They are joined by ‘Birita,’ ‘Kevlar Soul,’ ‘Beginnings’ and ‘A Light That Never Goes Out’

Five features and one documentary have been nominated for the 2026 Nordic Council Film Prize. It’s awarded to a feature film or documentary produced in the Nordic countries that has been distributed in cinemas.

Some picks – announced at the Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund – come as no surprise, as Joachim Trier’s Oscar-winning “Sentimental Value” and Hlynur Pálmason’s “The Love That Remains” have already enjoyed significant festival success. 

However, the jury consisting of Jacob Ludvigsen, Jan Berg Jørgensen, Marjo Pipinen, Jóna Finnsdóttir, Anne Gjelsvik and Jonas Holmberg also recognized Jeanette Nordahl’s “Beginnings,” Búi Dam’s “Birita,” “A Light That Never Goes Out” by Lauri-Matti Parppei and “Kevlar Soul” directed by Maria Eriksson-Hecht.

“Kevlar Soul” focuses on two brothers who grow up terrorized by their alcoholic father.

“We are deeply honored by this nomination,” said Eriksson-Hecht.

“Being selected as Sweden’s entry for the Nordic Council Film Prize means a great deal to everyone involved, both in front of and behind the camera. We hope this recognition will help more people discover and see the film, bringing new attention to its themes.” 

“Beginnings,” starring Trine Dyrholm and David Dencik, follows a couple that’s about to divorce – until Ane suffers a stroke.

“We wanted to explore the absolute loss of control, seen from all perspectives within a family. What happens when illness strikes, and how do we relate to each other when everything has changed?,” noted Nordahl, deciding to tell the story “without sentimentality or judgement, focusing on simple, everyday situations that might feel familiar.” 

“So many families find themselves in this type of conflict, and our intention was to give them a film in which they could feel seen and validated. I think, and hope, this is why audiences have responded so strongly to it.”

In “Birita,” the only doc in the selection, Búi Dam decided to go personal.

“Making this film about my mother, an actress, and my relationship with her has been a journey of joy, love, and discovery. And, clichéd as it may sound, that has of course been the reward in itself,” he said. But the nomination is important for another reason as well. 

“The Faroe Islands, a semi-autonomous part of the Danish realm, have long stood on the periphery of the Nordic community. Now, as we move towards independence – something that our Icelandic sister Björk encouraged us and Greenland to do in 2008 [in her song ‘Declare Independence’] – it feels important that we carve out a clear place for our own voice, our language, and our culture within the Nordic community.”

He added: “In that sense, this film is rebellious – just like my mother.”

Or like the protagonists of the music-heavy drama “A Light That Never Goes Out” by Lauri-Matti Parppei, who decide to start an experimental band, aka a “paramilitary noise art collective.”  The film, which premiered at Cannes ACID, was a big winner at the Jussi Awards in its native Finland. 

“My background is in the Finnish underground and DIY music scene. I never expected that a film based on those experiences would suddenly touch people around the world. And travel across borders and continents,” Parppei told Variety. 

“As a Finn, I’ve always admired Nordic filmmakers and their long history of acclaimed cinema, even feeling a bit inferior. Even my favorite film of all time is from Sweden: ‘Fucking Åmål’ by Lukas Moodysson [also known as ‘Show Me Love’]. That’s why it means so much to me to be nominated alongside the works of my colleagues – and it feels like I might actually be a real Nordic filmmaker myself!”

Greenland did not submit a film for the 2026 Nordic Council Film Prize. 

The prize comes with 300,000 Danish kroner, which will be shared equally among the screenwriters, directors and producers to emphasize “how film as an art form is brought about by the close collaboration of these three main contributors,” it was stated. 

Nominated producers: Eva Jakobsen, Katrin Pors, Mikkel Jersin

Nominated producer: Jón Hammer, Durita Sumberg, Mark Steele

Nominated producers: Ronny Fritsche, Lizette Jonjic

Nominated producers: Anton Máni Svansson, Katrin Pors

Nominated producers: Maria Ekerhovd, Andrea Berentsen Ottmar