From 9 to 13 November the 42^nd edition of the Northern Film Festival will take place! Just like last year, the festival will appear in hybrid form, with an online program available in addition to the atmospheric film festival you’re familiar with. As always, we maintain our Nordic Focus, but in 2022 we want to pay even more attention to the diversity and richness of the northern film landscape. That’s why our slogan for this year is ‘Faces of the North’.

About the festival

The Noordelijk Film Festival is a film festival in Leeuwarden that generally takes place around the second weekend of November every year. With around 20 thousand visitors counted over five days, the festival is one of the largest regional film festivals in the Netherlands. In 2019 it celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special longer edition. From 1976 to 1988, the first ten editions took place under the name Fries Film Festival. Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie has served as the festival centre for almost all years. Additionally, film theatre Slieker Film (in the Fries Museum) and Pathé Leeuwarden are two of our festival locations. This year once more, we’re moving into the province with a programme that includes De Lawei in Drachten and De Koornbeurs in Franeker.

Face The North!

The festival distinguishes itself from other festivals with its unique international and local Northern Focus. It is an extensive film expedition across a wide Northern Europe: from Iceland, through Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to the Nordic countries and the Baltic States. A strong selection of the latest international feature films and documentaries from this great northern region will share the screen with promising films from our own region. With its Noorderkroon programme, the Noordelijk Film Festival offers a platform and springboard for professional talents, students, and even amateur filmmakers, through screenings, competitions and talks.

EcoCinema

The Noordelijk Film Festival has set itself the goal to reduce its own footprint where possible and to organise a greener film festival. The festival also wants to inform and inspire its audience with new insights. The green and sustainable intentions are therefore also underlined with a new in-depth programme line called EcoCinema. This programme shows important films that offer enriching insights into topics such as climate change, pollution, and a more sustainable and better use of the planet. Wherever possible, these films are combined with introductions or debates with local partners who can provide the necessary context.

Side program and specials

Besides the Northern Focus, there are various side programs, with a number of new additions this year. Familiar programme elements such live music, various film & food events, and school screenings return. In addition, there will be some special programs such as a winter special in which footage of exceptionally cold Dutch winters is shown by the Frisian Film and Audio Archive.

Welcome to Friesland!

The Noordelijk Film Festival takes place in the heart of Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland (or Fryslân in ‘t Fries) and cultural capital of Europe in 2018. Visitors and guests from home and abroad praise the festival for its programming, hospitality, and great atmosphere. Come and experience it for yourself!