‘Nightborn’ wins Best Film at the inaugural Freyas, the Nordic Film and TV Awards, while ‘The Danish Woman’ also takes top honors in Helsinki. The ceremony highlighted Nordic talent and marked a new milestone for regional cinema.

Finnish horror film Nightborn captured the Best Film prize at the inaugural Freyas, the newly launched Nordic Film and TV Awards, during a gala at Helsinki’s Finlandia Hall.

Director Hanna Bergholm helmed the feature, which stars Seidi Haarla – known for her lead role in Compartment No. 6 – alongside Rupert Grint. The pair portray a mother and son who confront a supernatural presence in a remote forest settlement.

“The most important thing is how …,” Bergholm said while accepting the award, underscoring the film’s emphasis on atmosphere over conventional jump scares.

In addition to the top honor for cinema, the ceremony recognized The Danish Woman with a leading award in the television category. The series, a period drama set in early‑20th‑century Denmark, earned praise for its production design and strong performances.

Finlandia Hall, an Art Deco landmark on the Helsinki waterfront, provided a striking backdrop for the event. Organizers highlighted the venue’s historic role in Finnish cultural life and its capacity to host a pan‑Nordic celebration.

Nordic Film and TV Awards chairperson Kristiina Räsänen praised the diversity of the nominees. “This evening signals a new chapter for the region’s storytellers,” she said. “By bringing film and television together, we create a platform that amplifies voices across borders.”

Industry observers noted that the Freyas aim to fill a gap left by larger European ceremonies, offering a dedicated forum for Nordic creators. The board announced plans to rotate the ceremony among major cities in the region, with the next edition slated for Copenhagen in 2025.

Bergholm’s win marks the first major accolade for a Finnish horror film on an international stage. She expressed hope that the recognition will attract wider audiences to Nordic genre cinema.

The Freyas concluded with a performance by a local choir, and attendees received commemorative medals featuring a stylized Viking ship, symbolizing the shared cultural heritage of the participating nations.