For its 25th anniversary, Nordisk Panorama held in Malmö from September 19-24 has a festive programme of retrospectives, sessions looking at the future of short and documentary filmmaking, prestigious international guests such as Sir Alan Parker, 42 Nordic films competing, and the industry Forum expecting 250 participants.

“We are celebrating Nordisk Panorama’s 25th birthday by looking back and forward,” says managing director Katrine Kiilgaard, (pictured) introducing this year’s programme. “Looking back, we will have a short films programme screening early gems from directors now famous, a seminar with Tue Steen Müller [Danish journalist] who will look from a non-academic view at the documentary works that have inspired others and how documentary has changed over the last 25 years. Looking forward, we will have among others a Hackathon over 48 hours where two projects will be hacked by 30 professionals from different fields (games, film, digital design) and the Nordic Transmedia Meet Up where professionals will explain how to use digital platforms to expand storytelling beyond the film itself.“

“For me, one of the main achievements that the Nordic industry can be really proud of when looking at the past 25 years, is the way co-production and cross border collaborations have become stronger, not only on a financial standpoint but also on an aesthetic and creative standpoint,” stresses Kiilgaard. 

Other highlights of this year’s programme are the flagship event ‘My Dinner with’ where Swedish director Gabriela Pichler (Eat, Sleep Die) will be in conversation with Sir Alan Parker; and two Masterclasses by Danish editor Niels Pagh Andersen (Three Rooms of Melancholia, The Act of Killing) and Finnish writer/director Virpi Suutari whose film Garden Lovers is opening Nordisk Panorama.

Thirteen Nordic films will vie for Best Nordic Documentary including Sepideh, Once I Dreamt of Life, Concerning Violence and Light Fly, Fly High, supported by the Fund. Jury members include last year’s winner of the award Joshua Oppenheimer, Charlotte Cook (Hot Docs) and Claudia Rodriguez Valencia (RTVC Colombia). 15 short films are competing in their category and 14 films for Best Nordic New Voice.

Six docs in Works in Progress looking for closing financing will be pitched such as Maiko’s Dance, Bikes VS Cars, Natural Disorder backed by the Fund and another 24 projects will be pitched at the Forum. Finally, to look at how the Nordic industry can improve its support to short and documentary films, a special NP Town Hall event on September 22 will gather key industry stakeholders who will share their visions with attendees. 

For the full Nordisk Panorama programme, check: www.nordiskpanorama.com.