Layla Zulfa
The Norwegian film industry reached a crescendo of prestige and celebration this week as the Amanda Awards—the nation’s most coveted cinematic honors—concluded in a spectacular ceremony. While the evening featured a diverse array of talent and historical retrospectives, the undeniable narrative of the night was the total dominance of Joachim Trier’s latest masterpiece, Sentimental Value.
In a display of artistic prowess that echoed his previous global successes, Trier’s film swept the board, securing eight statuettes and cementing its status as the defining Norwegian motion picture of the year. The ceremony, hosted by the charismatic duo of Vegard Larsen and Linnea Myhre and produced by Monster for national broadcaster NRK, served as both a coronation for current masters of the craft and a poignant tribute to the industry’s enduring legends.
The Main Facts: A Sweep for the Ages
The Amanda Awards, held annually to recognize excellence in Norwegian film, saw Sentimental Value emerge as the undisputed juggernaut. The film did not merely win; it monopolized the major categories, reflecting a rare consensus among the voting body regarding its technical and narrative superiority.
Joachim Trier, already an Oscar-winning director, claimed the top honors for Best Norwegian Film and Best Director. Furthermore, his long-standing partnership with screenwriter Eskil Vogt was once again validated, with the duo taking home the award for Best Screenplay. Beyond these marquee categories, Sentimental Value dominated the technical and craft fields, winning for Best Supporting Role (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), Best Cinematography (Kasper Tuxen Andersen), Best Editing (Olivier Bugge Coutté), Best Production Design (Jørgen Stangebye Larsen), and Best Makeup Design (Trine Morland).
While the evening belonged to Trier, the industry also took time to recognize international contributions. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was awarded the Amanda for Best Foreign Language Film, a nod to the global cross-pollination of cinema that continues to influence Norwegian audiences and creators alike.
Chronology of the Night: From Red Carpet to Final Statuette
The evening unfolded with the rhythmic precision expected of such a prestigious gala. As the sun dipped below the horizon in Haugesund, the red carpet hummed with the energy of Norway’s most prominent cultural figures.
The Opening Acts: The ceremony began with a series of technical awards, setting a high bar for production quality. Early in the night, the craft of filmmaking was brought to the forefront, as the jury highlighted the often-overlooked pillars of sound design and visual effects. The win for A Mouse Hunt for Christmas in the Best Visual Effects category signaled a shift toward celebrating both high-art drama and high-quality family entertainment.
The Mid-Show Momentum: As the broadcast moved into the acting categories, the tone shifted from technical appreciation to emotional resonance. Pia Tjelta’s second Amanda win—this time for her searing performance in Don’t Call Me Mama—was met with a standing ovation, highlighting her sustained importance to the Norwegian acting landscape. Shortly thereafter, the announcement of the People’s Amanda provided the audience with a chance to voice their preferences, with the historical drama The Battle of Oslo taking the prize.
The Climax: The final hour of the ceremony was dominated by the Sentimental Value juggernaut. As the awards for Screenplay, Direction, and finally, Best Norwegian Film were handed to Trier and his team, the room recognized that they were witnessing a rare, defining moment in contemporary film history.
The Creative Alchemy: Trier and Vogt’s Partnership
The success of Sentimental Value has sparked renewed interest in the collaborative process between Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt. In a candid interview earlier this year, the pair described their partnership as a "safe space"—an island of quiet in an industry defined by mounting noise.
"There’s a lot of stuff going on when you make and release films," Trier told Variety in January. "We both like to go back to that safe space and rediscover that calm where it’s just our two voices. We are fortunate enough that our films generate more and more noise that we have to shut out, so when we work, we make it personal and small again."
Vogt, who has been Trier’s creative confidant for decades, spoke of the psychological benefits of their work routine. "When I write alone, I procrastinate. When I’m procrastinating with Joachim, even if I haven’t done anything, at least I got to spend a day with my friend."
Trier echoed this sentiment with characteristic warmth, emphasizing the rarity of such a bond in the volatile world of filmmaking. "Eskil is my longest relationship outside of my parents," Trier noted. "We don’t need to be silly romantic about it, but we have to be honest: it’s a real gift."
Historical Echoes: The Success of ‘The Battle of Oslo’
While Sentimental Value swept the professional categories, the People’s Amanda went to The Battle of Oslo, a film that resonated deeply with the Norwegian public’s historical consciousness. Director Daniel Fahre’s depiction of the sinking of the German cruiser Blücher serves as a bridge between cold military history and the lived experience of those who were there.
"It is one of the most famous events in our history," Fahre explained during the ceremony. "Some people are calling it the single most important event during WWII in Norway. We kept it quite accurate, but we had to look for its emotional side, because there’s no mention of that in military reports. I am sure Colonel Eriksen had doubts; that he was afraid. But nobody wrote about it. I wanted to follow the facts and see what was hiding behind them."
This desire to "see behind the facts" resonated with the voting public, demonstrating that Norwegian audiences remain deeply invested in stories that humanize their national heritage.
Recognizing the Craftsmen: Honorary Awards and the Golden Clapper
The Amanda Committee’s decision to honor Per Christian Ellefsen with the Honorary Award served as one of the evening’s most poignant moments. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Elling, the jury praised Ellefsen as one of Norway’s most beloved actors. "Few characters in Norwegian cinema have been as beloved," the jury stated, noting that "while he struggles through three successful films, Per Christian Ellefsen certainly masters the role of Elling to perfection."
Furthermore, the "Golden Clapper" was awarded to casting directors Mette Holme Nielsen and Jannecke Bervell, a move that the committee framed as a necessary elevation of an underrated profession.
"Casting is one of the most crucial elements in film and TV production, yet it is also one of the most underrated," the jury argued. "It is in the casting process that the script meets the actors, and this is where the foundation for credibility, chemistry, and cohesion is laid." By honoring Nielsen (known for Kitchen Stories) and Bervell (known for Kon-Tiki), the Amanda Awards underscored the importance of the invisible labor that transforms a script into a living, breathing production.
Implications: The Future of Norwegian Cinema
The 2025 Amanda Awards suggest a healthy, if polarized, landscape for Norwegian cinema. On one hand, the intellectual, character-driven work of auteurs like Joachim Trier continues to set the standard for critical acclaim and international recognition. On the other, the success of The Battle of Oslo indicates that historical dramas—when executed with emotional depth—retain a powerful hold on the domestic box office.
The inclusion of international winners like Paul Thomas Anderson also highlights the symbiotic relationship between Norway and the global film market. As Norwegian directors continue to export their sensibilities, and as international directors continue to influence local tastes, the "Norwegian film" is becoming a more fluid, ambitious category.
The awards also shed light on the structural evolution of the industry. By prioritizing the recognition of casting directors and technical craft, the Amanda Committee is signaling that the industry is moving toward a more holistic view of success—one that moves beyond the singular vision of the director to acknowledge the collective, cross-departmental effort required to bring a film to the screen.
As the curtains fall on another year of cinematic achievements, the industry turns its eyes toward the next cycle. If Sentimental Value is any indication, the bar for quality has been raised to an unprecedented height. For the next generation of Norwegian filmmakers, the challenge is clear: follow the path of the personal, the honest, and the meticulously crafted, and the audience—and the critics—will follow.
Official List of Winners
Best Norwegian Film: Sentimental Value (Dir: Joachim Trier)
Best Director: Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value
Best Screenplay: Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value
Best Performance in a Leading Role: Pia Tjelta, Don’t Call Me Mama
Best Performance in a Supporting Role: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
Newcomer of the Year: Anna Drakopoulou Sverrisdóttir, Brightly Shining
Best Children’s Film: A Mouse Hunt for Christmas
Best Documentary: Flophouse America
Best Production Design: Jørgen Stangebye Larsen, Sentimental Value
The People’s Amanda: The Battle of Oslo
Best Sound Design: Johannes Dekko, Rally from Paris to the Pyramids
Best Makeup Design: Trine Morland, Sentimental Value
Best Editing: Olivier Bugge Coutté, Sentimental Value
Best Cinematography: Kasper Tuxen Andersen, Sentimental Value
Best Original Score: Ola Kvernberg, Rally from Paris to the Pyramids
Best Visual Effects: A Mouse Hunt for Christmas
Best Costume Design: Alva Brosten, Brightly Shining
Best Short Film: Fata Morgana
Honorary Award: Per Christian Ellefsen
Golden Clapper: Mette Holme Nielsen and Jannecke Bervell
Best Foreign Language Film: One Battle After Another (Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson)
Sagoh
Rifan Muazin
