Scandinavia’s prominent film ambassadors Roy Andersson, Liv Ullmann, Bent Hamer, Lars von Trier, Susanne Bier, Bille August, Joshua Oppenheimer and rising talents Jalmari Helander and Jukka Pekka Valkeapää are going to have the world premiere of their latest works at the upcoming A festivals Venice, Toronto and San Sebastian.

The Venice International Film Festival (August 27-September 6) has been a lucky festival draw for Swedish films over the last few years, especially the sidebars that have boosted the careers of films such as We Are the Best and The Reunion. But with Roy Andersson’s selection in official competition of A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence, (pictured) this will be the first time in 25 years that a Swedish film is vying for a Golden Lion. Also competing is Joshua Oppenheimer’s Danish documentary The Look of Silence, a companion piece to his Oscar-nominated and multi-award winning film The Act of Killing.
Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac Volume II-Director’s Cut will bow as a world premiere out of competition while Finnish auteur director Jukka Pekka Valkeapää’s second feature They Have Escaped will screen in Venice Days.

A Pigeon Sat…, The Look of Silence and They Have Escaped will fly straight from Venice to the Toronto International Film Festival (September 4-14) to join five other Nordic films, confirming TIFF’s position as today’s biggest international launch pad for Scandinavian cinema. A Pigeon Sat…will screen in the Contemporary Masters section, along with the Norwegian film 1001 Grams by Bent Hamer. TIFF'S 'Special Presentation' has Susanne Bier’s A Second Chance, Liv Ullmann’s Miss Julie and Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure, 'The Vanguard' section They Have Escaped, Jalmari Helander’s action adventure Big Game starring Samuel L. Jackson will unspool at 'Midnight Madness' and Oppenheimer’s The Look of Silence at TIFF Docs.
As for Bille August’s Danish-language Silent Heart, the family drama has just been selected for San Sebastian’s official competition (September 19 -27). The full competitive line up is yet to be finalized.

Nordisk Film & TV Fond is associated to Denmark’s A Second Chance, Nymphomaniac Volume 2 and The Look of Silence, Finland’s Big Game, Norway’s 1001 Grams, Sweden’s Force Majeure and A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence.

(Watch out for Roy Andersson’s interview to be published on August 22)