17/08/2010

For its 38th edition, the Norwegian International Film Festival in the picturesque seaside resort of Haugesund, Western Norway, has widened its programming of European films and created two new sidebars focusing on UK/Irish and Nordic films.

“Haugesund would like to be a mirror for Nordic and European cinema, and we see a great audience interest in these films. We are therefore very pleased to be able to present a film programme with such a strong European and Nordic profile, said Programme Director Håkon Skogrand. Indeed, 80% of all films in Haugesund are European productions. With its popular New Nordic Films market that attracts each year around 300 international film professionals, Skogrand says it was natural to make some of the new Nordic films available to non-professionals as well. The Nordic Focus sidebar will screen seven films such as Bad Family [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Rand Sound of Noise [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. The new British/Irish sidebar will present seven titles including Nothing Personal [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Urszula Antoniak
interview: Urszula Antoniak
film profile], to be introduced by its lead actor Stephen Rea.

Scottish actor Brian Cox will be on hand for the world premiere of the UK/Norwegian co-production Wide Blue Yonder by Robert Young, as well as UK actor/director Nick Moran who will support the international premiere of The Kid [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. His second film as a director will be released domestically by CCV/Oro Film on August 27.

As usual, Norwegian films will have a prominent place at the festival. Maria Sødahl’s first feature film Limbo starring Lena Endre, will open the main festival section on August 21, while Stefan Faldbakken’s new Varg Veum film The Writing on the Wall will be the closing film on August 25. As a sign of the government’s on going support to the local film industry, Norway’s Minister of Culture Anniken Huitfeldt will meet participants of New Nordic Films market (August 18-21) and open the main festival on Saturday. She will also be one of the VIP attending the annual Amanda awards ceremony held this Friday.