Norwegian island Frøya and Midgard Film Commission won the Global Production Award for Emerging Location in Cannes

The Norwegian island Frøya and Midgard Film Commission received the prestigious Global Production Award for Emerging Locations at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19.

The international recognition celebrates Frøya as one of the most promising new destinations for film and television production, spotlighting its breathtaking natural landscapes, efficient support systems, and strong local engagement.

“This award confirms what we have long believed – that a small island with a big vision can become a global player in the screen industry. Frøya’s success is built on trust, ambition, and collaboration, and we’re thrilled to see that recognised at the highest level,” says Solveig Sigmond Ræstad, Film Commissioner at Midgard.

Since 2019, the island at the coast of Norway and Midgard Film Commission have worked purposefully to develop the location into a vibrant hub for screen productions, combining cinematic beauty with a highly film-friendly infrastructure.

Mayor of Frøya, Kristin Strømskag, accepted the award in Cannes alongside Ræstad and film coordinator Mona Skarsvåg.

“This is a proud and emotional moment for all of us. It reflects not only the unique visual character of our island, but the warmth, dedication, and professionalism of our local community,” Strømskag says.

Frøya has attracted international attention with productions like Billionaire Island (Milliardærøya), Gold Run(Gulltransporten), Everyboday Hates Johan (Alle hater Johan), and Norwegian Dream, and earlier this year Frøya and Midgard Film Commission recieved the EUFCN Location Jury Award 2024.

The Global Production Award underlines Norway’s growing influence in the global screen sector, and positions Frøya as a forward-thinking destination for ambitious storytelling.

The other Emerging Location nominees were: Broward County (Film Lauderdale, US), Canterbury (ChristchurchNZ, New Zealand), County Wexford (Screen Wexford, Ireland), El Paso (El Paso Film & Creative Industries Commission, US), Missouri (Missouri Film Office, US), and Åland Islands (Åland Film Commission, Finland).