Nordisk Film & TV Fond unveils today the list of Nordic graduation students and their projects running for the NOK250,000 Pitch Prize and NOK 50,000 Special Mention Prize at Nordic Talents (August 31-September 2, 2016).

The Norwegian Film School brings the largest number of pitch projects - 5 -  including Changeling, a TV series about a normal 13-year old troll, co-written by Harald Mæle jr (Crack, Back & Sack/Pornopung) and Kjersti Wøien Håland.

The National Film School of Denmark comes next with four animation projects, followed by ELO Helsinki Film School of Aalto University with three projects including Scenes from a Dying Town by Kaisa El Ramly, who's short film A Seat with a View (2014) was selected at various festivals.

Valand Academy of Gothenburg is represented by Mika Gustafson’s feature project Sisters and Westerdals Oslo ACT school by When the Sky Falls Down, pitched by director Luise Nes and producer Synne R. Krumins, while Icelandic born Ugla Hauksdóttir who studied at New York’s Columbia University will pitch the feature project Aria. Hauksdóttir has already worked professionally as a photographer, editor, and production assistant on large-scale productions such as the Tom Cruise blockbuster Oblivion.

Commenting on the 2016 crop, Petri Kemppinen, Nordisk Film & TV Fond CEO said: “This year we have many projects targeting children and young audiences, and several comedies. The competition to get in was tougher as for the first time we asked applicants to submit a development plan for their project. I think this was helpful for both the students and the selection group. It is also interesting to note the 60/40 female representation in the submissions and selection.”

Besides the popular pitching sessions, Nordic Talents will screen the graduation films of all selected film students.

This year’s Nordic Talents jury comprises Norwegian director/writer Sara Johnsen (Upperdog), Danish animation director/comics artist Anders Morgenthaler (Princess), Swedishproducer Lars Blomgren of Filmlance International (Bron), Finnish writer/producer Petja Peltomaa of Yellow Film & TV (Nurses) and Kristina Trapp, Head of the EAVE.

Full list of projects to be pitched 

  • Aria, feature film, writer/director Ugla Hauksdóttir (N.Y. Columbia University School of the Arts).
  • Scenes from a Dying Town, feature film, writer/director/producer Kaisa el Ramly (ELO Helsinki Film School).
  • Daddy’s Girl (feature film). Piched by writer/director Julia Lindström and writer Amy Black Ndiaye, Norwegian Film School. 
  • Small, Cute and Hungry (TV series). Pitched by writer Marta Huglen Revheim, Norwegian Film School. 
  • Journey (animated feature). Pitched by director Mads Guldborg Bøge, National Film School of Denmark.
  • EBBA (feature film). Pitched by writer/director Johanna Pyykkö and writer Jørgen Færøy Flasnes, Norwegian Film School.
  • Changeling (TV series). Pitched by writers Harald Mæle jr and Kjersti Wøien Håland (Norwegian Film School).
  • Dagny (animated TV series). Pitched by director Peter Lopes Andersson, National Film School of Denmark.
  • World of Lost (animated feature). Pitched by writer/director Morten Zachariassen, National Film School of Denmark.
  • Generation Mars (feature film). Pitched by director Alexander Turpin, Norwegian Film School. 
  • Deleted Scenes (feature film). Pitched by writer/director Paula Korva, ELO Helsinki Film School.
  • When the Sky Falls Down (feature film). Pitched by director Luise Nes and producer Synne R. Krumins, Westerdals Oslo ACT.
  • The Animals-A Struggle through Trouble!, animation TV series, director Amalie Næsby (National Film School of Denmark). (Update: This project was later withdrawn from the competition)
  • Goodbye Soviet Union (feature film). Pitched by writer/director Lauri Randla, ELO Helsinki Film School.
  • Sisters (feature film). Pitched by writer/director Mika Gustafson (Valand Academy, Gothenburg). 

Nordic Talents is co-organized by Nordisk Film & TV Fond and the National Film School of Denmark. 

Deadline to register for the event is AUGUST 22, 2016. To register - CLICK HERE.