Haugesund New Nordic Films unveils first French Focus
Haugesund New Nordic Films has unveiled its first French Focus, running Aug. 25-28, to boost France-Nordic co-productions. The program includes four French pitches, a co-production panel, and a case study on Morten Tyldum’s biopic Ibelin, now in production with French and Norwegian partners.
Key Takeaways
- Haugesund New Nordic Films debuts a French Focus from Aug. 25-28 to spark France-Nordic partnerships.
- Four French projects will pitch at the Nordic Co-Production Market on Aug. 26.
- A case study covers Morten Tyldum’s Ibelin, starring Charlie Plummer, Stephen Graham, Toni Collette, and Bill Nighy.
- Partners include the CNC, Unifrance, and the Institut Français de Norvège.
- The Norwegian International Film Festival (Aug. 22-28) will also screen eight French titles in French Touch.
What is Haugesund New Nordic Films launching?
New Nordic Films, the industry confab of the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, has announced the program for its first French Focus. The initiative is designed to foster partnerships and co-productions between France and the Nordic countries.
It runs Aug. 25-28 and is organised with the Institut Français de Norvège, the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, France’s National Center for Cinema (CNC), and Unifrance. For more industry and platform news, see Streaming & TV Alerts.
Which French projects are pitching in Haugesund?
A pitching session on Aug. 26 at the Nordic Co-Production Market will spotlight four French films in development. Two come from Les Valseurs, the Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner this year for Elephants in the Fog and Un Certain Regard top prize winner in 2025 for The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo.
Borderline, produced by Les Valseurs co-founder Damien Megherbi, is the feature spin-off of Yves Piat’s Oscar- and César-nominated short Nefta Football Club. All the Softness in the World is an animation feature by Turkish artist Ayçe Kartal, whose short Wicked Girl won the Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand in 2018.
Also pitching are the creative documentary Boutès by Jeanne Géli and Loïs Szymczak, produced by Womanray’s Marielle Tricoire, and Temporary Lives by Syrian-Norwegian filmmaker Wessam Hachicho, produced by Respiro Productions. The French Focus will also host a panel on co-production opportunities between France and the five Nordic countries.
Why does the Ibelin case study matter?
Alongside the pitches, organisers will present a case study on the anticipated Ibelin from Norwegian-born Morten Tyldum, best known for the Oscar-winning The Imitation Game. The biopic about online gamer Mats Steen stars Charlie Plummer, Stephen Graham, Toni Collette, and Bill Nighy.
Ibelin is currently in production for France’s Vendôme Pictures and Pathé with Norway’s Neby-Tyldum AS. Variety’s exclusive report outlines how the focus aims to deepen creative and financing ties across the regions.
Gyda Velvin Myklebust, head of New Nordic Films, said she is “incredibly happy” to finally host a French focus in Haugesund, citing shared artistic ambition after Norway’s Sentimental Value won the Oscar for Best International Feature. Norwegian Film Institute CEO Kjersti Mo framed the event as part of a push for stronger European collaboration, while CNC international affairs director Michel Plazanet pointed to Nordic interest in French funding, sales, and festival access.
The Norwegian International Film Festival itself runs Aug. 22-28 and will platform eight French films in its French Touch section, extending the industry conversation into public screenings.