Program
The Program Committee statement
After watching through all the submissions, it is tempting to conclude: The golden age of short films and short documentaries is now! The general level is very high – the films are professionally made, thought-provoking, crazy, serious and personal.
We have seen films with classic Grimstad-themes such as young relationships, alienation, exclusion and mental health, and at the same time notice new trends: Filmmakers who problematize technology, climate, war and people on the run. And most clearly: the relationship between humans and nature. Many of this year’s submissions have let us get close to the landscapes we risk losing, and what kind of interaction we want to have with animals.
We selected the films that excited, provoked and impressed us the most, and are proud of this year’s program. At the same time, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has submitted their films – it has been a great privilege to see them all. To those of you who did not make it to the main program this time: Continue the cinematic exploration! Thank you very much for sharing your stories.
EINAR AARVIG, MONA HOEL, NORA KRUSE & ANITA SVINGEN • APRIL 10th 2025
EINAR AARVIG
Einar Aarvig is a film critic with a background from TV 2, Filmmagasinet, Vårt land, Dagbladet, Z Filmtidsskrift, Aftenposten, P4, Rushprint, TBA and the journal PLAN. Autumn 2024 he published a book about the Norwegian film “Døden på Oslo S” / “Death at Oslo Central”.
MONA HOEL
Award-winning film director, screenwriter and producer. Directed the feature films: «Natt», 2022, «Skal dere gå allerede?» 2019, «Salto, salmiakk og kaffe» 2004, «Når nettene blir lange» 2000. «Noe sättäring», 1995. She has also directed the episode «Svev» as part of the feature film «Pust på meg», 1997, the TV Drama «Høsten’s første bilde», 1993. In addiction to this the short films «Bli med meg til det hellige fjell», Berlinale Panorama 1997, «Skønheten eller üdyret», Leipzig. Board member of the Norwegian Dramatists’ Association, and has twice received the state’s artist grant. She has produced the feature film «Eallogierdu-Tundraens voktere» by Sara Margrethe Oskal, which had its world premiere in the Discovery section at TIFF Toronto in 2023, and the award-winning short film «Smertesterskel» by Marianne Ulrichsen. Currently she is developing the script for her sixth feature film, «Så du jeg’et mitt, synke?» and Marianne Ulrichsen’s feature film debut, «Krigerhjerte».
NORA KRUSE
Nora Kruse is a Norwegian film scholar and curator based in Stockholm, Sweden. She has a background from several of Norway’s largest film festivals and has worked with film promotion and distribution for film clubs all over the country. Kruse is particularly engaged in alternative screening formats and independent film culture. Currently, her work includes arranging independent screenings and festivals with a focus on narrow and short experimental films.
Anita Svingen has been with the Norwegian Short Film Festival since 2006, and became the Festival manager in 2012. She has a bachelor’s degree in Film and Television Studies from the University of Westminster in London, and has experience as producer and program manager at SBS Radio.
She has worked in Norwegian television production for over a decade, including for companies such as Rubicon and Dinamo. Anita is involved in several organizations and festivals, such as Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival, where she is on the board of directors.