For the first time in 38 years, the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway (August 18-26) will launch a ?Nordic Focus' that will allow members of the audience and media to discover a large selection of Nordic films, until now reserved to professionals attending the New Nordic Films market.
Six films from Denmark, two from Sweden and one from Finland are part of Nordic Focus such as A Rational Solution, Bad Family, Everything will be Fine and The Woman who Dreamed of a Man, all supported by Nordisk Film & TV Fond.
As usual, the main festival programme will feature award winning films from Berlin and Cannes such as Golden Bear winner Honey (to be released by Action Film in Norway) Palme d'Or winner Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Arthaus) as well as Armadillo, to be presented by its director Janus Metz. Norway will have the privilege to open the main festival on August 21 with Maria Sødahl's first feature film Limbo while Stefan Faldbakken's new Varg Veum film The Writing on the Wall will be the closing film on August 25. The two films will have their world premiere, along with the Norwegian/UK co-production Wide Blue Yonder to be introduced by its main actor Brian Cox.
As a sign of the Norwegian government's support to the local film industry, the new Minister of Culture Anniken Huitfeldt will attend the official opening of the festival, the Amanda awards ceremony on August 20, and she will meet with participants of New Nordic Films. August 24 will be another important date for Haugesund participants with the announcement of the five Nordic films nominated for the 2010 Nordic Council Film Prize. Nordisk Film & TV Fond who administers the Prize on behalf of the Nordic Council, is also one of the sponsors of the Norwegian International Film Festival.
For more information see: http://www.filmfestivalen.no/