Two Norwegian filmmakers are set to direct feature films with production grants from the Norwegian Film Institute. Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken is directing a family film on the true story about the chimpanzee Julius and Rune Spaans is directing a third instalment in The Brothers Gruff franchise.
The two feature films that received production funding based on market assessment in the June round, received a total of 22,000,000 Norwegian kroner (Euro: 1,9 million) The films were Like a Brother and the new The Brothers Gruff-film, with the Norwegian title Bukkene Bruse og juletrollet.
In the twilight hours between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1979, Julius was born in Kristiansand Zoo in Norway only to face a brutal rejection by his own mother. Consequently, Julius found him- self adopted by a human family. But what happens when a chimpanzee becomes part of a human household? And will it be possible to help him back to his own kind, if he identifies as a human being?
Like a Brother chronicles the challenging journey towards acceptance among his fellow chimpanzees; it portrays the strong bond formed between humans and animals, and how the children Julius once lived with still regard him as their brother.
Like a Brother has received 13,200,000 Norwegian kroner (Euro 1,1 million) in production support from The Norwegian Film Institute.
Director is Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken, scriptwriter is Kamilla Krogsveen and the film has a total budget of 80,000,000 Norwegian kroner (Euro 6,9 million)
Producers are Caroline Hitland, Thomas Robsahm for Nordisk Film Production and the film is planned to premiere in Norwegian cinemas in late 2027. Distributor is Nordisk Film Distribusjon and sales are handled by Trust Nordisk.
How nice do you really have to be to get a visit from Santa? The Brothers Gruff don’t want to take any chances before Christmas – but when a greedy troll starts chasing them, they risk causing the biggest Christmas disaster ever! This is the third film in the popular The Brothers Gruff universe, based on the books by Gry Moursund and Bjørn F. Rørvik.
The Brothers Gruff is an animated film that has received 8,800,000 NOK (Euro 760,000) in production support from the Norwegian Film Institute.
The film is written by Thorkild Schrumpf and directed by Rune Spaans. It is produced by Stian Tveiten for Qvisten Animation AS and will premiere in Norwegian cinemas late in 2027.
Manager International Relations, Feature Films
