Jury statements 2026
Prize of the Children's Jury for "The Mystery Package" by Silje Evensom Jacobsen
"We especially liked one film that we saw in the last few days. It is an enthralling film that invites us to join in the guessing game, and which is suitable for the whole family. We also liked that it was funny, but also sad, and touching to watch. That is why we decided to select The Mystery Package."
Prize of the Youth Jury for "Morten" by Ivan Pavljutškov
"The film we chose deals with themes such as escaping reality and feeling the pressure to fit in. It stood out from the others because of its extraordinary cinematography and symbolism.This film explores the struggle between personal identity and the desire to fit in, showing how the search for social belonging can sometimes lead to the wrong decisions. Therefore, the winner of this year's Youth Jury Award at the Nordic Film Days is Morten by Ivan Pavljutškov!"
Children's & Youth Film Prize for "Skiff" by Cecilia Verheyden
"The jury awards its prize to a sensitive and moving portrait of growing up. Its outstanding main character took us on an emotional journey through the turbulent teenage years, navigating the complexities of life with all the challenges of adolescence, and the courage it takes to find your own path.
The film is a strong plea for discovering, accepting, and being yourself. It shows us - the jury: Let’s support everyone in being who they truly are."
– Children's & Youth Film Prize Jury
Nordic & Baltic Short Film Prize forfür "The End" by Niki Lindroth von Bahr
"With outstanding animation artistry, this film takes us on an absurd and unpredictable journey. An airport - a non-place between arrival and departure, above and below, life and death, populated exclusively by animal characters - becomes a sarcastic mirror of contemporary human society. In a world where everything seems to be for sale, even us, the film asks with remarkable wit and precision what are we so blindly striving for in the face of our own mortality."
– Jury of The Norcic & Baltic Short Film Prize
CineStar Prize for "The B-Side of the Landscape" by Philipp Hartmann
"A parking lot between supermarket, a Euro shop, and a lunch spot – venues for consumption, venues limited to their purpose, venues that one hopes to leave behind quickly. But this is exactly where the film’s protagonist lingers, waits, observes, and philosophises. In romanticism – according to Gerd – the centre is often concealed, the image first emerges through things occurring at the margins. He too gazes past the centre of occurrences with dwindling eyesight, eavesdrops on conversations, encounters people. And so the B-side of these non-places unfurls beyond their original purpose. This is captured on 16 mm film developed by hand.But the A-side of the over-focussed reality intrudes again and again in lewdly-coloured digital images."
Documentary Film Prize for "Let our Mountains Live" by Håvard Bustnes
The jury awards this prize to a film that tackles topical subject matter on many levels. We were particularly impressed by the way it depicts the collective power of youthful protest in asserting human rights. The film shows that being in the right does not always mean attaining your rights; sometimes you don’t even get an apology. We award the prize to a film that impressively documents the Sámi battle to preserve the basis of their livelihood.
– Jury of the Documentary Film Prize
Baltic Film Prize for a Nordic Feature Film for "Árru" by Elle Sofe Sara
This award goes to a film about finding strength from your ancestors, letting go of past pain, and moving boldly into the future.
– Jury of the Baltic Film Prize
Interfilm Church Prize for "Brace Your Heart" by Amanda Kernell
The jury gives its award to a film where the protagonist is not a victim, but not a hero either. She is a survivor.This is a story that needs to be told, for the community and beyond.
It feels as if many Nordic films right now deal with silence, and the need to break it. This film brings a powerful and timely voice to that conversation.
It’s also about how a community deals with guilt and difficult truths. Ultimately, the film leaves us with pain and hope: the truth will set you free.
NDR-Film Prize for "No Rest for the Wicked" by Kasper Kalle
True love is rare, fragile, and often under attack. In this tale of Romeo and Romeo, we felt just how fierce it can be.
In a village on a remote island where the landscape seems as old as time, two humans fall in love. The island is harsh. The people are even harsher. Yet nothing can keep these lovers apart. Not even death.
Here at the Nordic Film Days in Lübeck, where Nosferatu once came to life, it is our great honour to reward a film that brings vampires back to town - to celebrate true love in a strikingly unique way.
