Thea Hvistendahl, Mikkel B. Sandemose films among Fund recipients

Feature Film Support

• Handling the Undead (Håndtering av udøde)
  Grant: NOK2 million
  Recipient: Einar Film Drama, Norway
  Producer: Kristin Emblem
  Director: Thea Hvistendahl
  Writer: John Ajvide Lindqvist
  Domestic distribution: Nordisk Film
  Logline: Set in Oslo, Handling the Undead is a zombie movie that deals with loss, grief, but also hope. It is written by Swedish genre specialist John Ajvide Lindqvist (Border, Let the Right one In) from his own eponymous novel, published in 2004 and translated into English in 2009.
  
  Speaking earlier to nordiskfilmandtvnews.com, Emblen said: “The film is about accepting what we cannot control, told through a multiple strand story where the characters experience how it could be to bring their loved ones back to life, if only for a short moment.”
  
  The project is the directorial debut of rising talent Thea Hvistendahl, known for the short films Virgin4lyfe (SXSW selected), Children of Satan (2019) and hybrid music doc The Monkey and the Mouth (Adjø Montebello). Top cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth (22 July, Amundsen) who worked with Hvistendahl on her earlier films, is attached to the project, alongside editor Trude Lirhus (State of Happiness, Young & Promising). Filming is due to start late summer 2022. The film is co-produced by Zentropa Sweden, with co-financing from Oslo Film Fund, the Norwegian Film Institute, the Swedish Film Institute and Nordisk Film which handles Scandinavian distribution.

• Valemon: The Polar Bear King (Kvitebjørn)
  Grant: NOK 3 million
  Recipient: Maipo Film, Norway
  Producer: Cornelia Boysen
  Director: Mikkel B. Sandemose
  Writer: Maja Lunde
  Domestic distribution: Nordisk Film
  World sales: TrustNordisk
  Logline: The 2D animated film centres on the adventurous Liv, who dreams of leaving her home in the woods. When the polar bear Valemon offers her family a way out of poverty if she comes with him, she accepts. A friendship starts to form between the two. For Valemon is in reality a prince, once cursed by a witch. With her animal friends by her side, Liv sets out on a journey to confront the witch and save Prince Valemon.
  
  The film is co-produced by Belgium’s Vivi Film and Belga Productions, with support from the Norwegian Film Institute, Creative Europe MEDIA Programme. Nordisk Film will handle the domestic release, set for December 25, 2024.

• The King’s Land (Konges Land)
  Grant: NOK 3 million
  Recipient: Zentropa Entertainment
  Producer: Lousie Vesth
  Further details will be announced at a later date

Industry Initiatives Support

• NOK 550,000 to Haugesund’s Norwegian Film Festival towards New Nordic Films
• NOK 300,000 to m:brane Forum, Malmö
• NOK 55,000 to Filmgreb for Young Nordic Producers Club in Cannes