Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize for outstanding writing of a Nordic Drama series is presented by Göteborg Film Festival, the first of its kind in the Nordic region. Each year a selection of outstanding drama series from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, is nominated for the award, which goes to the main writer(s) of the series. The Nordic TV Drama Screenplay Award is worth NOK 200,000 (€20,000) is funded by Nordisk Film & TV Fond. The 2022 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize was announced at an award ceremony during the hybrid edition of TV Drama Vision and went to the Iceland series Blackport. 

The Nordic countries have stood out lately as one of the most engaging regions for drama series in the world. As a result of TV Drama Vision, Göteborg Film Festival has established itself as the most important meeting place in the Nordics for the international TV industry. In 2016, a new section Nordic Light: TV Drama was introduced within the festival programme, showcasing a wide range of new Nordic TV drama. The Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize is another step in the festival’s commitment to drama series.

Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson and Mikael Torfason, writers of Blackport (Verbúðin), was the recipients of the 2022 Nordic TV Drama Screenplay Award. Directed by Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, María Reyndal, produced by Nana Alfredsdóttir, Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Nina Dögg Filippusdóttir (Vesturport), sales by About Premium Content. The 2022 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consisted of Finnish actor Alma Pöysti, Hungarian writer and creative producer Gábor Krigler, Norwegian screenwriter and director Julie Andemand , Swedish journalist and television critic Mattias Bergqvist.

All nominated series 2022:
Blackport (Verbúðin), Iceland. Nominated writers: Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Mikael Torfason (2022 winner)
Countrymen (Jordbrukerne), Norway. Nominated writers: Izer Aliu, Anne Bjørnstad
Suburbia (Vi i villa), Sweden. Nominated writer: Tove Eriksen Hillblom
The Shift (Det største), Denmark. Nominated writer: Lone Scherfig
Transport (Transport), Finland. Nominated writer: Auli Mantila

Maja Jul Larsen, writer of Cry Wolf (Ulven kommer), was the recipient of the 2021 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Pernille Fischer Christensen, May El-Toukhy, Samanou Sahlstrøm and Niclas Bendixen, produced by Claudia Saginario (DR Drama). Sales by DR Sales. The 2021 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consists of Swedish actor Evin Ahmad (Snabba Cash), THIS – Future Stories & Engagement Felicia Elisabeth Jackson , Head of International Content Development at Mediapro Studio Ran Tellem.

All nominated series 2021
Cry Wolf (Ulven kommer), Denmark. Nominated writers: Maja Jul Larsen (2021 winner)
Cargo (Rahti), Finland. Nominated writer: Matti Kinnunen
Sisterhood (Systrabönd), Iceland. Nominated writer: Jóhann Ævar Grímsson
Thin Blue Line (Tunna blå linjen), Sweden. Nominated writer: Cilla Jackert
Welcome to Utmark (Velkommen til Utmark), Norway. Nominated writers: Kim Fupz Aakeson

Sara Johnsen, the writer of 22 July (22.juli), was the recipients of the 2020 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Pål Sletaune and produced by Elisabeth Tangen and Per Berge Engebretsen (NRK Drama). International distributor: Digital Rights Group(DRG). The 2020 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consists of acclaimed Norwegian actor Jakob Oftebro (Agent Hamilton, Kon-Tiki), Swedish actor Moa Gammel (Jordskott, Tommy), Polish award-winning producer and director Dariusz Jabłoński (Photographer, The Pleasure Principle) and Norwegian journalist Cecilie Asker (Aftenposten).

All nominated series 2020
22. July (22.juli), Norway. Nominated writer: Sara Johnsen (2020 winner)
Caliphate (Kalifat), Sweden. Nominated writers: Wilhelm Behrman and Niklas Rockström
Happily Never After (Pabbahelgar), Iceland. Nominated writer: Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
The Paradise (Paratiisi), Finland. Nominated writer: Matti Laine
When the Dust Settles (Når støvet har lagt sig), Denmark. Nominated writers: Dorte Høgh and Ida Maria Rydén

Merja Aakko and Mika Ronkainen, writers of All the Sins (Kaikki Synnit), were the recipients of the 2019 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Mika Ronkainen and produced by Ilkka Matila (MRP Matila Röhr Productions Oy) for Elisa Viihde. International distributor: SKY Vision. The 2019 jury consisted of Finnish actress Laura Birn (The Innocents, A Walk Among the Tombstones), Swedish actor Alexander Karim (The Lawyer, Tyrant, Zero Dark Thirty), Swedish/American journalist and TV and podcast producer Christina Jeurling Birro (Pop Culture Confidential) and British content consultant and producer Justin Judd (Hulu, Content Media Corporation, Nevision)

All nominated series 2019
All the Sins (Kaikki Synnit), Finland. Nominated writers: Merja Aakko and Mika Ronkainen (2019 winner)
The Flatey Enigma (Flatey Jargátan), Iceland. Nominated writer: Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
The Inner Circle (Den inre cirkeln), Sweden. Nominated writer: Håkan Lindhé

Kieler Street (Kielergata), Norway. Nominated writers: Stig Frode Henriksen, Jesper Sundnes, Patrik Syversen
The New Nurses (Sygeplejeskolen), Denmark. Nominated writers: Claudia Boderke, Lars Mering
State of Happiness (Lykkeland), Norway. Nominated writer: Mette M. Bølstad

Adam Price, writer of the Danish TV series Ride Upon the Storm (Herrens veje), was the recipient of the 2018 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Kaspar Munk and produced by Camilla Hammerich at DR Drama for DR. International distributor: Studiocanal. The 2018 jury consisted of jury president Walter Iuzzolino, Italy/UK, TV executive/curator of the streaming service Walter Presents; Sofia Helin, Sweden, actress (Bron/The Bridge) and Kirpi Uimonen Ballesteros, Finland, entertainment journalist, board member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association TV committee.

All nominated series 2018
Ride Upon the Storm (Herrens veje) Denmark. Nominated writer: Adam Price (2018 winner)
Stella Blómkvist, Iceland. Nominated writers: Jóhann Ævar Grímsson, Andri Óttarsson and Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
The Lawyer (Advokaten), Sweden. Nominated writers: Karin Gidfors and Charlotte Lesche
Deadwind (Karppi), Finland. Nominated writers: Rike Jokela, Kirsi Porkka and Jari Olavi Rantala
Borderliner (Grenseland), Norway. Nominated writers: Megan Gallagher, Alexander Opsal, Bjørn Ekeberg

The first Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize in 2017 was awarded to Nobel (Norway) written by Stephen Uhlander and Mette M. Bølstad. The series is directed by Per-Olav Sørensen and produced by Håkon Briseid and Tone Rønning from Monster Scripted. The 2017 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consisted of Head of Jury Lars Blomgren Managing Director at Filmlance (Sweden), LA-based Swedish-American producer Gudrun Giddings from G4C Innovation (USA), Drama Consultant Isabelle Pechou (Denmark/France) and Film/TV critic Leena Virtanen (Finland).

All nominated series 2017
Nobel, Norway. Nominated writers: Mette. M. Bølstad and Stephen Uhlander  (2017 winner)
The Bonus Family (Bonusfamiljen), Sweden. Nominated writer: Jesper Harrie
The Day Will Come (Der kommer en dag), Denmark. Nominated writer: Søren Sveistrup
Love and Order (Myrskyn Jälkeen), Finland. Nominated writer: Kaarina Hazard and Leea Klemola
Prisoners (Fangar), Iceland. Nominated writers: Ragnar Bragason and Margrét Örnólfsdóttir

Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson and Mikael Torfason, writers of Blackport (Verbúðin), are the recipients of the 2022 Nordic TV Drama Screenplay Award. This was announced today during an award ceremony at TV Drama Vision.

For the sixth consecutive year, the award for outstanding writing of a Nordic Drama series, was handed out at the 2022 hybrid edition of Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision. The NOK 200 000 award, funded by Nordisk Film & TV Fond goes to the main writers of the series.

Synopsis:
Russia has oil. Africa has gold. Iceland has fish. Set in the 1980‘s in a small Icelandic fishing village, the story follows a married couple, Harpa and Grimur, as they build a small fishing empire along with their childhood friends. Due to the introduction of a new fishing quota system in the country, where the fishing grounds are privatized, the struggle for power results in a feud of jealousy, greed and betrayal. A collective venture, that mirrors true events as they played out and dramatically changed the political landscape in Iceland, creating the country’s first billionaires.

Gísli Örn Gardarsson is one of the founders of Vesturport. He has acted in, directed, written and produced theatre productions all over the world, winning numerous awards including the European Theatre Award with Vesturport, a shooting star award at the Berlinale as an actor and best direction awards in Boston and Toronto. Recently, Gísli had one of the leading roles in season one and two in Netflix’s Ragnarok.

Björn Hlynur Haraldsson is a director, writer, actor, producer and co-founder of Vesturport. He started out as an actor after graduating from The Drama Academy of Iceland in 2001. His debut feature film as writer/director Blóðberg (Homecoming), opened in 2015 and is currently being re-made in the UK. Björn Hlynur’s most recent acting role is in Oscar shortlisted feature film Lamb, currently screening at Göteborg Film Festival.

Mikael Torfason has written eight novels, ten plays, a Netflix original and three feature films. He wrote and directed Made in Iceland, a feature film that traveled the world and was nominated to numerous prizes. Recently Torfason wrote Valhalla Murders for Netflix.

Jury statement: “Dramatic, funny and unpredictable, without losing its original voice, the winner is a show that has strong emotional stakes and a lead character ahead of her time. She refuses to play by the rules, just like this series is not afraid to push narrative boundaries, balancing between existentialism and comedy.”

This year’s Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consisted of Finnish actor Alma Pöysti, Hungarian writer and creative producer Gábor Krigler, Norwegian screenwriter and director Julie Andemand Swedish journalist and television critic Mattias Bergqvist.

Blackport credits:
Iceland, 2021, 8×50’ Nominated writers: Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Mikael Torfason Broadcasters: RÚV, ARTE France Produced by: Vesturport Producers: Nana Alfredsdóttir, Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Nina Dögg Filippusdóttir Directors: Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, María Reyndal Premiere: December 26, 2021 Sales: About Premium Content

Five Nordic drama series are nominated for the NOK 200,000 (€20,000) Nordic TV Drama Screenplay Award, presented during Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision. The winner will be announced at an award ceremony on February 2, 2022 at TV Drama Vision, Göteborg Film Festival’s conference event and series market.

Jordbrukerne
Norway, 2021, 8×45’
Nominated writers: Izer Aliu, Anne Bjørnstad
Broadcasters: NRK, ARTE France
Produced by: Rubicon
Producers: Mikael Diseth, Fridrik H. Mar
Directors: Izer Aliu, Aurora Gossé, Brwa Vahabpour
Premiere: October 2021
Sales: Banijay Rights

Countrymen follows a group of young men from inner city Oslo, who move to a farm in picturesque Telemark. While pretending to be driven by a shared interest for agriculture, their real intention is something entirely different. One thing leads to another, and against their will the guys from Oslo end up as founders of Norway’s first halal cheese making business. Countrymen is a story about community and belonging, and about finding meaning in your life where you least expect it.

Transport
Finland, 2022, 8×45’
Nominated writer: Auli Mantila
Broadcaster: Yle
Produced by: Tekele Productions
Producers: Miia Haavisto, Tia Talli
Director: Auli Mantila
Premiere: March 25, 2022
Sales: Reinvent

A journalist wants to trace a microchip found in baby food. Her inquiries lead her to the illicit horse trade in Europe. A bank manager makes a mistake. When she fails to cover it up, she falls prey to something bigger. A border control veterinarian goes missing. An insurance investigator wants to know what happened. Transport is a story about ordinary people who all have their skin in the game.

Det største
Denmark, 2022, 8×40’
Nominated writer: Lone Scherfig
Broadcaster: TV 2
Produced by: Creative Alliance
Producer: Malene Blenkov
Directors: Lone Scherfig, Ole Christian Madsen, Søren Balle
Premiere: May 2022
Sales: Beta Film (World Sales), TV 2 Denmark (Nordic territories)

The Shift, an emotional, contemporary workplace drama, transpires in a maternity ward: a special, almost secret arena, where a vast majority of us still at some point spends the most crucial hours of our lives. Throughout a busy and stressful workday, they experience their biggest conflicts and most heartfelt joys, while striving to meet sky-high professional and personal standards.

Vi i villa
Sweden, 2022, 6×30’
Nominated writer: Tove Eriksen Hillblom
Co-writers: Henrik Schyffert, Maria Nygren
Broadcaster: Discovery + / Kanal 5
Produced by: FLX
Producer: Lejla Besic
Director: Henrik Schyffert, John Nordling
Premiere: Spring 2022
Sales: TBD

Couple dinners with endless talk of pointless home renovations. Playing padel tennis. Quality time and shared family calendar. Anders’ dreams are long gone and he’s sick of trying to fit into an existence he loathes. The charade of middle-class adulthood could well have continued, however, until Anders finds out his daughter is being ostracized at school and has had enough. Desperate in his yearning for change he starts harassing his neighbours.

Verbúðin
Iceland, 2021, 8×50’
Nominated writers: Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Mikael Torfason
Broadcasters: RÚV, ARTE France
Produced by: Vesturport
Producers: Nana Alfredsdóttir, Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Nina Dögg Filippusdóttir
Directors: Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, María Reyndal
Premiere: December 26, 2021
Sales: About Premium Content

Russia has oil. Africa has gold. Iceland has fish. Set in the 1980‘s in a small Icelandic fishing village, the story follows a married couple, Harpa and Grimur, as they build a small fishing empire along with their childhood friends. Due to the introduction of a new fishing quota system in the country, where the fishing grounds are privatized, the struggle for power results in a feud of jealousy, greed and betrayal. A collective venture, that mirrors true events as they played out and dramatically changed the political landscape in Iceland, creating the country’s first billionaires.