The inaugural The Freyas – Nordic Film & TV Awards took place on Tuesday 22 September at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, with Nightborn, directed by Hanna Bergholm, and The Danish Woman, helmed by Benedikt Erlingsson, taking home the main production honours. The ceremony, hosted by Pekka Strang, celebrated Nordic screen talent and productions, while also recognising figures whose work has helped connect the region with the international audiovisual industry.

Acting honours were spread across film and television. Trine Dyrholm and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson received the Outstanding Nordic Actor in a Series Award for their respective performances in The Danish Woman and Reykjavik Fusion. Meanwhile, Fares Fares was recognised as Outstanding Nordic Actor in a Film for his work in Adult Supervision. Finnish thesp Laura Birn received the Outstanding Nordic Actor & Local Hero Award.

The prizes also highlighted emerging Nordic talent. Ebba Katrin Finnsdottir received The Valkyrie Award, while Thea Sofie Loch Naess was presented with The Icebreaker Award, which recognises young Nordic talent making breakthroughs in international productions. Beyond the acting categories, the documentary The Secret Reading Club of Kabul by Shakiba Adil and Elina Hirvonen received the Nordic Impact Award.

The honorary prizes went to Swedish actress Lena Olin, who received the Honorary Goddess Award in recognition of her career in Nordic audiovisual production, and director Lasse Hallström, who was presented with the Honorary Falcon Award for his contribution to connecting the Nordic and international film industries.

The first edition of The Freyas marked the launch of a new pan-Nordic film and television awards concept, with Copenhagen set to host the event in 2027. The organisers intend for the ceremony to rotate annually between Nordic and Baltic countries, with the aim of creating an international meeting point for the region’s audiovisual industries.

Here is the complete list of winners at the inaugural The Freyas – Nordic Film & TV Awards:

Outstanding Nordic Film
Nightborn – Hanna Bergholm (Finland/Lithuania/France/UK)

Outstanding Nordic Series
The Danish Woman – Benedikt Erlingsson (France/Iceland)

Outstanding Nordic Actor in a Film
Fares Fares – Adult Supervision (Sweden)

Outstanding Nordic Actor in a Series
Trine Dyrholm – The Danish Woman

Outstanding Nordic Actor in a Series
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson – Reykjavik Fusion (Iceland/France)

Outstanding Nordic Actor & Local Hero
Laura Birn

The Valkyrie Award
Ebba Katrin Finnsdottir

The Icebreaker Award
Thea Sofie Loch Naess

Nordic Impact Award
The Secret Reading Club of Kabul - Shakiba Adil, Elina Hirvonen (Finland/Norway)

Honorary Goddess Award
Lena Olin

Honorary Falcon Award
Lasse Hallström