Overview
New Nordic Films is the Nordic co-production and financing market that runs during the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund. The 32nd edition takes place August 25 to 28, 2026, with the Nordic Co-Production Market pitch day on Wednesday, August 26 at the Maritim Hall, Quality Hotel Maritim. The market gathers approximately 350 film professionals including co-producers, film funds, distributors, sales agents, and festival programmers interested in Nordic cinema.
The market accepts feature film projects (fiction, animation, or documentary) in advanced development that are seeking co-producers, co-financing, and international sales agents. For 2026, the project submission deadline is May 28. The 2025 edition received a record 92 submissions, from which 21 projects were selected for pitching. The 2026 edition has a special focus on France, in cooperation with the Institut Francais de Norvege, the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and the CNC, making French producers eligible to apply alongside Nordic production companies.
For selected filmmakers, New Nordic Films provides accommodation and breakfast for 3 nights at the festival hotel for the director and producer, free festival and market accreditation, a project description in the New Nordic Films catalog and website, tailored one-on-one meetings with key industry players, and access to social events. The market is headed by Gyda Velvin Myklebust (gyda@kino.no), with program coordinator Line Halvorsen (line@filmfestivalen.no).
Key Sections
- Nordic Co-Production Market - the core pitching forum where selected projects are presented to an audience of co-producers, film funds, distributors, and sales agents, followed by one-on-one meetings
- Works in Progress - screenings of completed or near-completed films seeking distribution and sales representation (16 projects presented in 2025)
- Nordic Council Film Prize - presentation of nominees for the annual Nordic Council Film Prize, which carries a cash prize of 350,000 DKK
- Panel Discussions - seminars on distribution, co-production, and industry trends, organized in collaboration with Europa Distribution and other partners
- Market Screenings - screenings at Edda Cinema for market attendees throughout the event
Submission Details
Applications are submitted online via the New Nordic Films website. The submission requires a fully completed entry form with project materials.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project Deadline | May 28, 2026 |
| 2026 Event Dates | August 25 to 28, 2026 |
| Pitch Day | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 |
| Venue | Maritim Hall, Quality Hotel Maritim, Haugesund |
| 2025 Submissions | 92 applications, 21 projects selected |
| Eligibility | Nordic production companies, or companies with Nordic story connections; 2026 also includes French producers |
| Project Stage | Advanced development with completed screenplay |
| Budget Requirement | At least 30% of budget covered (preferred) |
| Prior Experience | Company should have completed one international co-production (preferred) |
What Selected Filmmakers Receive
- Accommodation and breakfast for 3 nights at the festival hotel for director and producer
- Free festival and market accreditation for director and producer
- Project description in the New Nordic Films catalog and website
- Tailored one-on-one meetings with co-producers, sales agents, distributors, and film fund representatives
- Social events and networking gatherings
What Filmmakers Should Know
The Nordic Co-Production Market is the primary venue for Nordic feature film projects to find co-production partners. The 2025 edition attracted over 250 delegates, including nearly 20 sales outlets such as Coproduction Office, Le Pacte, Beta Cinema, and The Playmaker, plus programmers from Sundance, Tribeca, Rome, and Karlovy Vary, and buyers including Netflix and HBO Max.
The market is particularly valuable for producers whose projects have at least 30% of the budget covered and need co-financing from Nordic or European partners. The one-on-one meeting format means that selected projects get direct face time with decision-makers rather than relying on cold outreach.
The 2026 France focus means French producers can apply with projects that have a Nordic connection, and French producer delegates can attend to explore co-producing with Nordic companies. This expands the co-financing pool beyond the usual Nordic partners.
The Works in Progress section is separate from the pitching forum and targets films in post-production. In 2025, 16 projects were presented, including Linda Hambaeck's animation Dante, voiced by Stella Skarsgard and David Dencik. This section is where sales agents and distributors evaluate near-complete films for acquisition.
Festival History
New Nordic Films began in 1995 as the industry arm of the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund. The market has operated for over three decades as a meeting place for Nordic and international film professionals. The Nordic Co-Production Market has grown from a regional networking event into a structured financing platform that attracts major European sales agents, distributors, and streaming buyers.
The market has adapted to shifts in Nordic film financing. In recent years, cuts in TV investment, pauses in Icelandic film funding, and a finite number of Norwegian development grants have created a bottleneck for projects in development. New Nordic Films has positioned itself as an alternative route to financing for producers who cannot rely solely on national film institute support.
The 2025 edition opened with a Cannes Premiere entry and closed with a Palme d'Or winner, both screened as market titles. The 2026 edition marks the 21st year of the Nordic Co-Production and Finance Market.
Past Winners
New Nordic Films presents the nominees for the Nordic Council Film Prize, which carries a cash prize of 350,000 DKK. The winner is announced at the Nordic Council's autumn session, separate from the Haugesund market. The Co-Production Market also awards a Best Pitch prize.
Nordic Council Film Prize winners (recent):
- 2025 - The Last Paradise on Earth (Faroe Islands), dir. Sakaris Stórá
- 2024 - Sex (Norway), dir. Dag Johan Haugerud
- 2023 - Empire (Denmark), dir. Frederikke Aspöck
- 2022 - Lamb (Iceland), dir. Valdimar Jóhannsson
- 2021 - Flee (Denmark), dir. Jonas Poher Rasmussen
Co-Production Market Best Pitch Award winners:
- 2025 Best Pitch - Wannabe (Denmark), dir. Patricia Bbaale Bandak, produced by Monolit Film. Prize includes participation in the Producers Network at the Marché du Film in Cannes.
- 2025 Storyline Production Award - The Greatest Illusion (Norway), dir. Benjamin Ree. Inaugural award worth NOK 250,000 in services including camera equipment rental and grading.
- 2025 Next Nordic Generation - My Name Is Hope, crowned champion in the emerging talent strand.
- 2024 Best Pitch - The Curse - A Love Story (Sweden), dir. Amanda Kernell, produced by Nordisk Film. The jury praised the pitch as "deeply personal and truly compelling."
- 2022 Best Project - Acts of Love (Denmark), dir. Jeppe Ronde, produced by Paloma Pictures.
Notable Alumni Films and Where They Ended Up
The Nordic Council Film Prize nominees and Co-Production Market projects have a strong track record of reaching major festivals and securing international distribution.
- *Flee (dir. Jonas Poher Rasmussen, 2021)* - Won the 2021 Nordic Council Film Prize. Premiered at Sundance 2021, winning the Grand Jury Prize for World Documentary. Became the first film nominated for Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best International Feature at the Academy Awards. Neon distributed the film in North America.
- *Lamb (dir. Valdimar Jóhannsson, 2022)* - Won the 2022 Nordic Council Film Prize. Premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes 2021, winning the Prize for Originality. A24 acquired North American rights, making it the first Icelandic film distributed by the company. The trailer accumulated millions of views within days of release.
- *The Worst Person in the World (dir. Joachim Trier, 2022)* - Nominated for the 2022 Nordic Council Film Prize. Premiered at Cannes 2021, where Renate Reinsve won Best Actress. Received Oscar nominations for Best International Feature and Best Original Screenplay. Neon distributed the film in the United States.
- *Sex (dir. Dag Johan Haugerud, 2024)* - Won the 2024 Nordic Council Film Prize. Premiered in Berlinale Panorama 2024 as the first part of Haugerud's Sex, Dreams, Love trilogy. m-appeal handled world sales, with Arthaus releasing it theatrically in Norway.
- *Dreams (dir. Dag Johan Haugerud, 2025)* - Nominated for the 2025 Nordic Council Film Prize. Won the Golden Bear at Berlinale 2025, the first Norwegian film to win the top prize. Strand Releasing acquired US rights. The third film in Haugerud's acclaimed trilogy.
Submission Tips Specific to This Festival
The market is highly competitive. In 2025, 92 projects applied for 21 pitching slots, a selection rate of roughly 23%. Your project should be in advanced development with a completed screenplay and at least 30% of the budget covered.
The pitch is the centerpiece. Selected projects present to an audience of co-producers, sales agents, distributors, and fund representatives, followed by tailored one-on-one meetings. Prepare a concise, compelling pitch that clearly articulates your co-production needs and financing gaps.
The 2026 edition introduces a France focus, making French producers eligible to apply alongside Nordic companies. If your project has a Nordic story connection and a French co-producer, this edition offers expanded eligibility and access to French financing partners.
First-time applicants should note that the market prefers companies with at least one completed international co-production. If your company lacks this experience, partnering with an established Nordic producer strengthens your application significantly.
Industry Reputation Notes
New Nordic Films is the primary Nordic co-production market, paired with the Göteborg Nordic Film Market as the two key industry events for Nordic cinema. The Haugesund market focuses on projects in development seeking co-financing, while Göteborg focuses on completed films seeking distribution.
The market has grown in importance as Nordic public funding has contracted. Cuts in TV investment, pauses in Icelandic film funding, and limited Norwegian development grants have created a bottleneck for projects. New Nordic Films positions itself as an alternative financing route for producers who cannot rely solely on national film institute support.
The Best Pitch Award includes access to the Producers Network at the Cannes Marché du Film. This gives selected projects a direct pathway to the world's largest film market. The 2025 addition of the Storyline Production Award (NOK 250,000 in services) further strengthens the market's appeal.
Industry professionals value the market for its curated selection and intimate scale. With approximately 300 attendees, the event is small enough for quality conversations but large enough to attract major buyers. The 2025 post-market wrap described the lineup as "impressive," with particular praise for projects in development.
Watch
See Also
For European co-production financing, see Film Financing Guide. For Nordic documentary and short film submission, see Nordisk Panorama Film Festival. To estimate production budget requirements for co-production applications, use the Indie Film Budget Calculator.
