NoFF 2025: Thank you and we will see you next year!

With a spectacular screening of Amélie Live in Concert, the Northern Film Festival (NoFF) closed its 45th edition on Sunday evening. The French classic was accompanied by live music from The James Whale Orchestra. In keeping with tradition, the Noorderkroon Awards were also presented on the final day of the five-day film festival.

‘A full house at the opening on Wednesday, and again on the closing night – what a wonderful sight,’ says artistic director Henriëtte Poelman. ‘And in between, more than 100 short and feature films, the guest of honour on horseback, sold-out theatres, two days of fog and delayed international guests, a roaring film ball and hungover World Cup-winning porridge on Sunday morning… All in all, a memorable edition.’

Hester Terpstra, director-administrator of the organising foundation Film in Friesland, looks back with satisfaction: “It’s great to be confirmed in the enormous reach that the festival has. Not only in terms of visitor numbers, but also in terms of impact. We offer a platform for multiple disciplines and lots of emerging talent, which also helps us expand and broaden our audience.”

‘There were also many international guests this year,’ she continues. ‘They tell us that we have a unique combination, where a festival for a large audience goes hand in hand with a high-quality industry programme.’

Collaborations
In collaboration with Provinsje Fryslân and the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity, NoFF set up a sub-programme on film-making in small language areas. ‘There were wonderful, unexpected encounters and cross-pollinations, such as with the stage for Frisian poets. This leads to new collaborations and extra attention for local talent,’ says Terpstra. ‘And those international visitors really appreciate Leeuwarden and Friesland. That puts the province on the map.’

Visitors
This year, around 24,000 tickets were sold for more than a hundred films, documentaries and other programme components. This is a small increase compared to the previous edition. It was striking that this year many visitors found their way to the accessibility desk. For the second year in a row, this was available for festival-goers in wheelchairs.

Guest of honour Erlingsson on horseback to film introduction
This year’s guest of honour was Icelandic director and actor Benedikt Erlingsson. On Friday evening, he received the Award for Special Contribution to Northern Cinema. Afterwards, he discussed his work in detail in a Spotlight Talk.

On Saturday, the director introduced his latest series, The Danish Woman. It was a world premiere: never before had all six episodes been shown consecutively on the big screen. In the afternoon, he made a spectacular entrance for the introduction of his debut film Of Horses and Men. It was screened at the Hiddema State livery stable, just outside Leeuwarden. Erlingsson entered the improvised cinema – a horse arena in the riding school – on horseback, a glass of wine in his hand.

‘Visiting festivals can sometimes be hard work, but this festival made me realise that it can also be a lot of fun. I enjoyed myself immensely,’ said Erlingsson. ‘The Noordelijk is my favourite festival!’

Winners of the Noorderkroon Awards
In keeping with tradition, the Noorderkroon Awards were also presented on the final day of the festival. The jury – consisting of film journalist Fritz de Jong, film dramaturge and writer Gwyneth Sleutel, and film programmer Henk Klein Wassink – selected a winner in seven categories.

Vlam by Daphne Lucker was voted best feature film. According to the three-member jury, the best documentary was Yn myn dreamen hear ik dy by Murk-Jaep van der Schaaf, and Pocongdorie by Jasper ten Hoor & Ivan Hidayat was crowned the winner in the short fiction category.

Met huid en haar by Jasper van Leeningen received the award for best short documentary, and the jury selected Super Duper Mega Fan by Sarah van der Pers as the best student film. Écht? by Jonathan Bergsma & Jonathan Sipkema won in the category of best new filmmaker. The title of greatest up-and-coming talent went to Koud Water by Ayan Egal & Alexander Roux.

Audience Award
The film that received the highest rating from the audience will be announced on Monday 10 November at our website.

Next year, the Northern Film Festival will take place from 4 to 8 November. Will we see you there?