The 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival has unveiled its full programme, offering Australian audiences a rare and thrilling insight into the depth, diversity and cinematic mastery of the Nordic region.

Screening across Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas this July and August, the festival celebrates the finest new films from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

This year’s centrepiece film is the 2025 Cannes Grand Prix winner Sentimental Value is a deeply emotional and richly layered drama that has captivated critics and audiences alike. A standout from this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Sentimental Value exemplifies the nuanced storytelling and evocative landscapes that have become hallmarks of contemporary Scandinavian cinema.

In a significant new development for the festival, Hurtigruten joins as naming rights partner. Known for their deep roots in the Nordic region and more than 130 years of travel expertise along Norway’s famed coastline, Hurtigruten brings an authentic connection to the stories and settings being showcased on screen.

“We’re proud to be the naming sponsor of the 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival,” said Damien Perry, Managing Director APAC, Hurtigruten. “As the original and undisputed travel expert in Scandinavia and along Norway’s stunning coastline, Hurtigruten has always been about genuine and authentic experiences with a deep connection to the Nordic people. Partnering with Palace to celebrate the richness of Scandinavian storytelling is a natural extension of who we are. This festival reflects the culture, landscapes, and spirit of the North that we love to share with the world.”

The 2025 programme brings together gripping thrillers, compelling dramas, sharp comedies, and award-winning documentaries, all selected to reflect the social, political, and emotional complexities of life across the Nordic region. Whether exploring intimate family dynamics, environmental urgency, or the stark beauty of remote landscapes, the festival promises to provoke and inspire.

Festivalgoers can look forward to standout titles from acclaimed filmmakers alongside emerging voices, all offering a distinctly Scandinavian lens on universal themes of identity, belonging, love and loss. Many films are accompanied by exclusive introductions and filmmaker insights, enhancing the cultural experience for Australian audiences.

The Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival has become a highly anticipated annual event, renowned for its curation of sophisticated, artful, and accessible Nordic cinema. With a programme that spans everything from icy noir to sunlit romance, this year’s edition is poised to be one of the most memorable yet.

For session times, venues and the full list of films, visit:
🎬 www.scandinavianfilmfestival.com