The two films were pitched as works in progress at the Nordic market New Nordic Films that closed last night.

The jury of the €50,000 Eurimages Lab Project Award picked Him for its “relevant discussion made in a witty, intelligent and compassionate style”. The film produced by Alternativet explores men’s role in contemporary Norway through three different male stories. The release in Norway is set for 2020.

Ninja Thyberg’s anticipated feature debut Jessica, winner of a Special Mention from the Eurimages Lab project Award jury, was produced by Plattform Produktion with support from Nordisk Film& TV Fond. 

At the Co-production Market where 17 projects were pitched, the standout title that won the section’s award was the Norwegian film Let the River Flow by Ole Giæver, inspired by the Alta conflict between the Sámi community and Norwegian government in the late 1970s. Maria Ekerhovd of Mer Film is producing.

The other main awards handed out in Haugesund are the following:

  • Norwegian Film critics Award to Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire, with a Special Mention to Johannes Nyholm’s Koko-di Koko-da.
  • FIPRESCI Award to the Danish film Before the Frost by Michael Noer.
  • Audience Award to Michael Herbig’s Ballon
  • Andreas Ecumenical Award to Jeanne Herry’s In Safe Hands - Ray of Sunshine to Chris Foggin’s Fishermen’s Friends (Norsk Filmdistribusjon)
  • Scandinavian Debut Award to Emile’s Blickfeldt’s The Stepsister produced by Mer Film.
  • Next Nordic Generation prize given to Homebound by Marika Harjusaari.