Sørfond grants for 2023 announced

Sørfond announces nine new projects to recieve production support in the first application round after a strenghtening of the Sørfond budget from 3 million NOK to 5 million NOK. 

This year, the jury selected nine projects to receive support from Sørfond: two documentaries, and seven fiction projects. The total amount of support is 4.975.000 NOK (approx. €430 000). 

The fund received 47 applications for this year’s deadline, applying for a total of 36 million NOK € 3.12 million).

Sørfond was established to promote production of films in countries where film production is limited for political, social, or economic reasons. Sørfond grants top financing for co-production of fiction and documentary films where the main producer is located in a DAC Country. Sørfond is funded under the multilateral affairs department of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is administered by the Norwegian Film Institute in cooperation with the Films from the South festival (Oslo Festival Agency). Since its inception in 2011, Sørfond has provided support for 87 productions, including this year’s announcements. 

More information on Sørfond 
More information on Sørfond supported productions

Jury members from Kenya, France and Norway 

This year’s Sørfond jury members are:
Wanuri Kahiu, filmmaker (Kenya)
Sophie Bourdon, film consultant (France)
Leiv Igor Devold, director, associate professor at NTNU and head of Norwegian Guild of Directors
Per Eirik Gilsvik, formerly in charge of Sørfond at the Oslo Festival Agency, currently at the Nobel Peace Center.

Sørfond Jury Statement 2023

«The jury has had the honourable and exciting task of reading and evaluating the projects for this year’s round of grants from Sørfond. The projects have taken us on a journey to all corners of the world, introducing us to both contemporary stories and fresh takes on historic events.

The quality of these compelling and socially relevant projects, from both talented debutants as well as more established names of global cinema, truly impressed the jury, and the task of reaching our final selection was a challenging one. However, a decision had to be made and we are proud to present the nine projects that will receive a Sørfond grant in this round.

Our final selection includes two documentary and seven fiction films. Four of the projects granted support will mark the debut feature film of the respective filmmakers. We are happy to be able to assist these filmmakers in pursuing their visions, and with a grant from Sørfond, we hope to contribute to these stories reaching a wide audience.

This year, the annual budget of Sørfond has been increased from 3.000.000 NOK to 5.000.000 NOK. As a jury, it is a great privilege and joy to be able to increase the number of projects supported by the fund this year».

Supported projects Sørfond 2023

The Camera Never Cries  

Country: Sudan
Genre: Documentary
Director: Abuzar Osman Suliman ADAM and Elsadig Mohamed Ahmed Abdulgayoum
Norwegian co-producer: Arne Dahr and Finn McAlinden, Lightsource Film Productions
Producer: Alyaa Sirelkhatim Musa, Black Balance Artistic Production
Support:  475.000 NOK (€ 40.930)

Synopsis

For the last three years, Elsadig and Abuzar have been trying to make a film about the Sudanese revolution. The journey of this project starts when they realize that they accidentally filmed each other during the bloody morning of the massacre of Khartoum in June 2019. They continue filming their stark reality, inevitably becoming each other’s protagonists.

Jury statement 

The Camera Never Cries takes us to the centre of a revolution fought by so many Sudanese and galvanised by the youth of the country. It is a candid experience of the chaos, loss, confusion and pain of a young and hopeful country – as told by two front-line journalists and debut documentary directors. Through it we follow the filmmakers in a search for truth, understanding – and a way forward for themselves and their country.

My Father's Scent

Country: Egypt
Genre: Fiction
Director: Mohamed Siam
Norwegian co-producer: Linda Bolstad Strønen, Marie Fuglestein Lægreid, and Ingrid Lill Høgtun, DUOfilm
Producer: Mohamed Siam, ArtKhana
Support:  600.000 NOK (€51.700)

Synopsis

A father-son story where both discover many secrets about the other while they try to settle their scores during a heated battle and one long night stroll.

Jury statement 

The jury was drawn into the story-world of My Father´s Scent by an intense mystery driven father-son conflict, with strong characters and poignant dialogues. The script is driven by unsaid words that leaves it with room for poetry. The documentary background of the director, the well developed project and the director's personal angel - gives us hopes that the film will let us in on an underground Alexandria we are eager to see depicted on the silver screen. We believe it will be a film where the director's devotion to detail and truth will leave the audience captivated by the depths of a contradictory father-son relationship and that the film will let us reveal some secrets and lies of a modern-day Egyptian family.

Guria 

Country: Georgia
Genre: Fiction
Director: Levan Koguashvili
Norwegian co-producer: Elisa Fernanda Pirir, Stær
Producer: Olena Yershova, Kino Iberica
Support:  500.000 NOK ( € 43.000)

Synopsis 

Guria 1992: When Zuriko, a young widower, can no longer sell his hazelnuts, debt collectors are closing in on him. He also has problems with his son and lacks a wife. So he courts the singing teacher Maya. But to win her over, he has to buy a new bed first, his ex-mother-in-law warns him. Meanwhile, policemen steal trolley bus cables, injured crooks are operated on with the help of electricity from a car battery, pest controllers fog up areas and girls have to milk cows to become beauty queens. That's life in Guria!

Jury statement 

Guria is an astute dramedy about everyday life in a village in western Georgia. This poignant yet humorous slice of life brims with charming, loveable characters – fighting against all odds to live a proud and joyful life. Guria champions ingenuity, kindness and the eternal search for love despite a raging civil war. Though set after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is a timely reminder of how shared humanity and compassion are the truest measure of our capacity to survive.

Sam

Country: Philippines
Genre: Fiction
Director: E del Mundo
Norwegian co-producer: Marie Fuglestein Lægreid, Ingrid Lill Høgtun, and Linda Bolstad Strønen, DUOfilm
Producer: Pamela L. Reyes, Create Cinema Inc
Support:  625 000 NOK (€53.850)

Synopsis 

A young woman involved in a massacre explores the aftermath of her choices and the disappearance of her lover who recruited her for the crime.

Jury statement 

Sam explores the diabolical cycle of violence and its ripple psychological effects on individuals through the brave journey of a 19-year-old woman. The film highlights one of the most ferocious massacres in the Philippines, in the Maguindanao province in 2009, during which the highest number of journalists ever in the entire world were killed. The jury was struck by the personal and mature treatment of this traumatic event by the young female filmmaker as well as by her strong cinematographic proposal. This engaging story, addressing freedom of speech, is very timely and is not only important for the Philippines and the country’s memory, but also has an obvious international reach.

The Difficult Bride 

Country: Bangladesh
Genre: Fiction
Director: Rubaiyat Hossain
Norwegian co-producer: Ingrid Lill Høgtun, Barentsfilm
Producer: Aadnan Imtiaz Ahmed, Khona Talkies
Support:  600.000 NOK (€51.700)

Synopsis 

Days away from her wedding, Novera, a bride-to-be struggles with her body as it revolts in the most poetic but grotesque way against bridal rituals.

Jury statement 

This daring portrait of the upper middle class of the Bangladeshi society, deals with the narrow gender roles and strict expectations to femininity for women in current day Dhaka. The script took us on an atmospheric and immersive journey, and the jury was fascinated and intrigued by the poetic, yet grotesque, way the filmmaker is planning to visualise the protagonist`s feelings and desires.

Mars at Nightfall 

Country: Guatemala
Genre: Fiction
Director: Edgar Sajcabún
Norwegian co-producer: Dag Hoel, Dag Hoel Filmproduksjon
Producer: Sergio Ramírez, Surkum Cinematografía
Support:  500.000 NOK (€ 43.100)

Synopsis 

Kem, an indigenous Maya boy in Guatemala, tries to solve his family's economic problems. He fears his father will migrate to a distant country and separate from his family. When the family's electricity is cut off and everything seems dark, Mars emerges to illuminate them.

Jury statement 

Mars At Nightfall explores land dispossession and the marginalisation of indigenous communities in Guatemala through the eyes of a young boy. The jury was struck by the screenplay and its sensitive portrayal of the relationship between father and son in this coming-of-age story. We were impressed by the directors previous short films, and are very happy to support this project that will be the first feature film to be made in the Maya Kaqchikel language.

The Sky is Mine

Country: Nepal
Genre: Fiction
Director: Deepak Rauniyar
Norwegian co-producer: Alan R. Milligan, Tannhauser Gate
Producer: Deepak Rauniyar, Aadi Production
Support: 625 000 NOK (€ 53.850)

Synopsis 

In the heart of Nepal, as racial tensions peak, Detective Pooja has 48 hours to solve the kidnapping of two boys from different castes, a case that will propel her to a legendary status or forever tarnish her reputation.

Jury statement 

The Sky Is Mine offers a poignant portrait of contemporary Nepal on the brink of change, an inside perspective into the struggles faced by marginalised communities such as Madhesis. The Jury was hooked by the script, highlighting strong women in the lead characters. Using the detective genre proves to be a judicious choice for tackling sensitive social issues, such as racism, in a more impactful manner, targeting wider audiences, both in Nepal and abroad.

As Shadows Fade 

Country: Turkey
Genre: Fiction
Director: Burcu Aykar
Norwegian co-producer: Øistein Refseth, Mer Film
Producer: Nadir Öperli, Liman Film
Support:  600.000 NOK (€ 51.700)

Synopsis 

Trapped by the Turkish heteronormative family ideal, Esin lives unaware of her passions. When she falls for the fiery, playful Deniz, a distant family friend who takes refuge in their house, she discovers the possibility of a genuine life. Their intimacy pushes her to transcend her boundaries.

Jury statement 

As Shadows Fade is a strong captivating story told in a subtle way with an eye for nuances. The script convinced the Jury of a mature storyteller in this female debut project helmed by Burcu Aykar. We got an insight into a complex coming-of-age story with strong and well developed characters. Esin’s detective-like inquiry on the truth about Deniz, draws us into a genuine experience of modern love in contemporary Turkey. We hope the film will be an intriguing psychological drama with strong entertaining components for young adults and adults, that will make it reach its audience, and a film where the main character transcends the boundaries of characters we often see in Turkish movies. As Shadows Fade will hopefully be a rare and much needed example of a love story between two women in Turkish cinema.
 

Confidential project

Country: Yemen
Genre: Documentary
Director: confidential
Norwegian co-producer: KriStine Ann Skaret, Stray Dog Productions
Producer: confidential
Support:  450.000 NOK (€ 38.790)

* This production is treated as a confidential project due to the security situation for the filmmakers involved.

Visit this page for more information on Sørfond.

Norwegian Film Institute contacts: 
Tina Beate Goa Fagerheim
Production Adviser Film Production Incentive and Sørfond
tina.fagerheim [@] nfi.no
+47 416 71 012

Dag Asbjørnsen
Head of Section International Relations
dag.asbjornsen [@] nfi.no 
+47 402 22 151

Bernt Erik Pedersen
Communications Adviser
bernt.pedersen [@] nfi.no
+47 971 79 456