Award Winners 2026

International Competition‍

Best Film‍

• DARIA'S NIGHT FLOWERS by Maryam Tafakory (IRN, FRA, GBR).
  

For its poetic portrayal of symbols of solidarity and rebellion among women, and for decades placing Iranian cinema in a lyrical, metaphorical context.

The award goes to the best film in the international competition. The winner gets the Minimalen trophy, and 1,000 euros given by the Minimalen.

Honorable mention

• THESE VOICES ARE REAL (In Sedaha Vagheist) by Baran Nikrah (IRN).

Short Film Festivals have the power to show us parts of our world which exist outside of our perspectives. A special mention for giving us an insight into a system that is part of the real life of women of Iran which we were not aware of.

Jury: Kornél Szilágyi (HUN), Anna Lian (NOR) and Sven Schwarz (DEU).‍

Audience Award

• THESE VOICES ARE REAL (In Sedaha Vagheist) by Baran Nikrah (IRN).

The award goes to the film that has received the most votes by the public in the international competition. The winner gets 500 euros given by the Minimalen.

Nordic competition

Best Nordic Film

• THE THIEF by Christoffer Rizvanovic Stenbakken (Greenland, DNK).

Because of its purity and its integrity, we get the impression we become one with the universe and the character in a setting very far removed from everything we know, but we're there with him all the way in his noble quest for justice. Due to its simplicity and universality. We're talking direct cinema at its finest here where the line between documentary and fiction becomes a non-question. A Most wonderful accomplishment that deserves nothing but our appreciation and our recognition.

The award goes to the best film in the Nordic competition. The winner receives the Minimalen trophy, and 1,000 euros given by the Department of Art and Media Studies at NTNU.

Best Norwegian Film‍

• EGO by Vegard Dahle.

In a universe where self-fulfilment is the only guiding principle, and where the outside world is eclipsed by a curious pursuit of bodily sensations. Knocked-out teeth become an exciting experience, and the experimental dinner menu means everything. And what use are children when you can sip foam cocktails by the pool? This film offers both great humour and a distinctly uncomfortable atmosphere. Direction, cinematography, cast and editing come together as the perfect ingredients in this brilliant and delicious short-film soup.

The award goes to the best Norwegian film in the Nordic competition. The winner gets the Minimalen trophy, and 5,000 NOK given by the Minimalen.

Best Nordic Documentary

• CAKE by Christian Alexander Holm-Glad (NOR).

In this film we meet the artist and sex worker Lindsay Dye. She talks about sexism, fetishism and her “cake sitting” performances. We appreciated that the film challenges prejudices and assumptions, as it follows her everyday life in Brooklyn and her work as a cam girl.

Best Nordic Animation

• FLOWER SHOW by Elli Vuorinen (FIN).

For a vibrantly crafted, surreal and witty animation that plays with nature and power constructs, to reveal much about the expectations placed upon women.

Best Nordic Art Film

• SPIRITS (Vuoiŋŋat) by Marja Viitahuhta (FIN).

For its flawless cinematic blend of ancient and contemporary practices. For its mesmerising and memorable nature. På, och overtly spirituella.

Honorable mention

• PIRATELAND by Stavros Petropoulos (FRA, GRC, NOR, SVN).

For an ingeniously scripted, suspenseful and amusing take on commercial exploitation, exoticisation and the games people play in an unequal and increasingly surreal world, signalling an exciting directorial voice able to captivate audiences while having much to say on power in modern times.

Jury: Jesper Bergom-Larsson (SWE), Carmen Grey (NZL) and Wim Vanacker (BEL).

Best Norwegian Prerunner

• GRAVITY RACER by Finn Walther.

A humorous and well-executed film that truly delighted the jury. The film tells a simple yet moving story where the ultimate descent becomes a symbol of courage, freedom, and the willingness to release control. The jury was impressed by the film's visual expression and it's to-the-point storytelling, making it a tribute to the imagination and courage of childhood.

The award goes to a Norwegian short film of up to 5 minutes and is chosen by Trondheim cinema. The winner will be shown as a prefilm at Trondheim cinema for one month.

The Raskin Spirit Festival Award

• THESE VOICES ARE REAL (In Sedaha Vagheist) by Baran Nikrah (IRN).

‍The award includes both the two main competitions international and Nordic, and is chosen by the festival team. The award was established to celebrate a compact, poetic short film that exploits its visual and auditory possibilities in an imaginative way and has its own optimal form.

One-Minute-Films

One-Minute-Film Young

• TRAIL OF THE NIGHT by Vegard Schiefloe, Markus Ansnes, Edgar Sydskjør, Elias Bjørkøy Martinsen.

The award goes to the film with the most votes from the audience. The winner receives 3,000 NOK given by Midtnorsk Filmsenter.

One-Minute-Film (No Age Restriction)

• PRIMAL INSTICT WITH BUCK SAVAGE by Henrik Remøy.

The award goes to the film with the most votes from the audience. The winner gets the trophy The Golden Scissors 2.0.

Regional Student Competition

Best Film

• THE RETURNING (Tilbakekomstene) by Mille Dahl-Folden.

The film combines absurdity and humor with excellent direction. It is playful, intriguing, and surprising. It is distinctly indistinct, causing us to scratch our heads and crack a smile at the same time. The film challenges conventions and experiments at an impressively high level. In this case, relatively high risks have been taken with great payoff. This year's winner pushes the parent-child relationship to the extreme in a mishmash of recurring deaths and indifference.

The award goes to the best film in the Regional Student Competition. The winner receives a diploma and the title Best Student Film 2025.

Jury: Thomas Rønning (NOR), Ask Jacobsen (NOR) and Guro Kobberød (NOR).

Multiplié dance film

Nordic competition

Best Film

• EVERYTHING IS RIGHT BEFORE by Anna Antsalo, Jenni-Elina von Bagh (FIN).

The award goes to the best film in the Nordic competition in Multiplié. The winner gets 1,000 euros given by DansiT.

International Competition

Best Film

• BOLERO.S by Mehdi Kerkouche (FRA).

The award goes to the best film in the international competition in Multiplié. The winner gets 1,000 euros given by DansiT.

Honorable mention

• Best Nordic Dance Film: KIELO by Janina Rajakangas, Sinem Kayacan (FIN).
• Best International Dance Film: ANYTHING WITH A SWITCH by Charli Brissey (USA).

Jury: Henrik Skotte (NOR), Sindre Sten Vik (NOR) and Mari Nilsen Neira (NOR).