Denmark submits Gothenburg-Filmed The Girl with the Needle by Magnus von Horn, while Norway nominates Armand by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel for the Oscar’s Shortlist
The American Academy has selected its shortlist of 15 films in the International Feature Film category for the upcoming Oscars. Among them, Denmark is represented by Magnus von Horn’s Gothenburg-filmed The Girl with the Needle (Flickan med nålen), while Norway has submitted Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel’s Armand. Additionally, Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice is nominated for Best Make-Up and Hair. All three films are co-produced with Film i Väst.
A total of 85 countries submitted entries, and now the list has been narrowed to 15. On January 17, 2025, the shortlist will be further reduced to five final nominees who will compete for the golden statue at the Oscars in Los Angeles on March 2.
Magnus von Horn’s The Girl with the Needle has achieved significant international acclaim since premiering in the main competition at Cannes, where it contended for the Palme d’Or. The film, Denmark’s Oscar entry, has been featured at numerous festivals, including the Toronto and London Film Festivals. The Swedish co-producer is Nordisk Film. Last week, the film was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best International Film (Non-English Language) and also won two awards at the European Film Awards.
Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel’s Armand received the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, an award recognizing debut directors. At the European Film Awards, it won the corresponding prize, European Discovery – Prix Fipresci. The Swedish co-producer is Prolabs Produktion.
Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice explores the rise of a young Donald Trump through a Faustian pact with the influential lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn. The film has garnered significant attention, particularly in the United States, and has been screened in cinemas worldwide. It was also a Palme d’Or nominee. The Swedish co-producer is Hobab.
