‘The Tudors’ Anita Briem, ITV Studios, Fremantle, Federation, DR will fight for the Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize 2023

ITV Studios, Fremantle and Federation Studios, in partnership with Apple Tree Productions, Elisa Viihde and TV 2 Norge , will take on Nordic giants Glassriver and DR in next year's Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize, which promises to highlight the wide range of Scandinavian scripted series today.

Supported by the Gothenburg Film Festival and Nordisk Film & TV Fond, the 7th edition of the Prize, awarded to series' main writers, also seems set to shine a light on high-profile and burgeoning writing talent such as Icelandic Anita Briem, who played Jean Seymour in 'The Tudors', and Finnish creator-director Matti Kinnunen, whose "Cargo" was considered one of the top contenders for the 2021 award.

With a cash prize of €20,000 ($21,000), the prize will be awarded on February 1 at the Lead Writer of the Winning Series at TV Drama Vision, the Gothenburg Film Festival Conference Event and Series Market.

"There is a wealth of genres and styles in our region today, which is reflected clearly in the selection. I look forward to hearing these talented writers share their thoughts on stage in Gothenburg and, of course, the final thoughts of the jury, who, again, will have a tough job,” said Liselott Forsman, CEO of Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

"This year's selection of series truly shows the multifaceted quality of Nordic drama and the rich diversity of creative talents in the region,” added Cia Edström, head of TV Drama Vision.

If the shows share a common denominator, it is their vision of the issues that now determine or erode the fabric of modern society. The Finnish banking crisis, says Kinnunen. "Kids in Crime" probes the quick-fun mentality of much of today's youth, deprived of longer-term prospects. "Carmen Curlers" describes how the wives of farmworkers entered the workforce from the 1960s, gaining economic independence for the first time in history, said Metto Heeno, its lead author. p>

A quick overview of the five titles:

"As long as we live" ("Svo lengi sem við lifum", Iceland)

Nominated Writer: Aníta Briem. Curator: Channel 2 Iceland. Produced by: Glassriver. Producer: Arnbjörg Hafliðadónr. Director: Katrín Björgvinsdónr. Sales: Eccho Rights. Premiere: 3rd Quarter 2023

Produced by Icelandic Glassriver, whose "Black Sands" stood out at the Berlinale Series 2022 , Briem's ​​debut as a creative writer. Inspired by his personal experience, he turns to Beta, once a musician with a future, now a role model mother in a relationship that's going nowhere — until an au pair suggests she and her husband start " flirting missions". “An ode to love, to marriage, whatever form you choose,” says Briem. But also “an ode to curiosity, to the spark in us. An ode to the joy of living.”