the full breadth of their range.

Haugesund also hosted the unveiling of the nominees for the 2026 Nordic Council Film Prize, one of the region’s most prestigious cultural distinctions. Six films are in contention this year, representing Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The selection includes several internationally recognised titles, among them an Oscar winner, while Greenland did not submit a film for the 2026 edition.

Denmark is represented by Beginnings, directed by Jeanette Nordahl, and written by Rasmus Birch and Jeanette Nordahl, with Eva Jakobsen, Katrin Pors and Mikkel Jersin as producers. The Faroe Islands are represented by Birita, directed and written by Búi Dam, and produced by Jón Hammer, Durita Sumberg and Mark Steele. Finland’s nominee is A Light That Never Goes Out, directed and written by Lauri-Matti Parppei, and produced by Ilona Tolmunen.

Iceland is represented by The Love That Remains, directed and written by Hlynur Pálmason, and produced by Anton Máni Svansson and Katrin Pors, while Norway’s nominee is Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, who co-wrote the film with Eskil Vogt, with Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar producing. Sweden rounds off the batch of nominees with Kevlar Soul, directed by Maria Eriksson-Hecht, written by Pelle Rådström, and produced by Ronny Fritsche and Lizette Jonjic.

The nominated titles will now screen across the Nordic region. Screenings started in Haugesund (25-27 August), and will continue in Nuuk (16-19 September), Helsinki (17-27 September), Aarhus (1-8 October), Tórshavn (7-9 October), Stockholm (8-10 October) and Reykjavík (13-18 October). The winner of the DKK 300,000 (approximately €40,130) prize, shared equally among the screenwriter(s), director(s) and producer(s), will be announced on 20 October. The Nordic Council will present the “Nordlys” statuette to the winners during its award ceremony in the last week of October.

Here is the full list of award winners at the 54th Norwegian International Film Festival:

Audience Award
Pressure – Anthony Maras (UK/France)

Ray of Sunshine Award
The Rivals of Amziah King – Andrew Patterson (USA)

Norwegian Critics’ Award
Butterfly – Itonje Søimer Guttormsen (Norway/Sweden/UK/Germany)

Nominees for the 2026 Nordic Council Film Prize
Beginnings – Jeanette Nordahl (Denmark/Sweden/Belgium)
Birita – Búi Dam (Faroe Islands)
A Light That Never Goes Out – Lauri-Matti Parppei (Finland/Norway)
The Love That Remains – Hlynur Pálmason (Iceland/Denmark/Sweden/France)
Sentimental Value – Joachim Trier (Norway/France/Denmark/Germany)
Kevlar Soul – Maria Eriksson-Hecht (Sweden/Finland)