Best Nordic Documentary 2026 - Nordisk Panorama

8000: An Art Odyssey

Anssi Kasitonnin maailma

Sami Sänpäkkilä

Anssi does everything his own way, and preferably with his own hands. We follow the Finnish Ars Fennica awarded artist Anssi 8000 while he prepares for the biggest exhibition of his life at >

Sami Sänpäkkilä

Anssi does everything his own way, and preferably with his own hands. We follow the Finnish Ars Fennica awarded artist Anssi 8000 while he prepares for the biggest exhibition of his life at >

Documentary

Finland

2025

74'

The Smuggler

Smugglaren

Sylvelin Måkestad

Newly retired Lisbeth travels from Sweden to Finland to retrieve her late father's pistol. Joining a "therapy bus" for the children of war veterans, she embarks on an unexpectedly emotional journey. >

Sylvelin Måkestad

Newly retired Lisbeth travels from Sweden to Finland to retrieve her late father's pistol. Joining a "therapy bus" for the children of war veterans, she embarks on an unexpectedly emotional journey. >

Documentary

Sweden
Finland

2026

79'

Island Nation

Eyríki

Nikolai Galitzine

A love letter to a remote Arctic community going through upheaval, depopulation and climate change. >

Nikolai Galitzine

A love letter to a remote Arctic community going through upheaval, depopulation and climate change. >

Documentary

Iceland

2026

79'

Homesick

Hjemsøgt

Taekyung Tanja Inwol Sørensen

The film follows the director’s story as an adoptee. Set between Denmark’s windswept west coast and the mountains of South Korea, it traces the story of a Danish family hiding domestic violence >

Taekyung Tanja Inwol Sørensen

The film follows the director’s story as an adoptee. Set between Denmark’s windswept west coast and the mountains of South Korea, it traces the story of a Danish family hiding domestic violence >

Documentary

Denmark
South Korea

2026

84'

In Cod We Trust

Guro Saniola Bjerk

The film is a portrait of a town and a story of belonging. Båtsfjord is one of the northernmost fishing villages in the world, where cod is more important than God. It is a town where people are >

Guro Saniola Bjerk

The film is a portrait of a town and a story of belonging. Båtsfjord is one of the northernmost fishing villages in the world, where cod is more important than God. It is a town where people are >

Documentary

Norway
Finland

2026

84'

This Is Not an Apple

Dette er ikke et eple

Nefise Özkal Lorentzen

After a knife attack by former friends, two Palestinian brothers face a crucial decision: to seek revenge or to offer forgiveness. The Palestinian siblings Reda, Yahya and Maria, live in a Norwegian >

Nefise Özkal Lorentzen

After a knife attack by former friends, two Palestinian brothers face a crucial decision: to seek revenge or to offer forgiveness. The Palestinian siblings Reda, Yahya and Maria, live in a Norwegian >

Documentary

Norway

2026

88'

Almost Forever

Nästan Forever

Lia Hietala, Hannah Reinikainen

Over five formative years, we follow Jasmine, Philip, and their motley crew of friends as they navigate friendship, love, and identity. As the carefree summers of childhood fade into teenage turmoil, >

Lia Hietala, Hannah Reinikainen

Over five formative years, we follow Jasmine, Philip, and their motley crew of friends as they navigate friendship, love, and identity. As the carefree summers of childhood fade into teenage turmoil, >

Documentary

Sweden
Finland

2026

89'

The Beauty of Errors

Kappale kauneinta Suomea

Jukka Kärkkäinen

The film explores the evolving bond between a father and son. As years pass, their closeness grows. But when Henri chooses a life with his girlfriend, Tero must learn to face his world alone. >

Jukka Kärkkäinen

The film explores the evolving bond between a father and son. As years pass, their closeness grows. But when Henri chooses a life with his girlfriend, Tero must learn to face his world alone. >

Documentary

Finland
Sweden

2026

94'

The Secret Reading Club of Kabul

Shakiba Adil, Elina Hirvonen

In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where women are denied the right to study, work, and speak freely, a group of young women secretly form a reading club. Inspired by Anne Frank, they start writing >

Shakiba Adil, Elina Hirvonen

In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where women are denied the right to study, work, and speak freely, a group of young women secretly form a reading club. Inspired by Anne Frank, they start writing >

Documentary

Finland
Norway

2026

94'

Little Sinner

Daro Hansen, Thomas Papapetros

In Damascus in 2007, journalism student Daro enters a sham engagement to protect her family, only to be trapped in a brutal, forced marriage. With help from her Danish boyfriend, she escapes to >

Daro Hansen, Thomas Papapetros

In Damascus in 2007, journalism student Daro enters a sham engagement to protect her family, only to be trapped in a brutal, forced marriage. With help from her Danish boyfriend, she escapes to >

Documentary

Denmark

2026

94'

A Place in the Ring

En plads i manegen

Anne Svejgård Lund

Katja Schumann is a circus icon struggling to translate her old world into a new time. When the young Liv enters her life, Katja is forced to confront herself in the other. Can she pass on her way of >

Anne Svejgård Lund

Katja Schumann is a circus icon struggling to translate her old world into a new time. When the young Liv enters her life, Katja is forced to confront herself in the other. Can she pass on her way of >

Documentary

Denmark

2025

95'

Frost Without Snow and Ice

Frost uten snø og is

Asgeir Helgestad

For ten years, a filmmaker follows polar bear Frost – a mother struggling to raise her cubs in a rapidly changing Arctic. A story of survival and love, conflict and loss from Svalbard, the >

Asgeir Helgestad

For ten years, a filmmaker follows polar bear Frost – a mother struggling to raise her cubs in a rapidly changing Arctic. A story of survival and love, conflict and loss from Svalbard, the >

Documentary

Norway

2026

95'

Best Nordic Documentary

The Best Nordic Documentary Award is presented to one of the films selected for the competition.

The award goes to the director(s) of the winning film.

The cash award of 11.000€ is sponsored by the Nordic public broadcasters.

8000: An Art Odyssey

Anssi Kasitonnin maailma

Sami Sänpäkkilä

Sami Sänpäkkilä

The Smuggler

Smugglaren

Sylvelin Måkestad

Sylvelin Måkestad

Island Nation

Eyríki

Nikolai Galitzine

Nikolai Galitzine

Homesick

Hjemsøgt

Taekyung Tanja Inwol Sørensen

Taekyung Tanja Inwol Sørensen

In Cod We Trust

In Cod We Trust

Guro Saniola Bjerk

Guro Saniola Bjerk

This Is Not an Apple

Dette er ikke et eple

Nefise Özkal Lorentzen

Nefise Özkal Lorentzen

Almost Forever

Nästan Forever

Lia Hietala, Hannah Reinikainen

Lia Hietala, Hannah Reinikainen

The Beauty of Errors

Kappale kauneinta Suomea

Jukka Kärkkäinen

Jukka Kärkkäinen

The Secret Reading Club of Kabul

The Secret Reading Club of Kabul

Shakiba Adil, Elina Hirvonen

Shakiba Adil, Elina Hirvonen

Little Sinner

Little Sinner

Daro Hansen, Thomas Papapetros

Daro Hansen, Thomas Papapetros

A Place in the Ring

En plads i manegen

Anne Svejgård Lund

Anne Svejgård Lund

Frost Without Snow and Ice

Frost uten snø og is

Asgeir Helgestad

Asgeir Helgestad