Writer Kenneth Karlstad wins the 2023 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize for Kids in Crime

Kenneth Karlstad, the writer of Kids in Crime, is the recipient of the 2023 Nordic drama screenwriting award. This was announced at an award ceremony during Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision on February 1. 

For the seventh consecutive year, the award for outstanding writing of a Nordic drama series was handed out at TV Drama Vision. The NOK 200 000 (approx € 20 000) award, funded by Nordisk Film & TV Fond, was awarded to the main writer(s) of the series. 

Kenneth Karlstad is a Norwegian director and screenwriter for fiction, music videos and commercials. His debut short film The Hunger earned him a Young Director Award at Cannes 2019 and the Film Critics Award at The Norwegian Short Film Festival. He’s also won several awards for his work on music videos. Kids in Crime is his long-format debut.

Jury statement: 
”The jury is thankful for the possibility to watch and read series from across the Nordic countries. We have based our evaluation on three main criteria: craft, relevance and originality. The winner has it all. It’s based on a true universe from a certain time. The authenticity, honesty, brutality and friendship drive the story and engage the audience. Accuracy, details, music, it’s all in the script! The writer really owns the story.” 

This years’ jury consisted of Amanda Collin, Actor, Denmark; Nebojša Taraba, producer, Croatia; Wanda Bendjelloul, journalist and critic, Sweden; Leif Holst Jensen, producer and Dean of faculty, TV and Games, Innland University of Applied Sciences, Norway. 

Norway, 8×22’   
Co-writer: Audun Fagervold Hansen  
Commissioner: TV2 Norge   
Produced by: Einar Film Drama   
Producers: Brede Hovland, Teodor Sven Bø & Pål Kruke Kristiansen   
Director: Kenneth Karlstad   
Sales: Federation Studios   
Premiere: November 25, 2022  

Kids in Crime is an unusual coming-of-age series set in the year 2001. The series is about the three teens, Tommy, Pål and Monica, who get into trouble after incurring a large debt to the local drug lord Freddy Hell. In the midst of this chaos, they move into a house, to party and use as much drugs as possible. But all parties come to an end, and this particular end could be bloody.  

Earlier winners of the coveted Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize were 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). 

For the seventh consecutive year, five drama series from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden have been nominated for the prize, which will be awarded to the main writer(s). The Nordic TV Drama Screenplay Award is worth NOK 200,000 (€20,000) and is funded by Nordisk Film & TV Fond. The 2023 winner(s) will be announced at an award ceremony on the evening of February 1, 2023. 

Svo lengi sem við lifum
Iceland, 6×40’ 
Nominated writer: Aníta Briem   
Commissioner: Channel 2 Iceland  
Produced by: Glassriver  
Producer: Arnbjörg Hafliðadóttir 
Director: Katrín Björgvinsdóttir  
Sales: Eccho Rights 
Premiere: Q3 2023

Beta, a once promising musician finds herself in a marriage at a breaking point, achingly lonely and struggling to be the mother she wants to be to her toddler in the attempt to live inside the neat little box she thinks societal norms require of her.  When their new au-pair, a young man, starts to propose little “flirting-assignments” for them to do, Beta is in for a roller coaster ride… 

Händelser vid vatten
Sweden, 6×58’  
Nominated writers: Maren Louise Käehne, Karin Arrhenius   
Commissioner: SVT   
Produced by: Apple Tree Productions   
Producers: Piv Bernth, Helene Lindholm
Director: Mikael Marcimain   
Sales agent: ITV Studios 
Premiere: January 13 (SVT Play), January 15 (SVT 1) 

On a Midsummer’s night in 1973, two tourists are found murdered in a tent, far up in the mountains of Northern Sweden, near the small town of Blackwater. An incident that intersects the lives of three random people, intertwining their destinies for better and for worse. And which, after years of repression, is brought back to life, interfering with the lives they now lead. The series is based on Kerstin Ekman’s award-winning novel Blackwater (Händelser Vid Vatten). 

Denmark, 8×58’  
Nominated writer: Mette Heeno  
Commissioner: DR  
Produced by: DR Drama  
Producer: Stinna Lassen  
Directors: Natasha Arthy, Christian Tafdrup, Josefine Kirkeskov, Lisa Jespersen  
Sales agent: DR Sales 
Premiere: September 30, 2022, DRTV

Carmen Curlers is about the entrepreneur Axel Byvang and his resourceful housewife Birthe Windfeld who starts the fastest growing enterprise in the world in the 1960s: Carmen Curlers. The story accelerates in 1963 when Axel stumbles across an invention: the electric curler. In spite of many obstacles, debts and the locals who think he is crazy, he and Birthe manage to create an international success.

Rosvopankki
Finland, 8×42-48’  
Nominated writer: Matti Kinnunen  
Co-writer: Mikko Reitala 
Commissioner: Elisa Viihde 
Produced by: Moskito Television  
Producer: Mari Kinnunen  
Director: Matti Kinnunen   
Sales agent: Fremantle  
Premiere: March 2023 

In the late 1980s as banking became unregulated in Finland, international capital and investment flowed into the country sparking the biggest banking war in Finnish history. Inspired by real life events, this drama thriller focuses on questions of justice, human dignity, and the might of money and power. What happens when greed gets out of control

Norway, 8×22’  
Nominated writer: Kenneth Karlstad  
Co-writer: Audun Fagervold Hansen 
Commissioner: TV2 Norge  
Produced by: Einar Film Drama  
Producers: Brede Hovland, Teodor Sven Bø & Pål Kruke Kristiansen  
Director: Kenneth Karlstad  
Sales: Federation Studios  
Premiere: November 25, 2022  

Kids in Crime is an unusual coming-of-age series, set in the year 2001. The series is about the three teens, Tommy, Pål and Monica, who get into trouble after incurring a large debt to the local drug lord Freddy Hell. In the midst of this chaos, they move into a house, to party and use as much drugs as possible. But all parties come to an end, and this particular end could be bloody. 

Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize for outstanding writing of a Nordic Drama series is presented by the Göteborg Film Festival, the first of its kind in the Nordic region. For the seventh consecutive year, five drama series from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden have been nominated for the prize, which will be awarded to the main writer(s). The Nordic TV Drama Screenplay Award is worth NOK 200,000 (€20,000) and is funded by Nordisk Film & TV Fond. The 2023 winner(s) will be announced at an award ceremony on the evening of February 1, 2023. 

The Nordic countries have stood out lately as one of the most engaging regions for drama series in the world. As a result of TV Drama Vision, Göteborg Film Festival has established itself as the most important meeting place in the Nordics for the international TV industry. In 2016, a new section Nordic Light: TV Drama was introduced within the festival programme, showcasing a wide range of new Nordic TV drama. The Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize is another step in the festival’s commitment to drama series.

Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson and Mikael Torfason, writers of Blackport (Verbúðin), was the recipients of the 2022 Nordic TV Drama Screenplay Award. Directed by Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, María Reyndal, produced by Nana Alfredsdóttir, Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Nina Dögg Filippusdóttir (Vesturport), sales by About Premium Content. The 2022 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consisted of Finnish actor Alma Pöysti, Hungarian writer and creative producer Gábor Krigler, Norwegian screenwriter and director Julie Andemand , Swedish journalist and television critic Mattias Bergqvist.

All nominated series 2022:
Blackport (Verbúðin), Iceland. Nominated writers: Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Mikael Torfason (2022 winner)
Countrymen (Jordbrukerne), Norway. Nominated writers: Izer Aliu, Anne Bjørnstad
Suburbia (Vi i villa), Sweden. Nominated writer: Tove Eriksen Hillblom
The Shift (Det største), Denmark. Nominated writer: Lone Scherfig
Transport (Transport), Finland. Nominated writer: Auli Mantila

Maja Jul Larsen, writer of Cry Wolf (Ulven kommer), was the recipient of the 2021 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Pernille Fischer Christensen, May El-Toukhy, Samanou Sahlstrøm and Niclas Bendixen, produced by Claudia Saginario (DR Drama). Sales by DR Sales. The 2021 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consists of Swedish actor Evin Ahmad (Snabba Cash), THIS – Future Stories & Engagement Felicia Elisabeth Jackson , Head of International Content Development at Mediapro Studio Ran Tellem.

All nominated series 2021
Cry Wolf (Ulven kommer), Denmark. Nominated writers: Maja Jul Larsen (2021 winner)
Cargo (Rahti), Finland. Nominated writer: Matti Kinnunen
Sisterhood (Systrabönd), Iceland. Nominated writer: Jóhann Ævar Grímsson
Thin Blue Line (Tunna blå linjen), Sweden. Nominated writer: Cilla Jackert
Welcome to Utmark (Velkommen til Utmark), Norway. Nominated writers: Kim Fupz Aakeson

Sara Johnsen, the writer of 22 July (22.juli), was the recipients of the 2020 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Pål Sletaune and produced by Elisabeth Tangen and Per Berge Engebretsen (NRK Drama). International distributor: Digital Rights Group(DRG). The 2020 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consists of acclaimed Norwegian actor Jakob Oftebro (Agent Hamilton, Kon-Tiki), Swedish actor Moa Gammel (Jordskott, Tommy), Polish award-winning producer and director Dariusz Jabłoński (Photographer, The Pleasure Principle) and Norwegian journalist Cecilie Asker (Aftenposten).

All nominated series 2020
22. July (22.juli), Norway. Nominated writer: Sara Johnsen (2020 winner)
Caliphate (Kalifat), Sweden. Nominated writers: Wilhelm Behrman and Niklas Rockström
Happily Never After (Pabbahelgar), Iceland. Nominated writer: Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
The Paradise (Paratiisi), Finland. Nominated writer: Matti Laine
When the Dust Settles (Når støvet har lagt sig), Denmark. Nominated writers: Dorte Høgh and Ida Maria Rydén

Merja Aakko and Mika Ronkainen, writers of All the Sins (Kaikki Synnit), were the recipients of the 2019 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Mika Ronkainen and produced by Ilkka Matila (MRP Matila Röhr Productions Oy) for Elisa Viihde. International distributor: SKY Vision. The 2019 jury consisted of Finnish actress Laura Birn (The Innocents, A Walk Among the Tombstones), Swedish actor Alexander Karim (The Lawyer, Tyrant, Zero Dark Thirty), Swedish/American journalist and TV and podcast producer Christina Jeurling Birro (Pop Culture Confidential) and British content consultant and producer Justin Judd (Hulu, Content Media Corporation, Nevision)

All nominated series 2019
All the Sins (Kaikki Synnit), Finland. Nominated writers: Merja Aakko and Mika Ronkainen (2019 winner)
The Flatey Enigma (Flatey Jargátan), Iceland. Nominated writer: Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
The Inner Circle (Den inre cirkeln), Sweden. Nominated writer: Håkan Lindhé

Kieler Street (Kielergata), Norway. Nominated writers: Stig Frode Henriksen, Jesper Sundnes, Patrik Syversen
The New Nurses (Sygeplejeskolen), Denmark. Nominated writers: Claudia Boderke, Lars Mering
State of Happiness (Lykkeland), Norway. Nominated writer: Mette M. Bølstad

Adam Price, writer of the Danish TV series Ride Upon the Storm (Herrens veje), was the recipient of the 2018 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize. Directed by Kaspar Munk and produced by Camilla Hammerich at DR Drama for DR. International distributor: Studiocanal. The 2018 jury consisted of jury president Walter Iuzzolino, Italy/UK, TV executive/curator of the streaming service Walter Presents; Sofia Helin, Sweden, actress (Bron/The Bridge) and Kirpi Uimonen Ballesteros, Finland, entertainment journalist, board member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association TV committee.

All nominated series 2018
Ride Upon the Storm (Herrens veje) Denmark. Nominated writer: Adam Price (2018 winner)
Stella Blómkvist, Iceland. Nominated writers: Jóhann Ævar Grímsson, Andri Óttarsson and Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
The Lawyer (Advokaten), Sweden. Nominated writers: Karin Gidfors and Charlotte Lesche
Deadwind (Karppi), Finland. Nominated writers: Rike Jokela, Kirsi Porkka and Jari Olavi Rantala
Borderliner (Grenseland), Norway. Nominated writers: Megan Gallagher, Alexander Opsal, Bjørn Ekeberg

The first Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize in 2017 was awarded to Nobel (Norway) written by Stephen Uhlander and Mette M. Bølstad. The series is directed by Per-Olav Sørensen and produced by Håkon Briseid and Tone Rønning from Monster Scripted. The 2017 Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize jury consisted of Head of Jury Lars Blomgren Managing Director at Filmlance (Sweden), LA-based Swedish-American producer Gudrun Giddings from G4C Innovation (USA), Drama Consultant Isabelle Pechou (Denmark/France) and Film/TV critic Leena Virtanen (Finland).

All nominated series 2017
Nobel, Norway. Nominated writers: Mette. M. Bølstad and Stephen Uhlander  (2017 winner)
The Bonus Family (Bonusfamiljen), Sweden. Nominated writer: Jesper Harrie
The Day Will Come (Der kommer en dag), Denmark. Nominated writer: Søren Sveistrup
Love and Order (Myrskyn Jälkeen), Finland. Nominated writer: Kaarina Hazard and Leea Klemola
Prisoners (Fangar), Iceland. Nominated writers: Ragnar Bragason and Margrét Örnólfsdóttir