Joachim Trier’s drama claims a record six prizes in Berlin, capping a standout night for Nordic cinema on Europe’s biggest stage.

Norwegian cinema took centre stage at the 38th European Film Awards in Berlin, as Sentimental Value (Affeksjonsverdi) by Joachim Trier emerged as the ceremony’s biggest winner, collecting a record-breaking six awards — the most ever won by a Norwegian film at the event.

Voted on by the more than 5,400 members of the European Film Academy, the film received prizes for European Film, Director, Screenwriter (Trier with Eskil Vogt), Actress (Renate Reinsve), Actor (Stellan Skarsgård) and Composer (Hania Rani). The sweep consolidates the feature’s strong international trajectory following its Grand Prix win at Cannes, solid theatrical results across several territories and a prominent awards-season run.

“What a celebratory night in Berlin — for Sentimental Value and for Norwegian film,” said Kjersti Mo, director of the Norwegian Film Institute. “That Joachim Trier and the team behind the film have created a work with broad international impact was already clear in Cannes, where it received the Grand Prix. This has since been confirmed through strong theatrical results in Norway, Sweden, France and the United States, as well as eight Golden Globe nominations, the Golden Globe award to Stellan Skarsgård, the Oscar shortlist — and now this.”

In his acceptance speeches, Trier thanked the more than 1,000 collaborators credited on the film and underlined cinema’s capacity to build empathy in a time of growing global tensions. Sentimental Value is top-financed by Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Alongside the Nordic triumph, the awards also spotlighted standout non-Nordic works. Arco by Ugo Bienvenu scooped European Animated Feature Film, whilst Igor Bezinović’s Fiume o morte! claimed European Documentary, underscoring the range of voices and formats recognised this year.

The evening carried additional symbolic weight for Norway with Liv Ullmann receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Juliette Binoche, President of the European Film Academy, linking generations of Nordic and European cinema.