The Helsinki Effect is the Finnish nominee for the Nordic Council Film Prize
Nordisk Film & TV Fond announced the seven nominees for the Prize today.
Image: The Helsinki Effect / Polygraf
The Finnish national jury selected The Helsinki Effect as the country’s Nordic Council Film Prize nominee. The documentary film is among the seven titles looking to win the Prize worth 300 000 DKK (approx. 41 000 euros).
The Helsinki Effect is an archival documentary essay film about the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe which took place 50 years ago, in the midst of the Cold War. The film is written and directed by Arthur Franck and produced by Franck, Sandra Enkvist and Oskar Forstén. Its world premiere was in CPH:DOX last March.
The jury motivation:
“The Helsinki Effect shows how a film can be more than just the sum of its parts. The documentary feature, written and directed by Arthur Franck, is based entirely on archival material and demonstrates the subtle art of selection and narration. It breathes life into history with insightful connections, new and enlightening interpretations, and humour. The strength of the film lies in its surprising topicality, which is not expected in a documentary film focusing on political history from half a century ago. During these uncertain times,The Helsinki Effect is a gripping reminder that all things happen in time. The film is produced by Franck, Sandra Enkvist and Oskar Forstén.”
The members of the Finnish national jury were Marjo Pipinen (Chair), Tytti Rantanen and Kalle Kinnunen.
The Nordic Council Film Prize nominees 2025
- DENMARK: My Eternal Summer (Min Evige Sommer)
Directed by Sylvia Le Fanu
Written by Sylvia Le Fanu, Mads Lind Knudsen
Produced by Jeppe Wowk - FAROE ISLANDS: The Last Paradise on Earth (Seinasta paradís á jørð)
Directed by Sakaris Stórá
Written by Tommy Oksen, Mads Stegger, Sakaris Stórá
Produced by Jón Hammer - FINLAND: The Helsinki Effect
Directed & written by Arthur Franck
Produced by Sandra Enkvist, Arthur Franck, Oskar Forstén - GREENLAND: WALLS – Akinni Inuk
Directed by Sofie Rørdam, Nina Paninnguaq Skydsbjerg
Produced by Emile Hertling Péronard - ICELAND: When the Light Breaks (Ljósbrot)
Directed & written by Rúnar Rúnarsson
Produced by Heather Millard, Rúnar Rúnarsson - NORWAY: Dreams (Drømmer)
Directed & written by Dag Johan Haugerud
Produced by Yngve Sæther, Hege Hauff Hvattum - SWEDEN: Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958–1989 (Israel Palestina på svensk tv 1958-1989)
Directed & written by Göran Hugo Olsson
Produced by Tobias Janson
About the Prize
The Nordic Council Film Prize was established in 2002. The nominees are fiction or documentary films that have been produced in the Nordics and distributed theatrically in their home territory. The winner is announced on October 21, 2025.