First published on 27th of February 2021
1st update 16th of april- The nominations
2nd update 26th of april- Oscars wins
The Academy Awards, most popularly known as the Oscars has been curated to honour the best films released each year. Being nominated, and further winning an Oscar is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment industry. Producers, directors, actors and others in the film industry are awarded for their artistic and technical excellence. Many of the films that are both nominated and who win an Academy Award are often Hollywood American movies. However, in more recent years there has been a rising amount of films (alongside short films) coming from the Nordics. Just this year, Nordic films have hit a record for Oscar pre-selection. With the upcoming awards show, seven Nordic films originating from Denmark, Norway and Iceland have been nominated for varying awards.
Highlighted films
1. Another Round (2020)
- Four high school teachers test a theory that suggests maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood will improve their lives.
Nominated for: Best international Film
Directed by: Thomas Vinterbeg
Featuring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larson, Magnus Millang
Country of Origin: Denmark
Update 16th of april: Nominations received for both Best Director and for Best International Film
Update 26th of april: Another Round wins an Oscar for Best International film.
2. Hope (2019)
- After Anja receives a life threatening diagnosis, her relationship with Tomas is put to the test.
Nominated for: Best International Film
Directed by: Maria Sødahl
Featuring: Andrea Bræin Hovig, Stellan Skarsgård, Elli Rhiannon Müller Osbourne
Country of Origin: Norway
3. Yes People (2020)
- Peoples relationships are tested on their ability to cope as they face the everyday battle of things such as work, school and dishwashing.
Nominated for: Animated Short Film
Directed by: Gísli Darra Halldórsson
Featuring: Helga Braga Jónsdóttir, Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir, Jón Gnarr
Country of Origin: Iceland
Update: Nomination received for Best Animated Short Film
Yes People on IMDB
Other Nominations
4. Gunda (2020)
- This documentary explores the life of a pig and its companies, two cows and a one legged chicken.
Nominated for: Documentary Feature
Directed by: Viktor Kossakovsky
Featuring: Gunda
Country of Origin: Norway
5. The Painter and The Thief (2020)
- An artist becomes close friends with the thief who stole her paintings after he is severely hurt in a car crash.
Nominated for: Documentary Feature
Directed by: Benjamin Ree
Featuring: Karl Bertil-Norland, Barbora Kysilkova, Øystein Stene
Country of Origin: Norway
6. The Kicksled Choir (2020)
- Ten year old boy Gabriel loves to sing and wishes to join the local choir. However, when Gabriel’s father gets into a fight with one of the local refugees, Gabriel’s efforts to join the Kicksled Choir becomes challenging.
Nominated for: Live Action Short
Directed by: Torfinn Iversen
Featuring: Benoni Grox Krane, Stig Henrik Hoff, Kahled Saleh Ankila
Country of Origin: Norway
7. Do Not Split (2020)
- A documentary highlighting the story of the protests after Hong Hong was rocketed in 2019.
Nominated for: Short Documentary
Directed by: Anders Hammer
Country of Origin: Norway / United States
Key Dates
March 5 – Academy Awards Nomination Voting Begins
March 10 – Academy Awards Nomination Voting Ends
March 15 – 93rd Academy Award Nominations
April 15 – Final Academy Awards Voting Begins
April 20 – Final Academy Awards Voting Ends
April 25 – 93rd Annual Academy Awards
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Written by Benji Raskin