best Nordic film

The international jury was composed of: Sebastiaan Mulder, Hanna Suni and Jasmijn Kooijman

Meetings of Love offers a captivating ensemble of comically dissatisfied characters, each wrestling with their life stories and fervently pursuing avenues to escape their miseries. Their struggles are delightfully entwined through the whimsical flower delivery boy's mission to deliver the "unwanted" bouquet.

The film's extraordinary commitment to detail is evident in its meticulously selected color schemes, playful set design, and the recurring motif of flickering light, all of which artfully serve as a unifying thread that gracefully intertwines the lives of the building's diverse residents.

The film skillfully strikes a harmonious balance between tragedy and humor, accentuated by its pompous instrumental music. It delves into various facets of the human psyche through its characters within a relatively short timeframe. Meetings of Love is a standout in storytelling and filmmaking, deserving of the Best Film award.

best International film

The nordic jury was composed of: Sebastiaan Mulder, Hanna Suni and Jasmijn Kooijman

It is a study on the strengths of vulnerability when faced with an all-permeating, powerful gaze. It starts as an academic final dissertation project for the director, who has for some time been fascinated by an amateur filmmaker and work on wild beasts and especially bears. In the footage entrusted to her by the filmmaker, she discovers multiple takes of women in public, their bodies, faces and high heels fetishized by the male gaze of the camera, a bit like wild beasts in the jungle.

The director feels unable to carry on with her initial project but in a magisterial twist, what was to be a documentary about a wild beast filmmaker turns into the gentlest, most instructive and open confrontation between them. These discussion scenes are interspersed with the original animal and female bodies footage. The editing is complex and multilayered, the commentary measured yet informative, the camera work unintrusive, allowing the drama between the two characters to unfold. The film is a pas-de-deux of the centrality of the gaze and ocularcentrism, male desire and how casually (even when unintentionally) imparts aggression and violence, the corresponding female trauma and vulnerability, the all-around shame and guilt, and even the colonial attitude towards nature and to which most things are being subsumed.

What is particularly touching is the way both the Director and the filmmaker try to understand each other’s perspective. Yet what one admires the most is the strong personal and professional boundaries erected by Morgane Frund when confronted with the usual disclaimers of ‘well, these women were filmed like a thing of beauty, like you would film a flower’. Frund’s treatment of her subject matter and the person in front of her, is an example to us all about considerate yet strong boundary setting against the wrongs that have saturated our structures to the point of becoming undetectable.

best international film

The international jury was composed of: Fredrik Mortensen, Andreas Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos and Sarah Schipschack

A dice, a candle, a covered window. A living room of a family stuck in time.

The jury was impressed by the minimalistic cinematic language, in which the camera continuously moves in circles. A movement that both creates tension and becomes a metaphor for the state of mind of the characters and ultimately the viewer.

In this film the acting, camerawork and scenography go together seamlessly. Even though every action is carefully planned, the film manages to give a documentary-like feeling. With a great sense of respect for her subject matter, the filmmaker shows us what life can look like in times of war.

honourable mention - international competition

We would like to highlight a film that experiments with different techniques, while portraying a personal story. We were captivated by all the details that show how much time and passion was put into making this unique animation. The filmmaker shows the ability to touch upon a dark subject in a playful and creative way. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

best nordic film

The Nordic jury was composed of: Olha Tsybulska, Ernie Roby-Tomic and Risten Anine Gaup

First the jury wants to congratulate all the filmmakers and their contributors with all the films. This year`s Nordic Films at NUFF 2022 has shown a big diversity in both themes and storytelling, with high-quality films with relevance from our daily lives and our daily surroundings.

This year's winner approached a topic that is relevant to all of us, where an individual act becomes a great deal to everyone involved when coming into a social space. The filmmaker brings the viewer into a social-anthropological study, which will spark a lot of debate and reactions. The film`s characters are probably sitting in this room, perhaps seated next to you. The use of humor dismantles the confronting nature of the scenario, and we in the jury were all impressed by the finesse with which the filmmaker accomplished this. We sincerely apologize to everyone who was offended by all the topless human beings in the swimming pool, but the best Nordic film goes to Pool Rule!

honourable mention - nordic competition

This year’s honorable mention puts an emphasis on how animation can creatively open several doors in this film’s narrative. In a rural town we find a local and heavily debated story transforming, as the filmmaker decides to give an animal human traits and characteristics. By doing so, the film allows the audience to decide if this story turns out to be a tragedy, comedy, or both. The refreshing cross-over between documentary and animation drew the jury to the conclusion that this year’s honorable mention is “The Harbourmaster / Havnesjefen”.

audience award

amandus@nuff award

The Amandus@NUFF award goes to a film that humorously conveys what we are capable of doing when we are not stimulated by other impulses at all times. It portrays a feeling that many may have experienced during the pandemic... in a very fantastical and action-packed way. What actually happens when we get bored, and what kind of creativity can arise? Who hasn't fantasized themselves as a wizard, a superhero or an action hero in massive, spectacular scenes from time to time? The filmmakers takes this idea and bring it into an impressively made action spectacle, and it shows that they really have had a lot of fun with exploring this genre. The winning film is Boredom, by Viktor Gelbek.

best pitch

The winner of the first ever NUFF pitch is Thale Frobenius Stana. Her film idea, which explores the dynamics of mother and daughter relationship was awarded with 10 000 NOK cash prize and professional mentorship from the regional filmsenter Nordnorsk Filmsenter.

The best pitch award goes to an idea that is original, complex, interesting and coherent, and that shows high potential to be made into a quality film.

2021 WINNERS

Best International Film

Special mention - International Competition

Best nordic film

special mention - Nordic competition

audience award

2020 winners

2018

Best Nordic film age group <18

Milky Way
By Adam Onishi (Sweden)

Best Nordic film age group 19-21: 

Soaring Soldiers 
by Cecilie Elmholt Skou (Denmark)

Best Nordic film age group 22 – 26:

Waltzing Tilda
by Jonathan Wilhelmsson (Sweden)

Best Nordic film

When we meet again
by William Sehested Høeg (Denmark)

Best international film 

The Big Show
by Julien Jennequin (France)

Audience Award

When we meet again
by William Sehested Høeg (Denmark)

Nordic Jury:
Leif Holst Jensen (Foreningen Norden)
Thomas Skogstad (Tromsø Film Klubb)
John-Kristian Dalseth (Tromsø Internasjonale Filmfestival)

International jury:
Lasse Gjertsen (filmmaker Norge)
Mohamed Jabaly (Filmmaker Gaza/Tromsø)
Alessandro Belelli (TVIBIT)

2017

Best Nordic Film <18
Kid Inside (Legebarn) 
by Lasse Hvidt Freiesleben Laursen (Denmark)

Special Mention Nordic Film 19-21 :
I Think about it in the Shower (I duschen tanker jag på det som mest)
by Robin Nicolina Gustafsson (Sweden)

Best Nordic Film 19-21
The Conversation (Samtalen)
by Agnete Gradek (Norway)

Special Mention Nordic Film 22-26 :
Skitzosatan – Lonely Wizard (Skizosatan – Ensom Trollmann)
by Andrea Conradsen (Norway)

Best Nordic Film 22-26
My Gay Sister (Min homosyster)
by Lia Hietala ( Sweden/Norway)

Best Nordic Film
Mum´s Hair (Mammas Hår)
by Maja Arnekleiv

Best International Film
A Girl Goes For Dinner
by Jack Ethan Perry (UK)

Audience Award
Ask No Questions
by Hanna Suni & Iver Jensen (Norway)

International Jury NUFF 2017
Jianhua Gao (China)
Tonje Ness Meinhardt (Norway)
Terje A. Nymark (Norway)

NORDIC JURY NUFF 2017
Christine Cynn (Norway/USA)
Leif Holst Jensen (Norway)
Jana Cernik (Germany)

2016

Best Nordic Film <18
White Lies
by Tiril Celine Leggett, Norway

Best Nordic Film 19-21
Driving To Thule
by Tommy Flavin & Hanna Sunni, Faroe Islands/Norway

Best Nordic Film 22-26
The One Who Remember More
by Lauri Autere & Minna Valjanen, Finland

Best Nordic Film
Bestevenner / Best Friends
by Alexander Armas Kereklidis Turpin, Norway

Special Mention Nordic
Det kommer båter / There Will Be Boats
by Emilie K Beck, Norway

Best International Film
Alpajeevi / Short - Lived
by Naomi Shah, India

Special Mention International
In the Parking Lot
by Juliana Orea, Mexico

Audience Award
In the Parking Lot
by Juliana Orea, Mexico

Nordic Jury NUFF 2016

Arne Sommer (Germany)
Sarah Schipschack (Norway/Germany)
Dane Dodds (South Africa)

International Jury NUFF 2016

Ismet Bachtiar (Norway)
Dan Thomas (Wales)
Isra Odeh (Palestina)

2015

Best Nordic Film <18
The Jolly adventure of the men who travelled in time 
by Iver Jensen (Norway)

Best Nordic Film 19-21
Gryning / Stockholm Daybreak
by Elin Övergaard (Sweden)

Best Nordic Film 22-26
Bland Bröder - Brothers between
by Samori Tovatt (Sweden)

Best Nordic Film
Outro
by Marcus Storm (Sweden)

Special Mention Nordic
Bestefar / Grandpa
by Åshild Samseth (Norway)

Best International
Disfavor / Unten Durch
by Friedrich Tiedtke (Germany)

Special Mention International
Warm Snow
by Ira Eishansky (Israel)

Nordic Jury NUFF 2015
Astrid Aure (Norway) 
Leif Holst Jensen (Norway)
Kjetil Karolius (Norway)

International Jury NUFF 2015
Eilif Bremer Landsend (Norway)
Mohamed Jabaly (Palestine)
Espen Nomedal (Norway)

2014

Best Nordic Film <18

Flush
by William Dinesen (Denmark)

Best Nordic Film 19-21

Uten deg (Without You)
by Marius Myrmel (Norway)

Special Mention (18-21)

Jupiters bane (The End of Jupiter)
by Jørgen Egner Granerud (Norway)

Best Nordic Film 22-26

60-talet ringde (The 60’s Called)
by Paolo Nobis Sandén (Sverige)

Best Nordic Film
Infringe
by Martin Åhlin (Sweden)

Best International

Arefi, der Hirte (Arefi, the Sheperd)
by Daniel Asadi Faezi (Iran/Tyskland)

Special Mention International 

O Vacanta la Mare (Holliday At The Seaside)
By Cristina Grosan (Hungary)

International Jury NUFF 2014

Olena Maksymenko (festival director til New Vison International Short Film Festival Kiev)
Øyvind Opshaug (film producer, Tromsø)
Martin Åhlin (film director, Sweden)

Nordic Jury NUFF 2014

Endre Lund Eriksen (script writer, Norway)
Elisa Fernanda Ruiz Pirir (film student)
David Moen (Aurora Kino Tromsø)