Since its inception in 2010, the HARPA Film Composers Award and the Nordic Film Music Days (NFMD) has been a highlight of the Berlin International Film Festival. Since we’re still living in a virtual film festival world, the six-day long event has moved online, which is great news for those who have always wanted to sit in on the inner workings of the Nordic film and music scene without paying for a flight to Berlin.
The goal of any composer is to tell a story with sound, and Nordic films are generally known for going directly to core feelings. Each film has a unique sound that is easy to spot, and even easier to get lost in the swirling and dramatic emotions they elicit.
The Nordic Film Music Days kicks off this Saturday, February 13th, and includes screenings of nominated films, a panel conversation with the HARPA nominees, an overview on promotional materials for composers, a seminar on creating sustainable contracts, a panel on creativity, collaboration & working together and breakout rooms for composers & director meetings.
The highlight of the event takes place on Thursday, February 18th, when the crowning of the new HARPA award winner is announced. Over the last two months, national juries from each Nordic country have watched, listened, discussed, and decided which of the 50 submitted scores will proceed as their national nominee.
The 2021 nominees of the HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award include:
Flemming Nordkrog (Denmark) | Shine Your Eyes
Pessi Levanto (Finland) | Psychosia
Hugar aka Bergur Thorisson, Petur Jonsson (Iceland) | The Vasulka Effect
Marcus Paus (Norway) | Torden
Jon Ekstrand (Sweden) | 438 dagar
Past winners include:
2020 Berlin | Gaute Storaas (Norway) | Bröllop, begravning & dop
2019 Berlin | Davíð Þór Jónsson, Benedikt Erlingsson (Iceland)| Woman at war
2018 Berlin| Daníel Bjarnason (Iceland) | Under the Tree
2017 Berlin and Cannes | Sune Martin (Denmark) | Land of Mine
2016 Berlin | Honor award | Johann Johannsson (Iceland)
2016 Berlin | Atli Örvarsson | Rams
All events are free of charge and open to the public.
Register at Nordic Film Music Days.
