Here are the nominees for Nordic Council Film Prize 2025

Photo: Nordic Council Film Prize / Nordisk Film & TV Fond

First-ever nomination from the Faroe Islands – and a landmark year for Nordic documentaries.

For the first time in its two-decade history, the Nordic Council Film Prize shortlist has been expanded to seven films – reflecting an exceptionally strong year for Nordic cinema. Among the contenders is the Faroe Islands’ first-ever nominee, standing alongside celebrated works from Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. In another milestone, nearly half of the nominated titles are documentaries, underlining the growing power and artistry of non-fiction storytelling in the Nordic region.

Established in 2002 and awarded annually since 2005, the Nordic Council Film Prize is one of the region’s most esteemed cultural honours, awarded to a Nordic-produced feature film or documentary with cinema distribution. The DKK 300,000 prize is shared equally between the screenwriter, director, and producer – underscoring the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

The nominees for the 2025 Nordic Council Film Prize are:

Denmark – My Eternal Summer (Min Evige Sommer)
A tender, lyrical debut about a teenage girl navigating love, loss, and self-discovery during her mother’s final summer.

Directed by Sylvia Le Fanu – Written by Sylvia Le Fanu, Mads Lind Knudsen – Produced by Jeppe Wowk

Faroe Islands – The Last Paradise on Earth (Seinasta paradís á jørð)
A poignant Faroese-Danish drama about grief, resilience, and ecological change in a remote fishing community.

Directed by Sakaris Stórá – Written by Tommy Oksen, Mads Stegger, Sakaris Stórá – Produced by Jón Hammer

Finland – The Helsinki Effect
An archive-based documentary exploring the art of slow diplomacy during the Cold War, revealing unexpected relevance for today.

Directed & written by Arthur Franck – Produced by Sandra Enkvist, Arthur Franck, Oskar Forstén

Greenland – WALLS – Akinni Inuk
A powerful documentary following two Greenlandic women bound by trauma and resilience, navigating justice, freedom, and second chances.

Directed by Sofie Rørdam, Nina Paninnguaq Skydsbjerg – Produced by Emile Hertling Péronard

Iceland – When the Light Breaks (Ljósbrot)
A poetic, emotionally resonant story unfolding over 24 hours, capturing love, loss, and fleeting moments of beauty.

Directed & written by Rúnar Rúnarsson – Produced by Heather Millard, Rúnar Rúnarsson

Norway – Dreams (Drømmer)
A Berlinale-winning drama about first love, identity, and the blurred lines between truth, memory, and storytelling.

Directed & written by Dag Johan Haugerud – Produced by Yngve Sæther, Hege Hauff Hvattum

Sweden – Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958–1989 (Israel Palestina på svensk tv 1958-1989)
An ambitious archival documentary examining how Swedish public television portrayed the Israel–Palestine conflict over three decades.

Directed & written by Göran Hugo Olsson – Produced by Tobias Janson

About the Nordic Council Film Prize
The Nordic Council Film Prize stands alongside the Nordic Council prizes for literature, children’s and young people’s literature, music, and the environment. Its aim is to promote the circulation of Nordic films, strengthen cultural bonds within the region, and highlight the exceptional artistry of Nordic cinema.