Programme Berlin 2019
07.02 - 17.02
Norwegian films in Berlin
Norwegian films in Berlin
Berlinale 2019: This is the Norwegian films in Berlin 2019.
Hans Petter Moland’s latest feature will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Rasmus A. Sivertsen’s second film about Louis & Luca is selected for the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus competition.
Edith Carlmar’s The Wayward Girl is the first Norwegian entry in the festival’s Retrospective programme.
The two short films She-Pack by Fanny Ovesen and Dad by Atle S. Blakseth and Einar Dunsad will be screened in the Generation Kplus programme.
Norway in Focus at European Film Market
Norway in Focus
Berlinale 2019: To be named Country in Focus at the 2019 European Film Market as the first European country to be granted this privilege, is a great honour for Norway as a filmmaking nation, says the Norwegian Minister of Culture, Trine Skei Grande.
IN 2019, NORWAY has also been granted status as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, and partner country at Jazzahead in Bremen. Hopefully, 2019 will prove to be one of Norway’s most significant inter national investments in culture.
Curiosity about each other’s per spectives and stories leads to a common understanding and enhanced alliances. International cultural collaboration is therefore essential. Arts and culture are essentially about freedom of speech, and it has the potential to enlighten, challenge and develop us. Therefore, a diversity of opinions in arts, culture and society as a whole takes us forward as nations.
The European film Market is a celebration of diversity and shows us that stories have no borders. Taking part in cultural activities like watching a film or reading a book are valuable experiences that broaden our perspec tives. Norway, with a population of 5 million, nevertheless produces a wide variety of feature films, drama series and documentaries each year.
I hope Norway’s participation at the 2019 European Film Market will give the filmmaking world a favourable impression of the Norwegian film industry, in terms of everything it has to offer when it comes to coproduction, postproduction, actors, locations, production services and story telling. Moreover, I truly hope that we can learn from each other at the European Film Market and be inspired to strengthen our cultural alliances further. Finally, we look forward to another festival where a diversity of voices will broaden our perspectives. On behalf of the Norwegian government, I wish you all an unforgettable experience in Berlin this year.
Trine Skei Grande Minister of Culture, Norway
Programme Norway in Focus
Eldbjørg Hemsing
Music from Norway in Berlin: Concert Tuesday Feb. 12
International Indigenous Co-Productions
Gurls
Music from Norway in Berlin: Miniconcert Sunday Feb. 10
Out Stealing Horses
In Main Competition: Hans Petter Molands fourth film in Berlinale Competition
Shooting star
Ine Marie Wilmann will be Berlinale Shooting Star
The lead actress in Sonja – The White Swan will represent Norway in the European Film Promotion programme at the Berlin International Film Festival between 7-17 February, 2019.
Norwegian actress Ine Marie Wilmann, who plays the lead in Norwegian director Anne Sewitsky’s Sonja Henie biopic Sonja – The White Swan (Sonja), is among the 10 European best up-and-coming acting talents, who have been selected for the Shooting Star programme at the Berlin International Film Festival between 7-17 February, 2019.
Introduction to the international film scene
Organised for the 22nd year by the European Film Promotion, the three-day schedule (8-11 February) will introduce the participants to the international film scene and give them the opportunity to meet casting directors, producers and filmmakers in one-on-one meetings, creating their own personal contacts and networks.
"Ine Marie Wilmann blew the jury away with the physicality of her performance as iconic ice-skater Sonja Henie in Anne Sewitsky's Sonja: The White Swan, where she skillfully combines (inner) strength, subtlety and profundity. Wilmann is a magnetic leading lady," said the international jury who selected her.
”What a day – it is a pleasure to be chosen, really a great honour,” exclaimed Wilman, who will be on stage at the Berlinale Palast on 11 February to receive the European Shooting Star Award. Wilmann also had her cinema break-through in a Anne Sewitsky film, Homesick (De nærmeste/2015), which won her an Amanda – Norway’s national film prize – for Best Actress.
A frequent performer
The 33-year-old actress, who has also been awarded the Norwegian TV Industry’s Golden Screen for her performance in the TV2 thriller series The Third Eye (Det tredje øyet/2014-2016), was educated at the Norwegian National Academy of Theatre and has since 2011 been a frequent performer in theatre, TV and film.
Former Norwegian Shooting Stars include Eili Harboe, Jakob Oftebro, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Ane Dahl Torp, Trond Espen Seim, Aksel Hennie, Maria Bonnevie, Kristoffer Joner, Gørild Mauseth og Anneke von der Lippe.
At the 2019 Berlinale Norway will also be in the spotlight as the Country in Focus in the European Film Market, providing a comprehensive look at Norwegian filmmakers and producers, offering a host of possibilities for networking with the Norwegian film industry.
About Sonja - The White Swan
Wilman’s new film,Sonja – The White Swan, will be domestically launched on 25 December prior to its international premiere in in the Premieres section of the American Sundance Film Festival, which takes place in Park City (and Salt Lake City, Ogden, the Sundance Ski Resort) in the state of Utah between 24 January-3 February, 2019.
Scripted by Mette M Bølstad, Andreas Markusson, and directed by Sewitsky, it is the true story of one of the world’s greatest athletes – the inventor of modern figure skating – who was a ten-time world, six-time European and three-time Olympic champion, before in 1936 she decided to to go to Hollywood and change her sports career to become a movie star.
One of the richest women of her time
She took the film world by storm – her first feature, US director Sidney Lanfield’s One in a Million, was nominated for an Oscar and broke box-office records by selling the most tickets in the world in 1937. Henie became one of the richest women of her time, always surrounded by fans, lovers and family – never alone.
She sacrificed everything to stay in the spotlight, and she refused to retire, although her popularity plummeted, and the contracts from the film companies failed, but she was eventually forced by a serious drinking problem. She moved back to Norway with her third husband and died there of leukemia in 1969, aged 57. - Synnøve Hørsdal and Cornelia Boysen produced for Oslo’s Maipo Film.
Louis & Luca - Mission to the Moon
Generation Kplus: Rasmus A. Sivertsen’s second film about Louis & Luca
Norwegian tech at EFM Horizon
Norwegian tech at EFM Horizon
Berlinale 2019: Smarter Production, or: How to economise and still optimise your film. EFM Horizon is looking to the future of the film, media and entertainment world and its cross-pollination with the growing tech and startup industries. The Norwegian film industry is always developing new methods and technology to enhance their film production. Coming to Berlin to present their new developments are the companies Drylab, Storyline, Gimpville and White Rabbit.
Mon, Feb. 11 | 10.00-12.30
BERLINER FREIHEIT
EFM Startups: White Rabbit
The European Film Market selects 10 leading tech entrepreneurs and introduces them to the film and media industry under the banner of EFM Horizon. One of them is Norwegian. The Norwegian company White Rabbit is professionalizing the worlds largest streaming market to collect data and revenue for rights holders. White Rabbit’s browser plug-in recognizes content streamed peer-to-peer and uses Blockchain to facilitate payment between fans and rights holders. In Berlin to present its vision and plans is founder, CEO and film producer Alan R. Milligan.
Presentations
Mon, Feb. 11 | 14.00-16.00
BERLINER FREIHEIT
Director Erik Poppe (Utøya - July 22, The King`s Choice) on stage with Wendy Mitchell discussing smarter production.
Moderated by Wendy Mitchell (Journalist and Film Festival Consultant), the event kicks off with an enlightening one-on-one with Norwegian filmmaker Erik Poppe - director of films like Utøya 22. juli (U - July 22, 2018 in the official Berlinale Competition programme) or Kongens nei (The King’s Choice, 2016), whose groundbreaking work with actors and multi-pronged story threads has earned him well-deserved acclaim and international recognition. Erik will talk about his experience as an early adapter of the presented evolving technologies for production.
Non-linear workflows – by Storyline
How to make a flexible post production workflow via all decisions made to an image is stored in a metadata container that lives “above” the actual footage and is never rendered into the image until the master. This format is possible to use within Edit, VFX and Grade. The metadata format is potentially established during principal photography and administered by the DIT (Digital Image Technician). This workflow has made us remove the term “Online” during post. We now use the term “Finishing” as we today can to more on the same hardware and to more in the same suite and Operator.
Drylab Dailies
Drylab started out to digitalise the Camera Report with an iOS app. This tool got adopted by the Script Supervisor that started a whole new approach on how to connect the Editor with the Script Supervisor. This has turned into a complete dailies distribution system. Drylab was the first to make this service available at a low price and has established a standard in Norwegian drama productions. The application is a tool for everyone involved in the creative and technical processes.
Gimpvilles Case-study
Gimpville is Norway’s largest VFX and animation studio and they have worked with companies both in the East and in the West. At Horizon they will present a case-study of Ella Bella Bingo.
Interview with Shooting Star Ine Marie Wilmann
Interview with Shooting Star Ine Marie Wilmann
Berlinale 2019: After playing some very troubled characters in her latest Norwegian films, actress Ine Marie Wilmann is ready to enter the international stage as this year`s EFP European Shooting Star from Norway.
In her newest film, Sonja - The White Swan (2018) with international premiere in Sundance, Wilmann depticts the rise and fall of Norwegian skating legend and Hollywood movie star Sonja Henie. She was a woman who was very used to success in everything she underwent and ended her career drunk, fallen on slushy ice in Rio de Janeiro. To play Henie, Ine Marie Wilmann had to learn how to figure skate on a high technical level.
In her previous film, Homesick (2015), Wilmann played the role of Charlotte who initiates an intimate relationship with her own brother whom she hasn’t met since they were very young.
- Every part I play must have its own approach, but many things are similar. I spend a lot of time thinking, analyzing and working my way into the core of the character. I need to understand it emotionally and find out what is important about the project, says Wilmann.
She feels she has quite good access to her emotions and is brave enough to share the vulnerable and ugly little creature she – as everybody else – has inside somewhere.
- I think we all feel a little less lonely on earth, knowing that someone else also is carrying what we try to conceal.
- An increasing number of Norwegian actors get parts in big international productions. Why do you think this happens?
- In Norway, for starters most actors have a very good education. And I believe all the training in the craftsmanship of being an actor makes thorough actors that can stretch themselves in many directions. I have heard American agents say that we are “in it for the craft”, which gives us a depth and seriousness which is more needed than the quest for fame, says Shooting Star Ine Marie Wilmann.
We want Diversity
We want Diversity
Berlinale 2019: While populations are becoming increasingly diverse in many ways, the film industry has yet to follow thoroughly up on this and let it be reflected both in front of the camera and behind the camera. But things are starting to change.
Seminar Fri, Feb. 8 | 14.30-16.00
NORWAY HOUSE
Relevance – Audience – Sustainability
The Norwegian Film Institute`s newly unveiled Diversity Action Plan aims at bringing about a more inclusive Norwegian entertainment sector as well as harnessing the country’s diversity.
Inclusive Europe – Diversity Success Stories
Featuring case studies from production, distribution, international film sales and television as well as the Norwegian Film Institute, this panel will explore successful, effective strategies from a variety of European countries. The strategies in focus all illustrate the strong business case for businesses, corporations, broadcasters and policymakers in the entertainment sector to identify, include, promote and cater for the needs of diverse talent, content, professionals and audiences alongside mainstream and international viewers.
The Panelists are
- Naomi Sesay – On Screen Diversity Executive – Channel 4, UK
- Maria Ekerhovd – Mer Film, Norway, producer of What Will People Say by Iram Haq
- Anaïs Clanet – Wide House, France, world sales company
The discussion will be moderated by Nedin Mutic from the Norwegian Film Institute.
Organized in collaboration with Norwegian Film Institute, European Film Promotion and European Film Market.
The Wayward Girl
Berlinale Classics: Liv Ullmanns first leading role
Where ancient storytelling traditions meet high end VFX
Norway – where ancient storytelling traditions meets high end VFX
Berlinale 2019: Our ancestors the Vikings were good storytellers – and their stories have survived because they had the ability to fire the imagination of the listeners and remain in their hearts and minds.
We like to think that this way of telling stories has persisted through the centuries: moving stories, strong characters, memorable lines and striking sceneries. When you add this to excellent actors who are very dedicated to their craft, internationally skilled directors, crews that are used to working efficiently and advanced under harsh conditions, and later, during editing, special effects that are world class – you have a typical Norwegian audiovisual production.
The social and economic need for the newest technology, in addition to a strong economy, has turned Norway into one of the most technologically adaptive countries in the world. This is something film productions taking place in Norway also benefit from; excellent infrastructure, skilled personnel and efficient governmental support schemes.
Norwegian films and drama series have made their name domestically with a market share of 25,2% - and internationally with participation in competition in Berlin and Cannes, Oscar nominations, awards at IDFA and EMMY, highly rated films and series in streaming services as Netflix and HBO and a steady flow of Norwegian directors and actors being asked to direct or act in high budget international productions.
At the same time, we have been able to maintain a true Norwegian way of telling stories, reflecting both who we used to be, who we are and who we want to be, giving Norwegian stories the ability to still move, disturb, thrill and last but not least surprise. This is what we would like to share with the world when we have the honour of being Country in Focus at European Film Market in Berlin.
Norway offers
• A film and TV-industry ready to co-produce, both domestically and internationally
• Highly skilled and efficient film crews used to utilize the latest technology available
• Incentive schemes and support schemes for co-production
• Stunning nature
• Friendly and cooperative people
We welcome you to Norway House, across from European Film Market, to meet representatives from the Norwegian Film Institute, filmmakers, service providers, film commissioners and everyone else who will be there to see what kind of collaborations we might arrange with you.
See you at Norway House!
Sindre Guldvog
CEO, Norwegian Film Institute
Dad
Generation Kplus: Animated short
Norwegian Series at Drama Series Days
Norwegian Series at Drama Series Days
Berlinale 2019: Norwegian Drama Series and the Norwegian Film Institute will be visible during the Drama Series Days at Zoo Palast Tuesday, February 12.
- 10.00-12.30: Co-Pro Series Pitch, Cinema 2, Zoo Palast.
- 12.30-14.00: Co-Pro Series Networking Get-Together, Super Concept Space, Bikini center.
- 17.30-18.15: Norwegian Drama – Staying Ahead of the Game. Meet four brand new drama series and the people behind them. Cinema 4, Zoo Palast.
- 18.15-19.30: ‘Bubble with the Norwegians’. Berlinale Series Lounge.
Showcase
Tue, Feb. 12 | 17.30-18.15 (18.30)
ZOO PALAST 4
Over the last years Norwegian Drama Series have won international awards, and there is an ongoing line up to watch out for. Beyond Nordic Noir, Norwegian creators have managed to diversify their content in ways that engage large audiences. We take a closer look at four innovative and trendsetting Norwegian projects with a distinctive stamp.
All four projects have been participating in NFIs talentprogram New Ways Norway (Nye veier).
CLONE The year is 2041. A small spaceship is returning to Earth, carrying some samples from Mars. Fredrik and Eva, a married couple, are the only passengers on board. Early on, Fredrik finds out he is infected by a foreign virus and is not allowed to return home. In desperation, he clones himself in the ship’s 3D printer, and from that moment on an intense and awkward three-way drama plays out between Eva, Fredrik and his clone.
Clone is a funny exploration of an unraveling marriage and two people and one clone's existential identity crises.
Clone is also pitching at CoPro Series.
LowFI, SciFi Sitcom | 10x20 minutes
Creator Ole Giæver
Screenplay Ole Giæver
Producer Maria Ekerhovd for Mer Film
Delivery date TBA
Status In development
HAND MADE is about Elin (40), who owns and runs a fertility clinic with her exhusband, CC, whom she divorced because he didn’t want to have children. At the clinic they work side by side, with a variety of fertility challenges, and the hopes and despair of their patients. Meanwhile, Elin and her new husband, Bjørn, struggle to become parents...
Fertility Drama | 8x45 minutes
Creator Kathrine Valen Zeiner
Conceptual director Cecilie Mosli
Screenplay Kathrine Valen Zeiner
Producers Nina B. A. Figenschow & Ingunn Sundelin for Tordenfilm
Delivery date TBA
Status In development
DATES IN REAL LIFE When Ida, 22 and unkissed, is dumped by her online boyfriend, her journey to find a partner in the real world begins. Ida has lived her entire social life through screens. Her internet boyfriend Marvin lives in Arizona, and they have never met face to face. When Marvin breaks up because he has started dating IRL, ”in real life,” Ida chooses to create a profile on a dating app. On her journey through a new ”appified” dating culture, we follow Ida’s many attempts to find a partner – and herself.
VR Dramedy | 10x30 minutes
Creator Jakob Rørvik
Screenplay Jakob Rørvik
Producers Synnøve Hørsdal & Ales Ree for Maipo Film
Delivery date TBD
Status In development
VERDEN ER MIN (The World is Mine, preliminary title) Verden er min is a rapsical following Seinabo, 27, as she tries to rebuild herself after a devastating break up. Set in the epicenter of the Norwegian rap scene, Bergen, Seinabo finds the courage to pursue her dream of becoming a rapper. Sinabo is at heart a true poet. The raplyrics reflects her inner thoughts and becomes the dramatic silver lining of the project.
Look out for a rapsical surprise in Berlin!
Rapsical | TBA
Creator Amy Black Ndiaye
Screenplay Amy Black Ndiaye
Producers Teréz Hollo-Klausen for Monday Scripted
Delivery date TBA
Status In development
Pitching at CoPro Series Pitch
Tue, Feb. 12 | 10.00-13.00
ZOO PALAST 2
HACKER One night, Norway is at a standstill. Emergency network, power supplies, and governmental servers are down for a whole hour.
At an office in Oslo, IT-Engineer Theo walks, carrying a hidden hard-drive. Stressed, he nearly runs down a bike courier and asks the courier to deliver his package to a specific man. The courier sees his despair and accepts.
The bike courier is Mia, a 34-year-old Norwegian ex-Climbing Champion who dropped out of University after she lost her fiancé in the Government Quarter terror attack in Oslo, 2011. Now she is trying to get her life back together. The addressee doesn’t want to receive the package. We learn that he is ‘Zero’, one of Norway’s greatest hackers, now dedicated to being a teacher. The mysterious package brings them together, and pulls Mia into a conspiracy, that will be her worst nightmare. What no one expects is that Mia, who initially would have liked to see the terrorist stopped the July 22nd, 2011, over the course of Hacker will become the system’s worst enemy.
Privacy is one of those things you don’t notice – until it is gone. HACKER is a conspiracy thriller that touches on how we use social media and digital tools to make life easier. We trust and give away information, however in the wrong hands it can be misused.
Thriller | 8x45 minutes
Creator Andres J. Riiser
Conceptual director Andres J. Riiser
Screenplay Andreas J. Riiser
Producers Yngve Sæther & Hans-Jørgen Osnes for Motlys
Delivery date 2021/22
Status In development
CLONE The year is 2041. A small spaceship is returning to Earth, carrying some samples from Mars. Fredrik and Eva, a married couple, are the only passengers on board. Early on, Fredrik finds out he is infected by a foreign virus and is not allowed to return home. In desperation, he clones himself in the ship’s 3D printer, and from that moment on an intense and awkward three-way drama plays out between Eva, Fredrik and his clone.
Clone is a funny exploration of an unraveling marriage and two people and one clone's existential identity crises.
LowFI, SciFi Sitcom | 10x20 minutes
Creator Ole Giæver
Screenplay Ole Giæver
Producer Maria Ekerhovd for Mer Film
Delivery date TBA
Status In development
Docs from Norway
Docs from Norway
Berlinale 2019: Norway is experiencing a new dawn for documentary production, and the quality of Norwegian docs has risen far beyond our local market. During this event six amazing docs in development or production will be presented for a panel of decision makers and an audience.
Presentation
Wed, Feb. 13 | 09.00-12.00
NORWAY HOUSE
During the last five years, we have seen an exponential growth, resulting in sales to all territories and numerous international awards, including top prizes at IDFA and HotDocs. These are the new documentaries that will be presented in Berlin:
Diagnonsense
A self-reflexive meta-documentary, Diagnonsense begins with filmmaker Ane-Martha Tamnes Hansgard who was diagnosed with multiple mental disorders over a fifteen-year period, and prescribed a staggering number of psychotropic medications.
Ten years ago, she embarked on the first of many attempts to make a film about living with a mental disorder, but each effort was cut short due to new diagnoses, new medications, and new side effects. Now, having weaned herself off the drugs, and obtaining a critical distance from her diagnoses, she is ready to tell her story and to challenge the very need for psychological labeling.
Director Ane-Martha Tamnes Hansgård
Screenplay Ane-Martha Tamnes Hansgård
Producer Andrew Grant and Øyvind Gregersen for Mattima Films
Sound of Ice
What is the sound of ice? And what is it trying to tell us? Musician Terje Isungset, travels the world looking for the answer. Crafting his instruments purely from ice, Terje´s sound is decided by nature. Just like mankind´s survival.
Director Tommy Gulliksen
Screenplay Tommy Gulliksen and Anne Marte Blindheim
Producers Benedikte Danielsen & Eirin O. Høgetveit for Norsk Fjernsyn AS
Oh, it Hertz!
Laurie Amat is a musician on a mission: To reveal how we all are manipulated by sound. What she didn't know was that Nazis were involved. There is a myth that the Nazis during the war pushed through a new standard for tuning musical instruments. They changed it`s Hertz level, because they believed it would be easier to manipulate people. This is the music we still listen to today.
To unveil the myth we will meet passionate characters showing how sound affects us. Amat will lead the way with memories, humour and anecdotes. Why do certain sounds mean so much to us? And what is the very last sound you want to hear in your life?
Director Gunnar Hall Jensen
Screenplay Gunnar Hall Jensen, Kristian Stangebye and Elin Sander
Producers Christian Falch & Torstein Parelius for UpNorth Film
Unforgivable
By accident journalist Lena-Christin Kalle discovers that thousands of Norwegian women and girls were imprisoned in camps all over Norway after WW2 for their love affairs with German soldiers. She starts digging into the story and discovers that all of the documents on how the authorities treated these women are classified by the Norwegian National Archives.
Unforgivable is a journalistic thriller following Lena through her investigation to access the secret archives. Through interviews with witnesses and helpers along the way, a horrible story about systematic abuse and misdeeds is revealed.
Director Lena-Christin Kalle
Screenplay Lena-Christin Kalle and Elisabeth Kleppe
Producer Elisabeth Kleppe for Aldeles AS
The Painter and the Thief
When two paintings are stolen from artist Barbora Kysilkova, the police catch the thieves after a few days. But the paintings are not found. Barbora attends the court hoping for clues, but instead she ends up asking the thief, drug-addict Karl-Bertil Nordland, if she can paint him. From this point on an unlikely friendship and a surprising story evolves - the story of an artist searching for her stolen paintings, and at the same time slowly turning the thief into art.
The documentary is filmed over the course of three years, following the friendship and a story which takes unexpected twists and turnes on it's way.
Director Benjamin Ree
Screenplay Benjamin Ree
Producer Ingvil Giske for Medieoperatørene AS
Piraya 2013-6
Due to the security of the film’s participants we cannot reveal much about the film at this time. However,we look forward to showing you the full trailer, and tell you all about our film at the event.
Director Ola Waagen
Screenplay Bjarte Mørner Tveit, Torstein Grude and Ola Waagen
Producers Bjarte Mørner Tveit and Torstein Grude for Piraya Film
New and Upcoming Filmmakers
Project Presentation – New and Upcoming Filmmakers
Berlinale 2019: Norway has some fantastic up and coming filmmakers working within different formats and expressions. Meet seven of them in Berlin.
Presentation Sat, Feb. 9 | 16.00-18.00
NORWAY HOUSE
UP is talent programme for some of the most talented female directors and producers coming out of Norway. During this event we invite you to join us for the presentation of seven outstanding new projects in development, all of them with cross border potential and well suited for international co-operation.
These are the projects you will hear more about:
FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS (Doc) As a young woman Edel leaves her home village, secluded in the fjord lands of Norway, to become an artist in Berlin. Thirty years later she returns as Abbess Thavoria, the highest ranked nun within the Greek Orthodox Church. Together with a group of appointed sisters, she has been sent on a mission by her spiritual father to build a magnificent monastery on legendary Mount Sylte, 400 vertical meters above the fjord.
Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen
Screenplay Silje Evensmo Jacobsen
Producers Linn Th. Amundsen and Kari Wåle for Zacapa Film AS
NUDES (Drama series)
NUDES is a teen drama about 3 teenagers from different parts of Norway who get nudes spread through social media. Sofia (16) and Axel have sex at a party. The next day a film of them is sent around school. She and her friends go on a pursuit of finding out who filmed. Ida (14) meets a guy on Tinder. Then she’s contacted by Jan, who tells her that a nude of her is posted on a forum. He can help her, but he needs something in return. Viktor (18) is accused of child pornography because of a film he posted. He tries to get Miriam to drop the charges, but his actions have huge consequences.
Directors Erika Calmeyer and Liv Joelle Barbosa Blad
Screenplay Erika Calmeyer, Liv Joelle Barbosa Blad and Jørgen Flasnes Færøy
Producers Nina M. Barbosa Blad and Melike Leblebicioğlu for NRK P3
Format: 9 x 18-20 minutes
NEW PITCH:
TOO DO GOOD
A somber mosaic of life in Norway, the film TO DO GOOD presents five stories with a common theme namely “the act of doing good”. What happens when the intentions are good, but they fall short when tested by real-life situations? The film looks at the contradictions of Scandinavian life and identity with conflicting perspectives, surprising twists, unexplained actions, and ambiguous endings.
Director: Ellen Ugelstad
Screenplay: Einar Sverdrup and Ellen Ugelstad
Producer: Elisabeth Kvithyll
Production Company: Nordisk Film
Delivery Date: 2021
Duration: 115min
NO MAN LAND Gunn, Sara and Marie are three single women stuck in a small Norwegian village where there are no eligible men left, until one day three handsome policemen arrive. The women cook up the perfect plan to get their attention; break the law and get caught.
Director Ingrid Stenersen
Screenplay Ingrid Stenersen
Producers Nicholas Sando and Stein Berge Svendsen for Smallville Films AS
EBBA & THE LOVER 17-year-old EBBA has low self-esteem, and has dropped out of high school. She spends her days working in Oslo harbour. She feels alone and dreams of love. One night, as she's finishing up in the empty harbour, she finds a man who’s disoriented and has hit his head badly. He seems to be Eastern-European, and Ebba finds him incredibly beautiful. She discovers that he has lost his memories – he doesn’t know where he is or even who he is. Impulsively, Ebba decides to take advantage of the situation and lies to the man, telling him that she’s his girlfriend, and that they’re very much in love.
Director Johanna Pyykkö
Screenplay Johanna Pyykkö and Jørgen Færøy
Producers Verona Maier and Ruben Thorkildsen for Ape&Bjørn
WONDERBOY Journalist Camilla gets deceived into visiting young Waleed in a federal prison in Los Angeles, only to find he wants her to write his biography: The true story of how he managed to rise from being an immigrant looser to become «Norway’s next Mark Zuckerberg». About his friendship with ministers, Kofi Annan and the Norwegian royal family. About the milliondollar fortune and how Camilla ruined his life. And how he eventually got caught by the FBI at the tender age of 21 and sentenced to 11 years in prison. But truth is relative to a man who built his life on lies. Wonderboy is based on a true story.
Director Johan Kaos
Screenplay Johan Kaos
Producer Elisabeth Kvithyll for Nordisk Film Production AS
Norwegian project for pitch at the Co-Production Market
@CHICA_CHILE_NORWAY is a fun drama about fifteen-year-old Mariana, who grows up in a multicultural suburb on Oslo’s east side. Like most teenagers she wants to do good in school, be popular and get herself a boyfriend. But life in the suburbs is tough, and girls have to fight for their right to be themselves. And when Mariana’s older brother joins a dangerous military operation in Afghanistan, her family starts to come undone.
The film will be a fun and warm depiction of independence, individuation and emerging sexuality. About standing up for one’s own choices. It is based on Maria Navarro Skaranger’s debut novel Alle utlendinger har lukka gardiner (2015), written in a bubbly and poetic multiethnolect.
Director Ingvild Søderlind
Screenplay Hilde Susan Jægtnes
Producer Cecilie Aspenes for Miso Film Norge
She-Pack
Generation Kplus: A coming of age short
Meet the Censors: How can we handle controversial content?
Discussion: Meet the Censors: How can we handle controversial content?
Berlinale 2019: Every day, broadcasters are dealing with documentaries that confront our preconceived conceptions of the world. Many of these films are screened, but some are not. Others end up never being made. What are the obstacles that keep controversial content away from our screens?
Sun, Feb. 10 | 10.30-12.00
NORWAY HOUSE
Is it self-censorship within the channels, or bad filmmaking? Is fact checking too expensive and time consuming, or are simply the audiences turning away from challenging content?
How can filmmakers collaborate better with the broadcasters in order to provide challenging and important films? We watch clips from upcoming documentary Meet the Censors by Håvard Fossum and engage in a conversation with commissioning editor Norbert Hahn (Die Story- WDR) and commissioning editor, renowned journalist and documentary filmmaker Odd Isungset.
The Norwegian Berlinale Talents
The Norwegian Berlinale Talents
Berlinale 2019: Berlinale Talents is the annual summit and networking platform of the Berlin International Film Festival for outstanding creatives from the fields of film and drama. Norway has seven participants. Read about them here.
Mathis Ståle Mathisen
A producer with a focus in film from the Artict and Sami stories, having previously produced both feature films, drama series, documentaries and shorts.
Sofia Haugan
Educated as a director, Haugan had her cinematic debut with the documentary My Heart Belongs to Daddy, which won the audience award at Nordic/Docs and received National Film Award Amanda for Best Documentary.
Hildegunn Wærness
Wærness has a background as a journalist and photographer and studied film in Stockholm and Buenos Aires. She wrote and directed ”Supernerd”, a documentary about cosplayers in Norway, and created and directed the documentary series The Fjord Cowboys. She has directed several ITV-productions, including National Geographic’s Ice Road Rescue.
Fredrik Scholze
Scholze works with marketing arthouse films in the distribution company Arthaus in Oslo where the saying is: We live in a time where old ideas must dissolve and creativity blossom.
Elisa Pirir
Pirir produced her first feature in Norway, Dive, at 23. Her graduation film from the National Film School of Norway was a nominee of the 43th Academy Student Awards. Elisa works for Mer Film AS.
Emilija Skarnulyte
A nomadic visual artist and filmmaker based in Tromsø, Norway. Between the fictive and documentary, she works primarily with deep time, from the cosmic and geologic to the ecological and political.
Beathe Hofseth
A documentary filmmaker graduated from Volda University College and NISS in Oslo. She has worked in film and television since 2002, and has directed and produced several documentaries, among them Light Fly, Fly High which received National Film Award Amanda for Best Documentary, Gullruten for best cinemathography and Oxfam Global Justice Award at IDFA.
Artificial Intelligence - The Unknown Revolution
Discussion: Artificial Intelligence - The Unknown Revolution
Berlinale 2019: This event will bring together experts on Artificial Intelligence as well as Tonje Hessen Schei, director of the documentary iHUMAN.
Discussion
Sat, Feb. 9 | 13.00-14.30
NORWAY HOUSE
The documentary iHUMAN dives into the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence and explores the current and future impact of AI that many in the field view as one of the, if not the most, dis ruptive and farreaching technology in the history of mankind.
This film investigates the dilemmas experts face as they drive this technology forward, and foreshadows the implications for society. Without regulation, legis lation and governance frameworks based on crucial ethical standards we run the risk of losing our grip on this everevolving technology, thus removing human intelligence from the equation. Although skepticism is more than valid, it is our goal to explore how humanity can maximize the benefits of Artificial Intelligence, while containing its negative impact.
This event will bring together the following experts on Artificial Intelligence
- Paul Nemitz, Principal Adviser in the European Commission & Member of the Data Ethics Commission appointed by the German Government.
- Guido Brinkel, Head of Regulatory Policy, Microsoft
- Leil Zahra, Tactical Technology Collective
- Tonje Hessen Schei, director of the documentary iHUMAN.
Moderated by Danielle Turkov Wilson, Think Impact Film Production
False Belief
Forum Expanded
Books made for film and Books at Berlinale
Books made for film and Books at Berlinale
Berlinale 2019: On Monday 11 February, two events cover the adaptation from books to the screen. NORLA invites literary agents to present books made for film to producers at Norway House, and Berlinale and Frankfurter Buchmesse organise “Books at Berlinale” – an event where 12 books are presented to producers. One of the chosen books is Simon Stranger’s Keep Saying Their Names. Additionally, at Books at Berlinale, Norway will present itself as Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2019.
Books made for film
Mon, Feb. 11 | 10.00-12.00
NORWAY HOUSE
NORLA, in cooperation with Books at Berlinale, invites German producers to meet Norwegian literary agents and Norwegian producers to meet German publishers and agents.
Norway is Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2019. Norway’s programme and presence as Country in Focus is supported through the Guest of Honour project and its organisers NORLA, Norwegian Literature Abroad.
Together with Books at Berlinale (Frankfurter Buchmesse and Berlinale) we are hosting an event in Norway House where Norwegian literary agents will present Norwegian books that should be adapted to the screens and where German publishers and agents will meet Norwegian producers to present German books that should be adapted.
Books at Berlinale
Mon, Feb. 11 | 10.00-18.00 (15.00-17.30)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Books at Berlinale is a collaboration between Berlinale and Frankfurter Buchmesse 2019. This year, Simon Stranger’s book Keep Saying Their Names is one of the 12 chosen books and Norway will present itself as Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2019.
On February 11, at “Books at Berlinale”, producers can discover twelve impressive literary works that could be turned into films. The selected books will be showcased at this popular presentation, which has been a part of the Berlinale Co-Production Market since 2006.
At Books at Berlinale this year, Norway will present itself as we are Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2019.
The over 160 submissions received from more than 30 countries this year represent a new record number of applications. We are proud to announce that the Norwegian book Keep Saying Their Names by Simon Stranger are one of the chosen books that will be pitched at Books at Berlinale this year. The book will be showcased by his agent in Oslo Literary Agency. All chosen books can be found here.
About Norway as Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse
In 2019, Norway is Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse. As Guest of Honour Norway will organise an extensive literary and cultural programme throughout 2019. Both in the German speaking area as well as internationally and in Norway. The project culminates at the Frankfurter Buchmesse in October 2019.
Norway as Country in Focus at EFM at the Berlinale is supported through the Guest of Honour project and the Norwegian programme is part of the cultural programme as Guest of Honour.
The motto for Norway as Guest of Honour is ‘The Dream We Carry’. It derives from a poem by Olav H. Hauge. It expresses the wish we have that Norwegian literature and arts will open doors to and hearts of an international audience.
Norway as Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse is Norway’s largest cultural export project ever. Norwegian literature abroad, NORLA, is organising the project on behalf of the Norwegian Government.
For information about Norway as Guest of Honour and our events throughout the year, please visit the project’s website: www.norway2019.com
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Dag Asbjørnsen
- Head of Section International Relations
- Phone: +47 402 22 151
- E-mail: dag.asbjornsen[@]nfi.no
Stine Oppegaard
- Manager International Relations Feature Films
- Phone: +47 908 59 638
- E-mail: stine.oppegaard[@]nfi.no
Toril Simonsen
- Manager International relations Short and Documentary Films
- Phone: +47 900 38 086
- E-mail: toril.simonsen[@]nfi.no
Jakob Berg
- Communication Adviser
- Phone: +47 22 47 45 91
- Mobile: +47 971 977 66
- E-mail: jakob.berg[@]nfi.no
Knut Tofastrud Skinnarmo
- International Festival Adviser
- Phone: +47 900 27 365
- E-mail: knut.skinnarmo[@]nfi.no
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Norway is the Country in Focus at the European Film Market (EFM) at the International Film Festival in Berlin 2019 Feb. 8th-13th.
Norway in Focus is organized by the Norwegian Film Institute in cooperation with the EFM, and will offer a host of possibilities for networking with Norwegian producers, distributors, investors, and creative talents, as well as the chance to take a closer look at Norwegian productions.
Norway House
Norway is the first Country in Focus to build a separate house for its festival scene, just across the street from the European Film Market – it will accommodate representatives of the Norwegian Film Institute, the Filmreg organisation, the country’s film commissions, Sørfond and Norwegian Film & TV Producers’ Association and gives the opportunity to meet suppliers of goods and services for the international film industry.
Norway House is located in Niederkircherstrasse, right next to the Mirror Tent and across the road from the European Film Market in Gropius Bau.
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What
Time
Venue
Entry
The Norwegian minister of Culture officially opens Norway House
11.30
Norway House
Open
13.30-18.00
Norway House
Open
Gender, Genre & Big Budget. Press conference. Hollywood producer Gale Anne Hurd introduces WIFT seminar.
13.30
Norway House
Open for press
NFIs Diversity Action Plan; Panel: Inclusive Europe - Diversity Success Stories
14.30-16.00
Norway House
Open
Nations without Borders. Indigenous people produce films worldwide.
16.30-18.00
Norway House
Open
International Sami Film Institute invites friends from around the world to a reception.
18.00-19.00
Norway House
Invitation
18.00-19.00
Producers Hub, Mgb
Open with market badge
PATHFINDER LIVE and Reception hosted by NORTH
20.00-late
Babylon Cinema, Mitte
Invitation
What
Time
Venue
Entry
Meet the Norwegians – Producers, Film institutes, Film funds, Regional centers, Film commissions, and companies delivering services to production, post-production and exhibitors; all with stands in Norway House
10.00-18.00
Norway House
Open
Gender, genre and big budget. How to get ahead in the commercial film industry. Seminar in cooperation with WIFT/WIFI
10.00-13.00
Meistersaal
Invitation
Film production and Creative Industries funding: finding the optimal business approach.
11:00-12:00
Norway House
Open
Norwegian Presentation of 10 Producers and Lunch at Co-Production Market
13.00-14.30
House Of Representatives
For copro market badge holders
13.00-14.30
Norway House
Open
Country Presentation – funding opportunities in Norway
15.45-16.45
House Of Representatives
For copro market badge holders
Stories from Norway. Pitches from talented filmmakers that are part of the UP Programme.
16.00-18.00
Norway House
Open
The Norwegian Film Institute’s Happy Hour
18.00-19.00
Norway House
Invitation
Norwegian Party, hosted by the Norwegian Film Institute, incl a miniconsert with an internationally known Norwegian artist.
21.30-late
Clärchen’s Ballhaus
By separate invitation only
What
Time
Venue
Entry
Meet the Norwegians – producers, Film institutes, Film funds, Regional centers, Film commissions, and companies delivering services to production, post-production and exhibitors; all with stands in the Norway House
10.00-18.00
Norway House
Open
10.30-12.00
Norway House
Open
Norwegian blockbuster movies Børning 1 & 2 will have a sequel, shooting in Germany begins this spring. Meet the people behind the successful films, and new cars from Børning 3
13.00-14.30
Norway Hose
Open
Work-In-Progress. Norwegian producers and directors present teasers and promos from upcoming feature films; take a look into the future of Norwegian film!
15.00-16.30
Norway House
Open
Happy hour: Meet the regions: The ten regional film centres and funds develop and strengthen film industries throughout Norway, and they host this Happy Hour
18.00-19.00
Norway House
Invitation
Efm Party, Hosted By Norway – Country in Focus. Industry gathering, food, drinks, dance, incl concert by Norwegian band Gurls
21.30-late
EWERK
By separate invitation only
What
Time
Venue
Entry
Meet the Norwegians – producers, Film institutes, Film funds, Regional centers, Film commissions, and companies delivering services to production, post-production and exhibitors; all with stands in the Norway House
10.00-18.00
Norway House
Open
Books made for film. Norwegian literary agents meet German producers and Norwegian producers meet German publishers/ agents. In cooperation with Books at Berlinale.
10.00-1200
Norway House
Invitation
Lillehammer Stories. In the recent years filmmakers in Lillehammer and its regional surroundings has produced a number of successful films and TV productions. We invite you to get to know this interesting film region of cold hearts and warm stories and meet decision makers.
12.30-15.30
Norway House
Open
10.00-18.00
House of representatives
For market badge holders
Funds meeting. Meet representatives from the NFI
14.00-18.15
House of representatives
Invitation
15.00-17.30
For market badge holders
Speeddate a Nordic Composer. Each director/producer gets 9 minutes to meet each composer, then move on to the next meeting. Meet and greet afterwards.
16.00-18.00
Norway House
Open
Happy Hour with the Nordic composers and friends
18.00-19.00
Norway House
Invitation
Drama Series Days Opening Reception, hosted by Norwegian Film Institute
19.00-21.00
Bikinihaus, Restaurant Super Concept Space
For market badge holders
What
Time
Venue
Entry
Meet the Norwegians – producers, Film institutes, Film funds, Regional centers, Film commissions, and companies delivering services to production, post-production and exhibitors; all with stands in the Norway House
10.00-18.00
Norway House
Open
Less is More: A New Generation of Screenwriting Workshops in Europe. New frame, new methodology, new perspectives: how to stimulate creativity in the writing process and have films reaching their audience?
10.30-12.00
Norway House
Open
CoPro Series Pitch 10.00-12.30 Zoo Palast 2 Open with market badge CoPro Series
Networking get-together hosted by Norway12.30-14.00
Bikinihause, Restaurant Super Concept Space
Invitation
Work-In-Progress. Norwegian producers and directors present teasers and promos from upcoming feature films; take a look into the future of Norwegian film!
13.30-15.30
Norway House
Open
Born 2 Drive Oliver Solberg has fast-driving cars in his blood and genes. Meet him and his famous father, World Rallycross and World Rally champion Petter Solberg, and see excerpts from the new documentary.
16.00-17.00
Norway House
Open
Born 2 Drive Reception
17.00-19.00
Norway House
Invitation
17.30-18.15
Zoo Palast
Open
Bubbles with the Norwegians
18.15-19.30
Berlinale Series Lounge
Invitation
Bridging the Dragon Networking Reception hosted by the Norwegian film Institute
18.00-21.00
Josty, Sony Centre
Invitation
20.00-21.30
Norway House
Invitation
What
Time
Venue
Entry
9.00-12.00
Norway House
Open
Meet the Norwegians – producers, Film institutes, Film funds, Regional centers, Film commissions, and companies delivering services to production, post-production and exhibitors; all with stands in the Norway House
10.00-13.00
Norway House
Open
Doc Lunch, hosted by The Norwegian Film Institute
12.30-14.30
Mirror Restaurant
By separate invitation
“Norway in Focus” is organized by the Norwegian Film Institute in cooperation with the EFM, and will offer a host of possibilities for networking with Norwegian producers, distributors, investors, and creative talents, as well as the chance to take a closer look at Norwegian productions.