Nordisk Panorama: Forum 2026

with the subtitle “for Co-financing of Documentaries” took place in Malmø monday and tuesday 21-22 of September. As in previous editions I wanted to follow the Forum, check what the filmmakers think of, maybe personal reflections and issues, or interpretations of what happens in society. In the world we live in.

I normally do so in a room in the hotel, where the event is streamed on a big tv screen. It gives me the chance to be close to the pitchers, the moderators, the broadcasters, the film consultants. I see their faces, hear what they say, watch the trailers.

BUT there is no streaming room this year, Maria Stoianova, the market manager told me in the breakfast room at the hotel. Didn´t they tell you? No.

So I ended up watching the Forum projects on this MacBook in my hotel room. The second best solution. And all projects today tuesday in the morning as there was no streaming monday!

Anyway, the Forum was as usual. Well organised, good catalogue, civilised communication, no dramas, no shouting, polite reactions from the panelists, with maybe also more well thought and conveyed comments than before – or am I getting old and less critical? Those pitching were prepared, read from their paper, looking down which of course makes it a bit boring and less powerful, but this is how Nordisk Panorama Forum wants it to be. Sitting down at a table.

OK, “I want to see that film… “. Let me mention some projects, where I had that comment in my hotel room.

“Birth Mothers”, adoption seen from another perspective. Three women “united by one experience: relinquishing a child for adoption”. In the trailer the three were presented and we are told, how the three as characters are to be developed. Right now the project is in development with funding from Swedish sources, understandable, as Lasse and Frida Barkfors have proven their talent and cinematic skills in films like “Pervert Park” and “Death of a Child”. Danish film consultant Mira Jargil knew and liked their films and when it was said that the editor will be Danish, there should a chance to get Danish funding?

And then there was a lovely déjà vu, literally with a project, that I remember from DocsBarcelona, presented by exiled Iranian Setareh Lundgren, to be directed by Yaser Talebi, “No Friend but the Mountains”. The director’s voice was voice-off to footage, archive and material from today, nomads in the mountains, how they live and communicate with the animals, traditions, of course threatened by modern life. In Barcelona Setareh Lundgren also presented “Two Sisters” to be directed by Farahbakhsh Farahidnia with Yaser Talebi as the producer. Everyone in the panel loved the project because of the wonderful footage, will anyone have their enthusiasm changed into funding?

And one more, my favourite – out of the 24 – including comments on a succesful choreography if you can call a pitch that: Moderator Mikael Opstrup could not hide his enthusiasm in his intro to the project “Lost at Sea” by Ejner Benedict Seidelin and Claes Hedund (Ejner did “Jul i Højhuset” that I saw on television, warm and well made about people in a high-rise building)(and Claes produced “Petrolheads” that was at CPH:DOX). The two young men showed a great trailer taking us to European waters, “where abandoned vessels drift like waste from the global maritime trade… follows seafarers stranded in limbo that feel like floating prisons, their fate resting in the hands of unions and bankrupt shipowners – with no idea when they’ll return home”. The moderator – after a support from Danish film consultant Eva Mulvad – welcomed comments from the panelists, who all of them liked the presentation and said that they (surprisingly, my remark!) had never heard about this phenomenon but were curious to hear and see more; moderator interfered backed up the project saying that he had seen more material that was convincing. A couple of broadcasters called for more journalism attached to the film, I think they meant more information; Ejner said rightfully that information will be conveyed through the meeting with the characters. Ove Jensen, old colleague from EDN, now documentary consultant from Nordisk Film/TV Fund, asked how they would cover situations on land. The answer was that Pedro, the ship inspector, will be filmed on land, the two characters they have right now, it can of course change, are Oleg and Vladimir from Ukraine. Unique access. Main theme Hope. The sea slaves have not got their salary and they have to pay to get on land… The best project I saw.