The Norwegian Film Institute Marks a Historic Norwegian Oscar Presence in Hollywood

Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value is nominated for nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best International Feature Film. The Ugly Stepsister, directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, is nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Espen Nordahl at Norwegian VFX producers Storm Studios is nominated for Best Visual Effects on Sinners. 

"Never before has Norwegian film had such a strong presence at the Oscars. This is a historic moment for Norwegian cinema, and the Norwegian Film Institute is using this opportunity to promote Norwegian filmmakers internationally, and to build international relations for Norwegian film industry" says Kjersti Mo, CEO of the Norwegian Film Institute. 

The Norwegian Film Institute will be hosting press meetings, receptions and events at Stanley House on Friday March 13 and Saturday March 14. The Norwegian Film Institute previously hosted events at Stanley House in 2022, when Liv Ullmann received an honorary Oscar and Joachim Trier's The Worst Person in the World was nominated to two Oscars.  

Press meeting and reception

The press meeting with the Norwegian nominees will be held at Stanley House on Friday, with nominees and representatives from Sentimental Value and The Ugly Stepsister, and Best Visual Effects nominee Espen Nordahl from Storm Studios. On Friday evening, the Norwegian Film Institute will host a reception for the Norwegian Oscar nominees and invited guests from the international film industry.

On Saturday at Stanley House, the Norwegian Film Institute is hosting the industry summit Norwegian Stories in a Global Industry featuring conversations and keynotes on Norwegian storytelling in the international screen industries. Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery will be attending and deliver opening remarks.

The program includes data‑driven analyses of the Nordic region’s visibility in Hollywood, discussions on collaborations between Norwegian and U.S. productions, and meetings with key producers, VFX communities, and IP holders behind global franchises such as Conan and Dune. The evening concludes with a live podcast led by the editors of Norwegian film magazine Montages, featuring IndieWire editor-at-large Anna Thompson on Norway's Oscar moment.

Attending the Oscars

"Regardless of who takes home the Oscar awards on Sunday, these nominations represent a tremendous recognition of Norwegian cinema. The 11 Oscar nominations show that Norwegian filmmakers are telling stories that resonate far beyond Norway’s borders — stories rooted in Norwegian culture and reality, yet capable of engaging audiences worldwide. These nominations also open doors to new creative collaborations and international financing opportunities for Norwegian films,” says Kjersti Mo, CEO of the Norwegian Film Institute.

CEO Kjersti Mo will be attending the official Academy Award nominees reception on Friday,  and will be present at the Oscar ceremony at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night, with Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery. 

NOW  –  Nordic Opportunity Week 

Monday March 16 marks the start of NOW - Nordic Opportunity Week, a program for producers, directors, investors, studios, sales agents, and development hubs from the Nordic region and the United States.The program includes studio visits, curated pitch sessions for selected projects, project presentations for decision makers, networking arenas for Nordic and international industry players, individual meetings with U.S. industry representatives, as well as professional and social meeting spaces.

From Norway, participants include film and TV producers Dyveke Bjørkly Graver, Håkon Øverås and Ole Marius Elvestad; directors Arild Frölich, Brwa Vahabpour and Elle Márjá Eira; as well as game developers Jørgen Tharaldsen, Jim Hansen, Viktor Enoksen, Bendik Stang and Erik Hoftun.