Writer Pelle Rådström wins the 2025 Nordic Series Script Award for Pressure Point
Pelle Rådström, the writer of Pressure Point, is the recipient of the 2025 Nordic Series Script Award. The award is presented by Nordisk Film & TV Fond as part of the Nordic Series Awards to celebrate excellence in Nordic drama series. Additionally, the first ever Creative Courage Award was given out. The winners were announced at an award ceremony during Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision on January 28.
The Nordic Series Script Award, previously known as the Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize honouring exceptional writing in Nordic drama, was handed out during TV Drama Vision. With a prize sum of NOK 200,000 (€17,000), funded by the Nordisk Film & TV Fond, it was awarded to the main writer of a Nordic drama series.
This year’s jury for the Nordic Series Script Award were Henriette Steenstrup, Actor and Screenwriter, Norway; Joanna Szymańska, Producer and CEO at SHIPsBOY, Poland; Linus Fremin, TV Critic and Creative Director at Make Your Mark, Sweden.
Jury statement:
“In a time when authentic, brave storytelling is rare, Pressure Point stands out as a series that resonates with the intelligence of its audience. Instead of simplifying complex human experiences, it delves deeply into themes of freedom of expression, criminal justice, and rehabilitation, presenting characters in a profoundly human way. Inspired by a real-life tragedy, it masterfully explores the consequences of good intentions going awry, challenging us to reflect on the fragility of democracy.
We proudly present this year’s Nordic Series Script Award to screenwriter Pelle Rådström for Pressure Point.”
Pressure Point (Smärtpunkten)
Sweden, 3x60´
Writer: Pelle Rådström
Storyline: Wilhelm Behrman, Niklas Rockström
Broadcaster: SVT
Produced by: Art & Bob
Producer: Martina Stöhr
Directed by: Sanna Lenken
Sales: ReInvent International Sales
Premiere: April 19, 2024
Renowned playwright Lars Norén and producer Isa Stenberg join forces with dangerous inmates, including Neo-Nazis, in a maximum security prison to create a new play. Amidst a contentious debate on freedom of speech and government oversight lapses, the prisoners exploit their freedom, leading to bank robberies and the emergence of a neo-Nazi organization. Tragically, their actions result in a double police murder, causing a nationwide scandal and profound trauma.
The Creative Courage Award went to the Norwegian series Dates in Real Life, produced by Petter Onstad Løkke and Synnøve Hørsdal from Maipo Film and commissioned by Marianne Furevold-Boland and Alec Thom from NRK. The honorary award celebrates the producer and commissioner of a series that boldly pushes creative boundaries and embraces innovation. The Creative Courage recipient is selected from a number of admissions by the Nordic streamers and broadcasters.
The Creative Courage Award winner was selected by Liselott Forsman, CEO Nordisk Film & TV Fond and Cia Edström, Head of TV Drama Vision, Göteborg Film Festival.
Motivation:
“It is funny, ironic, and touching. The first-ever Creative Courage series award goes to a brave producer-commissioner collaboration that has brought something wonderfully fresh to our Nordic industry. This inspiring series renews the romantic comedy genre, combines animation with live-action and offers an insightful take on dating in a world where a virtual life might feel safer than a real one. Thank you, NRK and Maipo, for making Jakob Rørvik’s series Dates in Real Life happen to the joy of us all.
The award goes to producers Petter Onstad Løkke and Synnøve Hørsdal from Maipo Film and to the commissioners Marianne Furevold-Boland and Alec Thom from the Norwegian broadcasting company NRK.”
Dates in Real Life
Norway, 7x25’
Written by: Jakob Rørvik
Broadcaster: NRK Commissioners: Marianne Furevold-Boland and Alec Thom Produced by: Maipo Film
Producer: Petter Onstad Løkke, Synnøve Hørsdal
Directed by: Jakob Rørvik Sales: Dynamic Television
Ida spends most of her life online. When her boyfriend Marvin, whom she's never met in person, suddenly announces he's dating another woman IRL, her world collapses. Ida sets out on a quest to find her own physical partner, while never losing hope of getting back with Marvin.
Earlier winners of the award, previously known as the Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize, have been Norway’s Johan Fasting, Silje Storstein and Kristin Grue Norway’s for Power Play (2024) Kenneth Karlstad for the series Kids in Crime (2023), Iceland’s Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson and Mikael Torfason for the crime series Blackport (2022), Denmark’s Maja Jul Larsen for the drama Cry Wolf (2021) Norway’s Sara Johnsen for the drama 22 July (2020), Finland’s Merja Aakko and Mika Ronkainen for the crime series All the Sins (2019), Denmark’s Adam Price for the drama Ride Upon the Storm (2018), and Norway’s Mette. M. Bølstad and Stephen Uhlander for the political drama Nobel (2017).
Photos of the winners by Jenny Duan.