Of the 57 films selected for the Nordisk Panorama 2026 competition programme, five were awarded prizes across the different categories. In addition, two films received honourable mentions for their outstanding contributions. The festival has also announced this year’s recipient of the Nordic Documentary Producer Award and the winner of the inaugural ARTE European Talent Development Award. Keep reading for the full list of winners.
BEST NORDIC DOCUMENTARY (€11,000)
- The Smuggler by Sylvelin Måkestad, 79 min, Sweden/Finland/ Norway, 2026. Synopsis: Newly retired Lisbeth travels from Sweden to Finland to retrieve her late father’s pistol. Joining a “therapy bus” for the children of war veterans, she embarks on an unexpectedly emotional journey. Along the way she meets an arms collector, sings karaoke, and learns to shoot, guided in her own way by a witch. As they near the Russian border, Lisbeth moves toward reconciliation with her father, her past, and a country shaped by old wounds. Jury citation: “The jury was unanimously struck by the mastery of this film, which delves into a still-painful chapter of European history on the border with Russia, and follows a truly remarkable protagonist’s adventurous quest for reconciliation. With its graceful subtlety, its playfulness and the genuine trust between the director and her characters, this rare portrayal of determination and love unfolds through outstanding cinematography – and has left a lasting impression on us.”
- Honourable Mention: The Beauty of Errors (Kappale kauneinta Suomea) by Jukka Kärkkäinen, 94 min, Finland/ Sweden/ Norway, 2026. Synopsis: The film explores the evolving bond between a father and son. As years pass, their closeness grows. But when Henri chooses a life with his girlfriend, Tero must learn to face his world alone.
BEST NORDIC SHORT FILM (€5000)
- PLEASE by Anna Mantzaris, 10 min, Sweden/France/Czechia/Norway/Finland, 2026. Synopsis: A dark comedy about the desire to love and be loved, even in our most fragile and shameful moments. Told through a series of loosely connected, tender and absurd scenes, the film follows people searching for intimacy and understanding. In a world that demands self-control, Please explores the emotions we try to hide – the ones that make us needy and pathetic. Gradually, the stories form a portrait of collective longing. Jury citation: The film shows a world where loneliness, desire and the need for connection are treated with both humour and compassion. Through seemingly simple encounters, it reveals the very human wish to be seen, accepted and loved. A beautifully crafted, original and emotionally resonant film.”
- Honourable Mention: Mother Creature (Mammuskepilsið), Maria Tórgarð, 30 mins. Sweden/Faroe Islands, 2026. Synopsis: A daughter attempts to pull the monster of her childhood out from under the bed in an original, deeply personal and creative film about her mother’s mental illness.
NEW NORDIC VOICE AWARD (€5000)
- Son by Leona Cauklija, 14 min, Sweden, 2025. Synopsis: A mother sees her homeless son’s graffiti-tags wherever she goes. She interprets his signatures as signals to her and wants to respond. She starts writing “Son” under his tags. One day, she suddenly gets a reply. Under Son it now says “Hello mom.” Jury citation: “The award is for a film that champions a strong new voice taking cinematic risks through captivating editing which invites the audience to join an intimate journey, through a concise and contained story full of hope, told through memory, longing, graffiti tags.
YOUNG NORDIC AWARD (€1,500)
- The Karaoke King by Karin Tötterman, 13 min, Sweden, 2026. Synopsis: School is over for the year, and 10-year-old Ella’s friends are making plans for the summer holidays. But Ella’s mums are both working, so Ella has to stay with her awkward uncle for a week. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it turns out he’s going to a karaoke competition full of old people.
CITY OF MALMÖ AUDIENCE AWARD (€2,500)
- Little Sinner by Daro Hansen & Thomas Papapetros, 94 min, Denmark, 2026. Synopsis: In Damascus in 2007, journalism student Daro enters a sham engagement to protect her family, only to be trapped in a brutal, forced marriage. With help from her Danish boyfriend, she escapes to Denmark. However, the Syrian civil war triggers her repressed trauma, driving her to the frontlines of the refugee crisis. Using 20 years of archives, in a raw study of resilience and healing, the film reveals a haunting truth: her deepest wound isn’t the abuse itself, but her mother’s betrayal.
NORDIC DOCUMENTARY PRODUCER AWARD (€10,000)
- Winner: Juha Löppönen, Mouka Filmi, Finland. About the producer: Juha Löppönen is an acclaimed Finnish film producer and partner at the Helsinki-based Mouka Filmi. With over a decade of dedicated experience in the non-fiction storytelling, Löppönen produces socially engaged, human-centric and environmentally conscious documentary features. His work frequently crosses borders through major European co-productions and international film festivals. Beyond creative producing, Löppönen is an active industry leader who has held multiple positions of trust across various film sector organisations and initiatives. Jury citation: This year’s winner stays calm when things don’t go as planned, always keeping the film and the director at the centre. In an extremely challenging production landscape, he continues to create ambitious films, build Nordic collaborations and generously share their knowledge. He embodies the spirit of Nordic documentary filmmaking. The Nordic Documentary Producer Award 2026 goes to Juha Löppönen.
DAE TALENT ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
- Knots by Maria Tórgarð (Faroe Islands). Citation: The DAE Talent Encouragement Award goes to a filmmaker who documents a historic moment in the history of her country, breaking generations of silence. With unique access to the process, and the insight into being a pioneer herself, I think her film will manage to present a both inspiring and a nuanced portrait. The director is definitely a bold and emerging voice in the documentary field. About the award: The winner will receive a personalised mentoring session with a documentary expert and a one-year DAE membership, including access to online sessions, discounted festival passes and professional development opportunities.
ARTE EUROPEAN TALENT DEVELOPMENT AWARD 2026
- Winner: Lost at Sea by Ejner Benedict Seidelin and produced by Claes Hedlund at Paloma Productions (Denmark). Jury citation: The ARTE Talent Development Award goes to an eye-opening and bold project that is strong both in visual and emotional approach. It has unique access, and strong commitment to both the form and to the people in the story. We were moved by the filmmakers bravery and creative vision. An engaging take on the dire consequences of global trade.”
