Nominees and Jury announced for the 2019 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize

Six Nordic drama series have been announced as nominees for the NOK 200,000 (€20,000) Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize 2019, presented at TV Drama Vision in Göteborg.

For the third consecutive year, the award for outstanding writing of a Nordic Drama series, funded by Nordisk Film & TV Fond, will be handed out at Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision. This year, six drama series – two from Norway and one each from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden – are nominated for the award, which goes to the series’ main writer(s). The first two episodes of the nominated series will be screened as part of the programme of the Göteborg Film Festival. The winner will be announced at the TV Drama Vision award ceremony on January 30, 2019.

This year’s jury consists 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 the Sins Kaikki synnit Finland, 2019 6 x 45’ Nominated writers: Merja Aakko, Mika Ronkainen Director: Mika Ronkainen Producer: Ilkka Matila Produced by MRP Matila Röhr Productions Oy For Elisa Viihde International distributor: Sky Vision An addictively intriguing crime thriller about complex relationships and small town prejudices. After a ten-year absence, Detective Lauri Räihä is sent to investigate the murders of two men in the small northern town where he grew up. Lauri seeks answers to the case only to discover other truths about himself, his home town, and whether one has the power to forgive all sins.   The Flatey Enigma Flateyjargátan Iceland, 2018 4 x 52’ Nominated writer: Margrét Örnólfsdóttir Directors: Björn B. Björnsson Producers: Anna Vigdís Gísladóttir, Björn B. Björnsson, Þórhallur Gunnarsson Produced by Sagafilm / Reykjavik Films For RÚV International distributor: Sky Vision In the spring of 1971, Johanna, a professor of Nordic Studies is accused of murder. To prove her innocence Johanna has to solve the enigmatic riddle of The Book of Flatey, a medieval manuscript about the Kings of Norway. On her journey to solve the riddle, Johanna will have to delve deep into darkness and heartache.

The Inner Circle Den inre cirkeln  Sweden, 2019 8 x 45’ Nominated writer: Håkan Lindhé Co-writers: Anna Platt & Maja Winkler Directors: Anders Hazelius, Håkan Lindhé Producer: Håkan Hammarén Produced by Fundament Film  For Viaplay International distributor: DRG  The Swedish political elite of have all gathered at ‘Almedalen week’, the world famous political forum. The Prime Minister is expected to stand down. But who will be her successor? David Ehrling, Minister for Enterprise, sees the opportunity to fulfill his life long dream. But does he have what it takes? Is he willing to pay the price? And is it really worth it?    Kieler Street Kielergata Norway, 2018 10 x 45’ Nominated writers: Stig Frode Henriksen, Jesper Sundnes, Patrik Syversen Directors: Patrik Syversen, Cecilie A. Mosli Producers: Anne Kolbjørnsen, Ole Marius Araldsen, Kornelia Lund Produced by Anagram Norway For TV2 Norway International distributor: ITV International Former criminal Jonas has assumed a new identity and lives in Scandinavia’s least criminal town, but the facade starts falling apart when he realizes that several other inhabitants have hidden identities. And they’re all willing to do anything it takes to protect their new lives.

The New Nurses Sygeplejeskolen Denmark, 2018 6 x 40’ Nominated writers: Claudia Boderke, Lars Mering Director: Roni Ezra Producer: Senia Dremstrup Produced by SF Studios For TV2 Charlie / TV 2 Denmark Nordic distributor: TV 2 Sales  International distributor: REInvent Studios  In 1952 matron Margrethe launches a controversial experiment at Fredenslund Hospital: To train men as nurses. The young soldier Erik persuades Margrethe to accept him as a part of the programme, and as he joins the first mixed-gender class the upper-class girl, Anna, catches his attention. The new students want to make a difference but they are up against rigid rules, prejudices and antiquated conventions.    State of Happiness Lykkeland Norway, 2018 8 x 45’ Nominated writer: Mette M. Bølstad Based on a concept by Siv Rajendram Eliassen, after an idea by Synnøve Hørsdal Directors: Petter Næss, Pål Jackman Producers: Synnøve Hørsdal, Ales Ree Produced by Maipo Film For NRK  International distributor: DR Sales It’s the summer of 1969 in the small coastal town of Stavanger, Norway. International oil companies have been test drilling for years, but nothing has been found and they are in the process of leaving. Stavanger lives off fish, and the North Sea is emptying out. Something has to happen. The town is in crisis. The night before Christmas 1969, the gas flare at the Ocean Viking is lit. Phillips Petroleum has found the largest sub sea oil basin in history. And everything is about to change.