The major Norwegian live family film Tre nøtter til Askepott (lit’ Three nuts for Cinderella) is the feature film debut of seasoned TV director Cecilie Mosli (Mammon, Thin Ice). The film is produced by Frederick P.N. Howard and Petter J. Borgli for Storm Films, with support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Norway’s electro-pop singer/songwriter Astrid Smeplass (known as ‘Astrid S’) is a Norwegian Grammy award-winning artist, whose latest album ‘Leave it Beautiful’ was released last October by Universal.

In her first screen appearance, she will play the title role of Cinderella in the Norwegian modern version of the 1973 Czech film Three Wishes for Cinderella by Václav Vorlíček. The Norwegian version Tre nøtter til Askepott has been a Christmas classic on NRK for many years, watched every year by more than 800,000 Norwegians.

The feature film version is written by a strong team comprising Kamilla Krogsveen (Journey to the Christmas Star), Karsten Fullu (Captain Sabertooth & the Magic Diamond), as well as well-known writing duo Anna Bache-Wiig and Siv Rajendram Eliassen (Utøya: July 22, Witch Hunt, Acquitted).

In the story, armed with a great deal of courage, and empowered by her three magical hazelnuts, Cinderella is able to break free from her cruel stepmother's tyranny and rescue the prince from his gilded cage.

“We want to create an arctic blockbuster based on one of mankind's oldest humanistic fairy-tales. A grand story about breaking free from the chains of tyranny, trusting love and believing in all that is good,” said producer Frederick P.N. Howard who is extremely pleased to have Astrid S in the title role. “When we found Astrid, there was no longer any doubt. She has a radiance that shines straight through the camera lenses. I really got goose-bumps when I saw her test filming!” he said.

Director Cecilie Mosli adds: “Astrid is a discovery for me as Cinderella. She is tough and brave, but also has a sensitivity and presence that is completely unique. I am so proud to present her as the heroine of our story!”

Besides the support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond, the film received co-financing from Film Kollektiv, the Norwegian Film Institute, Nordisk Film, the Lithuanian Tax incentive and the Media Programme.

Tre nøtter til Askepott is the latest major Scandinavian family movie to hire an established pop singer to tap into their large teen fan base. In Erik Poppe’s upcoming drama epic The Emigrants, L.A. based Swedish pop star Tove Lo is making her screen debut in the role of Ulrika, taken from Vilhelm Moberg’s classic novel.