PRESS RELEASE, Oslo: Five Nordic films from directors Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark), Simo Halinen (Finland), Baltasar Kormákur (Iceland) Dag Johan Haugerud (Norway), Gabriela Pichler (Sweden) vie for the prestigious Nordic Council Film Prize 2013.

FIVE OUTSTANDING FILMS COMPETE FOR THE NORDIC COUNCIL FILM PRIZE 2013

Some of the most popular and award winning Nordic films and film directors during the past year are also among the candidates for the coveted NORDIC COUNCIL FILM PRIZE 2013, which will be announced at a major prize gala on 30 October in the Oslo Opera House.

FOR FULL PRESS RELEASE IN ANY ONE OF THE NORDIC LANGUAGES OR ENGLISH - PLEASE CLICK HERE.  

The five nominees 2013 are:

THE HUNT – Denmark: Director: Thomas Vinterberg – Writers: Tobias Lindholm, Thomas Vinterberg – Producers: Sisse Graum Jørgensen, Morten Kaufmann.

OPEN UP TO ME - Finland: Director: Simo Halinen – Writer: Simo Halinen – Producer: Liisa Penttilä.

THE DEEP – Iceland: Director: Baltasar Kormákur – Writers: Jón Atli Jónasson, Baltasar Kormákur – Producers: Agnes Johansen, Baltasar Kormákur.

I BELONG – Norway: Director: Dag Johan Haugerud – Writer: Dag Johan Haugerud – Producer: Yngve Sæther.

EAT SLEEP DIE – Sweden: Director: Gabriela Pichler – Writer: Gabriela Pichler – Producer: China Åhlander.

About the Nordic Council Film Prize 2013

To be nominated for the prize, worth DKK 350.000, the films must be embedded to a significant degree in Nordic culture, must be of high quality, stand out in terms of artistic originality, and combine and refine the many elements of film in a convincing and integrated manner.

”On behalf of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Film & TV Fund, it is an honour to publish this year's five nominees.  'The human face', the individual facing the group/society, and respect and dignity are common themes that run like a thread through all the films.  A Nordic reality sets the framework within which daily life and its dilemmas are portrayed by eminent actors with empathy, humour and credibility. The nominated films are of high international quality, have a personal voice and something genuine at heart.

It is easy to understand why Nordic films (and TV series) in recent years have won major international awards and become a popular cultural export worldwide.  Right now, the Nordic Region has a unique opportunity to exert much more influence, but it requires continued courage, co-operation, development of talent - and not least funding," says Hanne Palmquist, CEO of the Nordic Film & TV Fund."

Previous winners of the film prize are Ruben Östlund, Pernilla August, Thomas Vinterberg, Lars von Trier, Roy Andersson, Peter Schønau Fog, Josef Fares, Per Fly and Aki Kaurismäki.

The winner of the Nordic Council Film Prize 2013 will be announced on 30 October. In addition to the film prize, the Nordic Council awards annually a literature prize, a music prize, and a nature and environment prize. The objective of all of these prizes is to increase interest in the literature, language, music and film of Nordic neighbouring countries. 

FOR FULL DETAILS ON ALL THE FILMS INCLUDING TRAILERS, PHOTOS, PRODUCTION INFORMATION, SPECIAL CLIPS AND PRESS/EVENT INFORMATION GO TO www.nordiccouncilfilmprize.com or CLICK HERE.