Programme elements
The Northern Film Festival stands out for its unique international programme with a focus on the north, and is aimed at both film-goers and filmmakers. The festival offers a wide-ranging programme that extends beyond film alone. Each year, the festival chooses an inspiring theme. In 2026, the theme will be ‘The Northern Film Festival continues the story’.
Nordic Focus
Every year, we fly out from Friesland to the North’s most beautiful cinematic settings in the north. Nordic Focus is the main programme of the Northern Film Festival, offering a strong selection of the latest international feature films and documentaries from this great northern region. Many films are specially imported from abroad and cannot (yet) be seen in Dutch cinemas and film theatres. This is also the reason why many films are subtitled in English.
Within the programme you will find a unique mix of feature films, ranging from absurd, dark, or lighthearted comedies to historical, psychological, or social dramas, and from productions from Scandinavian countries to films from the United Kingdom, Iceland, or the Baltic states. With the documentaries, we also present a nice picture of the cultural diversity within our broad Northern Europe. Be surprised, amazed and moved. Go on an adventure and discover films you would otherwise never see!
Noorderkroon
In addition to the Northern European selection in the main program, Noorderkroon showcases a wide range of recent films from the northern Netherlands. The Noorderkroon competition is a platform and springboard for film students, professional filmmakers, and amateur filmmakers. The films compete in six categories for a Noorderkroon Award, which will be presented during the festive award show on Sunday.
The films in this programme were all made by directors or producers living in or from Friesland, Groningen or Drenthe. It may also be that the story is set in one of these provinces. In any case, there is a strong connection to our own regional north. Lots of films in this selection will also have their premiere at the festival and makers will often be present for a Q&A!
Spotlight
Every year, the Noordelijk Film Festival puts a film professional who has made a special contribution to Northern Cinema in the spotlight. The festival honors this person with an Award and a Retrospective in which their work can be seen (again) on the big screen. In 2025, we welcomed actor and director Benedikt Erlingsson as our Spotlight guest. In 2024, it was Trine Dyrholm.
Sounds & Cinema
Within Sounds & Cinema, we present wonderful music documentaries and feature films in which music plays a major role. In addition, every year we program a special film screening with live musical accompaniment, featuring either a classic or a silent film.
Memmetaal
The majority of our visitors do understand Frysk. But what about Basque, Sami, Catalan, Kannada, Papiamento, or Sardinian? For the third year in a row, the Noordelijk Film Festival is presenting a selection of films from small language areas around the world. In addition, we are organizing several panels, discussions, and introductions on various aspects of making a film in a minority language, and on the importance and impact of a minority language as an expression of (cultural) identity.
Talent & Industry
While Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie is the heart of the festival, Post-Plaza is the heart of our annually expanding Talent & Industry program. In collaboration with New Noardic Wave, the Noordelijk Film Festival presents a diverse and ambitious program full of masterclasses, workshops, panels, and networking events to inspire film professionals and policymakers. Approximately half of all T&I events are also open to interested members of the regular festival audience. The T&I program is made possible in part by partners such as Screen Talent NL, CineNord, Screen Noord, Filmfluencer, and Actors Directors Collective.
Specials
Our specials programme consists of a number of special events that are slightly different from ‘just film’. We organize many of these events and film screenings in collaboration with other, mostly local parties. Think of an exciting Film Quiz, a special archive program with the Fries Film and Audio Archive, or a surprising guest program by the Assen International Film Festival.
Education
Through school screenings, more than two thousand primary and secondary school students are introduced to fine northern children’s films and the film festival. We collaborate with Schoolkade’s arts menu, but also invite all other schools in the province. A suitable film has been selected for each age group and free teaching materials are offered with each film, which are specially developed to accompany the films. More information on school screenings and film education can be found here.