On Thursday evening, Thomas Vinterberg became the first ever recipient of the newest ISBJØRNEN-award ALICE PRISEN. Fellow director Magnus von Horn was awarded ERIK BALLINGS REJSELEGAT, director Zinnini Elkington was recipient of NORDISK FILM PRISEN, and actress Özlem Saglanmak received OVE SPROGØE PRISEN.

This year's gala event marked the debut of Nordisk Film Fonden’s newest award ALICE PRISEN – an award dedicated to a director or screenwriter who, with courage, humour, and powerful storytelling, has followed in the footsteps of groundbreaking filmmaker Alice O’Fredericks by captivating a broad Danish audience and building bridges between popular appeal and artistic merit.

The evening's first recipient, however, was Özlem Saglanmak. She was awarded OVE SPROGØE PRISEN for her extraordinary acting performance in Zinnini Elkington's SECOND VICTIMS (DET ANDET OFFER) – before immediately departing the event in Valby to star in the premiere of DON JUAN at The Royal Danish Theatre.

Later, film director Magnus von Horn received ERIK BALLINGS REJSELEGAT for his Oscar-nominated film THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE (PIGEN MED NÅLEN), and film director Zinnini Elkington was awarded NORDISK FILM PRISEN for her debut feature film SECOND VICTIMS (DET ANDET OFFER). Finally, acclaimed film director Thomas Vinterberg became the first recipient of ALICE PRISEN. The award was presented to him by Denmark’s Minister for Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt.

ISBJØRNEN 2025 was yet another demonstration of how Nordisk Film Fonden supports and celebrates prominent figures in Danish film as well as the new, emerging talent on both sides of the camera.

Director Zinnini Elkington graduated from Super16 in 2021. She made her directorial debut in 2017 with the short film RAINBOW GIRLS (REGNBUEPIGER), followed by the short films GAIA, EN FLIRT, AND LOVE CHILD (SKIFTING). 

She receives NORDISK FILM PRISEN for her debut feature film SECOND VICTIMS (DET ANDET OFFER) – a captivating, compelling, and elegant drama set at Herlev Hospital. With her in-depth research, authenticity, and sharp observational skills, Zinnini Elkington has created relatable characters and a universe that is both rooted in reality and universal in its themes.

SECOND VICTIMS is a debut that paves new ways for Danish film, proving that powerful storytelling can successfully unite artistic quality, broad appeal, and low-budget production.

Previous recipients of NORDISK FILM PRISEN include Lars von Trier, Anders Thomas Jensen, Danica Curcic, May el-Toukhy, Gustav Möller, Malou Reymann, Lea Glob, and most recently Roja Pakari.

Özlem Saglanmak graduated as an actor from The Danish National School of Performing Arts in 1996. Since then, she has distinguished herself as a versatile and nuanced talent across theatre, film, and television. She receives OVE SPROGØE PRISEN for her powerful performance as Alex, a doctor, in Zinnini Elkington's SECOND VICTIMS (DET ANDET OFFER).

Özlem Saglanmak has proven her versatile acting chops with performances in a wide range of projects including KOMETERNES JUL, SHORTA and BORGEN. On the theatre stage, she has mastered a variety of roles across genres and formats. Most recently, she appeared in ROMEO AND JULIET at the Betty Nansen Theatre, and she can currently be seen in DON JUAN at The Royal Danish Theatre.

In SECOND VICTIMS, Saglanmak truly establishes herself as one of her generation's most prominent actors. OVE SPROGØE PRISEN is an acknowledgement of her great talent, versatility, and her ability to bring complex characters to life with charisma, raw emotion, and human depth.

Previous recipients of the award include Lene Maria Christensen, Mia Lyhne, Danica Curcic, Esben Smed, Mille Dinesen, Josephine Park, Jacob Lohmann, and most recently Sofie Torp.

The Polish-Swedish film director and screenwriter Magnus von Horn grew up in Gothenburg but has lived in Poland for the past 20 years, where he graduated from the National Film School in Łódź in 2013. Magnus von Horn receives ERIK BALLINGS REJSELEGAT for his third feature film, THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE (PIGEN MED NÅLEN). The Oscar nominated film is a historical tragedy and a timely commentary on today's debate about women's rights to their own bodies and the fight for freedom and dignity.

With ERIK BALLINGS REJSELEGAT, Magnus von Horn is recognized for his courage, precision, and ability to create impactful stories that both move and challenge. The award is intended to enable him to draw new inspiration on his artistic journey and continue to create films that leave their mark on both the Danish and international scene.

Previous recipients of the award include Susanne Bier, Martin Zandvliet, Ask Hasselbalch, Sabine Hviid, Ditte & Louise, Louise McLaughlin, Lisa Jespersen, Sara Jønsson, Frelle Petersen, Mette Heeno, and most recently Christian Andersen.
 

For more than three decades, Thomas Vinterberg has been a prominent figure in Danish cinema, as one of the country's most awarded and internationally acclaimed directors. Even as a young director, he showcased his talent with his debut feature film DE STØRSTE HELTE in 1996, after graduating from The National Film School of Denmark. 

Since then, he has created modern classics such as the Dogme 95 film FESTEN and the Oscar-nominated JAGTEN, as well as award-winning dramas like SUBMARINO, KOLLEKTIVET, and FAR FROM MADDING CROWD. His films have garnered over 2.3 million cinema admissions in Denmark alone.

Throughout his career, Vinterberg has dared to venture onto thin ice and embrace the unpredictable. He has united artistic courage with popular appeal and humour, and he has created works that have entertained and deeply resonated with the Danish collective consciousness. With his moral narratives and intense human dramas, he has cemented his position as one of Danish film's most significant directors.

With ALICE PRISEN, Thomas Vinterberg is honoured as one of Danish film's great storytellers.
 

Since 1993, the foundation has awarded grants to benefit the Danish film industry – with a special focus on strengthening cinematic storytelling for the future by developing and showcasing world-class film talent.

The foundation supports young filmmakers in pursuing international opportunities through its Store Isbjørn (DKK 30,000) and Lille Isbjørn (DKK 15,000) grants. It also supports innovative initiatives through the ISBJØRNEN Project Support Scheme and Signature Projects.

Among other activities, Nordisk Film Fonden hosts the annual PICTURE THIS conference, which inspires Danish filmmakers to utilize new technology to enhance the cinematic art form. It also supports educational programs such as Super16 in Copenhagen, Super8 in Aarhus, and 18 Frames in Odense, as well as initiatives like the ViZARTS Lab at Aalborg University, the Screenwriting School for Children's Fiction, and the European Film College in Denmark.

As the only non-profit foundation in Denmark exclusively dedicated to the Danish film industry, the Nordisk Film Fonden annually distributes approximately seven million DKK.

Learn more about our foundation: Nordisk Film Fonden. 
 

Photos: Rasmus Sigvaldi