'Nordic Council Film Prize Recipients Announced: 'When the Light Breaks' and 'Dreams,' and a First for the Faroe Islands - 'The Last Paradise on Earth' as Their Inaugural Submission'
The 2025 Nordic Council Film Prize boasts an impressive lineup of seven nominees, each offering a unique perspective on the Nordic region. The nominees include films by Dag Johan Haugerud ("Dreams") and Rúnar Rúnarsson ("When the Light Breaks").
The Faroe Islands' Sakaris Stórá marks a historic moment with his first nomination for "The Last Paradise on Earth," while Denmark's Sylvia Le Fanu makes her feature debut with "My Eternal Summer." Greenland's "WALLS – Akinni Inuk," directed by Sofie Rørdam and Nina Paninnguaq Skydsbjerg, premiered at Denmark's CPH:DOX festival.
"Rúnar Rúnarsson's film 'When the Light Breaks' is a one-day depiction of a small community, marked by tragic loss but also fleeting moments of beauty," said a film critic.
The Nordic Council Film Prize is awarded to a Nordic-produced feature film or documentary with cinema distribution. The prize is shared equally between the screenwriter, director, and producer. The winner of the Nordic Council Film Prize will be announced on Oct. 21, 2025.
"Walls - Akinni Inuk" addresses uncomfortable questions and makes a case for simple human exchange. Denmark's "My Eternal Summer" explores personal and emotional dimensions of summer, likely touching on memory and identity through intimate drama.
"The Helsinki Effect," a Finnish documentary, delves into Helsinki's urban and cultural transformations, reflecting socio-political changes and community evolution in the Finnish capital. Greenland's "WALLS – Akinni Inuk" tackles themes presumably related to identity, history, or social issues unique to indigenous Greenlandic communities.
Iceland's "When the Light Breaks" is a drama centered on existential and natural themes, illustrating Icelandic culture and landscape through poetic storytelling. Norway's "Dreams," a queer love story about a teenage girl’s infatuation with her female teacher, recently won the Berlinale Golden Bear, boosting Haugerud’s international recognition and enriching Norway’s LGBTQ+ film landscape.
Sweden's "Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958–1989" is an archival documentary that examines Swedish television coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict over three decades, investigating media, history, and politics.
The inclusion of several documentaries underlines a Nordic trend toward powerful non-fiction storytelling. These films collectively enhance Nordic cultural visibility by bringing stories from less represented areas like the Faroe Islands and Greenland to broad attention. The prize offers filmmakers recognition, encourages regional storytelling, and strengthens the cultural communities they represent through both artistic achievement and increased international exposure.
The announcement of seven nominees is a record, reflecting a particularly strong year for Nordic cinema in 2025, with screenings and discussions across Nordic festivals fostering community engagement and cultural pride.
Engaging with a diverse range of movies and TV shows offer an intriguing exploration of Nordic entertainment, showcasing unique perspectives on the region as evidenced by the nominees for the 2025 Nordic Council Film Prize. This inclusive lineup includes not only feature films but also documentaries, such as "Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958–1989," which delves into media, history, and politics, thereby expanding the scope of the entertainment genre within the Nordic community.
