Embassies of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in Manila, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and SM Lanang Premiere, have come together for the first Scandinavian Film Festival in the Philippines. It will happen in Davao City from April 28 to May 3, 2019.

This momentous film festival will feature over 30 contemporary films of different genres, offering Filipinos a glimpse of Scandinavian culture and way of life. By reaching out to the Mindanao audience, the Scandinavian Film Festival leverages on the power of film to foster a deeper mutual understanding and dialogue between our cultures.

Among the notable line up of films that will be screened for the first time in Mindanao is the intimate triangle drama “Rosita” starring Mercedes Cabral. “Rosita” (2015) tells a story about a father and son who fall in love with the same woman. The film won Frederikke Aspöck best director award at the Moscow International Festival in 2015. “Rosita” will be the festival’s inaugural film.

Swedish documentary “The Girl Who Saved My Life” (2016) tells the story of a Swedish filmmaker returning to Iraq to film refugees fleeing ISIS, while trying to find a young girl whom he believes saved his life. “The Girl Who saved My Life” won the Göteborg Film Festival in 2016 for the Angelos Award for Best Swedish Feature.

Hirori finds Souad, an 11-year-old girl in pain, lying alone on the ground in the scorching heat. He decides to stay and help her instead of going on the helicopter, a fateful decision that will shape both their lives.

Norway’s Box office film “The Wave” (2015) is about a Norwegian geologist and his family’s fight for survival when a landslide causes a 250-foot tidal wave. "The Wave" received the award for Best Norwegian Film in Theatrical Release, as well as the awards for Best Sound Design and Best Visual Effects.

The Festival will showcase 23 full-length films from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden at SM Lanang Premiere from April 28 to May 3, 2019, while a number of documentaries, children’s short films, and films from the Mindanao Film Community will be screened at the Cinematheque Centre Davao from April 29 to May 3, 2019.

"FDCP is proud to work with the Embassies of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in Manila to bring the very first Scandinavian Film Festival to the Philippines. We are delighted that our embassies are going beyond Manila to reach out to the regional audiences of the country and make global cinema more accessible to more Filipinos," said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño. "We can't wait to showcase and introduce the Scandinavian culture through an exceptional lineup of films to the Davaoeños," she added.

On the other hand, Danish Ambassador Jan Top Christensen says, ”We are very happy to be back in Davao again with Danish films. This time joined by our Norwegian and Swedish brothers in our first Scandinavian Film Fest in Davao. It is very important for us to get out of Manila and engage with Filipinos all over. We hope to see a fine crowd for our screenings. Scandinavia is well-known for its quality films."

Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries notes that “the Embassy of Sweden is very pleased with joining this film festival in Davao City. Through a variety of contemporary Scandinavian films, we want to bring the Davaoeños and the Scandinavian people closer to each other.“

“We are excited to share our stories of laughter, suspense, and history through film,” said Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Bjørn Jahnsen. “Everyone will find movies that would appeal to their personal tastes as we have carefully selected the best of Scandinavian cinema today,” he added.

Davao is known for its thriving film community. It holds the longest-running regional film festival in the Philippines, the Mindanao Film Festival, which is now on its 17th year. With Davao’s sustained growth, and its location as a gateway to Mindanao, there is a blooming landscape for the city to be the next cultural hub of the Philippines.

All films will be screened for FREE on a first-come, first-served basis. The selection and screening of films are made possible by the Embassy of Denmark Manila, the Royal Norwegian Embassy Manila, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, the Danish Film Institute, SM Lanang Premier, SM Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Cinematheque Centre Davao. This film festival is supported by Arla, Sealand Maersk, QualiProducts Inc., Reefside Surf Co., and Jotun.