The 2026 Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival is screening nationally through the wintry months of July and August at Palace, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas. Featuring the best new cinema from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, this year’s formidable line-up showcases cinematic legends, breathtaking landscapes and the unique storytelling and profound cultural insights that has earned Nordic cinema a distinct place in the film world.
Opening the festival is the powerful Icelandic drama ÁRRU from debut director Elle Sofe Sara. Weaving together grounded drama with bursts of exquisite traditional song (joik) and movement, the film draws on cultural expression to explore a breathtakingly genuine connection to the environment.
In a festival exclusive, the highly anticipated FJORD, direct from winning the Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, screens as the Festival Centrepiece.
Screened in a Special Presentation, BUTTERFLY is an intriguing drama about a pair of estranged sisters who reunite after their mother’s sudden passing.
Winner of the Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film at the 2026 Göteborg Film Festival, THE LAST RESORT (Paradis), is an absorbing drama that follows a Danish family on holiday at an all-inclusive resort.
Closing the festival is the 60th anniversary screening of Ingmar Bergman’s masterpiece PERSONA. Liv Ullmann, in the first of many iconic collaborations with the director, plays a screen actress who has fallen into an unexplained silence.
These films and many more will screen nationally from 9 July. Check full Festival dates below.
The Scoop is giving away five, in-season double passes to the Nordic Film Festival, thanks to Palace Cinemas!
Head to our Instagram page or our Facebook page to enter the competition. Simply give us a follow, like the post and comment ‘Scoop’ and ‘your city name‘ under the post.
The tickets are valid for all Nordic Film Festival sessions, pending availability, except special event screenings.
The 2026 Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival runs from 9 July, with dates varying in each city.
See full city dates and venues below.
Website: https://nordicfilmfestival.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/nordicfilmfest/
Hero image: Still from Árru.
2026 Festival Dates and Venues by City:
Canberra: 9 July – 2 August, Palace Electric
Melbourne: 10 July – 2 August, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Church St, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre
Ballarat: 10 July – 2 August, Palace Regent Cinema
Brisbane: 22 July – 16 August, Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Adelaide: 22 July – 16 August, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Sydney: 23 July – 16 August, Palace Norton St, Palace Moore Park and Palace Central
Perth: 23 July – 16 August, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Palace Raine Square
Byron Bay and Ballina: 23 July – 16 August, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
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