This year’s edition of New Nordic Films, the industry strand of the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, ran from 25-28 August. The programme once again welcomed more than 200 accredited professionals and showcased 21 projects in development from ten countries, with a special spotlight placed on France (see the news).

The top prize, the Storyline Production Award (worth €25,000), went to Anathema, selected as the most promising project with international appeal in the Nordic Co-Production Market. Written and directed by Ea Johanne Sandberg and Alpha Nord, the project is a supernatural drama about a woman whose world unravels when a dead man returns to a community determined to preserve its façade of happiness. According to the jury, Anathema “dares to explore what it means to belong to a community – to follow its rules, protect its beliefs and ultimately question how far those beliefs can take us. We were struck by the story of a town so determined to preserve its idea of a happy community that it is willing to cross the boundaries between the living and the dead, and to do the unthinkable in the name of keeping everything as it should be. It is a bold, unsettling and deeply intriguing story, brought to us by a team with a clear vision and a strong sense of the world they want to create.”

The Norwegian horror-comedy Grandmonster, directed by Vegard Dahle, won the Best Pitch Award. The film follows a US dropout who triggers a zombie outbreak at a Norwegian nursing home; it previously triumphed at the Frontières Co-Production Market (see the news). The project was selected by a four-member jury comprising Annick Mahnert (Fantastic Fest, Frontières Co-Production Market), Soňa Morgenthalová (MIDPOINT Institute), Iris Cadoux (Eurimages) and Kalle Løchen.

The Best Pitch Award, which recognises the quality of both the presentation and the project itself, guarantees the winning team participation in the Producers Network at the Marché du Film in Cannes. In their statement, the jury explained: “The Best Pitch Award goes to a project that takes on the universal subject of ageing – and adds a generous dose of cheeky humour, horror and, apparently, zombies with dentures. Both the director and producer were completely at ease during their presentation. They made us laugh, they moved us, and most importantly, they convinced us that silliness and horror can travel remarkably well across borders. We left the pitch confident that this team has the energy, the humour and the creative spark to bring that same spirit to the film.”

The MIDPOINT Talent Award, which offers in-depth digital script development guidance from one of the MIDPOINT Institute’s experienced mentors, went to the Finnish project Elektra, directed by Elisa Kujala. The film follows a young game developer who begins losing her grip on reality as the pressure surrounding her project intensifies. The jury stated that the award “goes to a project that stood out for its bold and timely take on ambition, power and inequality. We were especially drawn to the way it reflects its protagonist’s inner struggle and gradually blurs the line between her reality and the world she is creating. It boasts a strong female character at its centre, a clear directorial vision and an original use of the gaming environment.”

Finally, the Next Nordic Generation Award, valued at NOK 20,000 (approximately €1,840) and provided by Totalpost Finland, was awarded to the production team behind the best graduation film from the Nordic film schools. The award jury, comprising filmmaker Marlene Emilie Lyngstad, award-winning director Irasj Asanti, and screenwriter, director and producer Johan Kaos, bestowed the prize upon Groupies, directed by Clara Vida, of the Norwegian Film School of the University of Inland. Sister of Mine by André Vaara, of the Stockholm University of the Arts, received an Honourable Mention. The jury stated: “This year’s winning film gives us an original and fascinating glimpse into a world that most of us rarely get to see. The filmmakers literally take us behind the scenes. Together with the film’s protagonist, we watch as the mythical and glamorous image we have of famous artists, groupies and life backstage is gradually stripped away, layer by layer. What really stood out to us, however, was the filmmaker’s clear and confident vision. There is a strong sense that every choice has been made for a reason.”

Here is the list of winners at New Nordic Films 2026:

Storyline Production Award
Anathema – Ea Johanne Sandberg, Alpha Nord (Denmark/Norway/Germany)
Producers: Anne Borggaard Sørensen, Janne Hjeltnes (Empathitude Pictures)

Best Pitch Award
Grandmonster – Vegard Dahle (Norway)
Producer: Jon Vatne (Syden Pictures)

MIDPOINT Talent Award
Elektra – Elisa Kujala (Finland)
Producer: Nora Kuusisto (Dionysos Films)

Next Nordic Generation Award
Groupies - Clara Vida (Norway)
Producer: Ida Skarsæterhagen

Honourable Mention
Sister of Mine - André Vaara (Sweden)
Producer: Beatrice Fröjd