The highly anticipated Göteborg Nordic Collection Script Award showcases Thomas Vinterberg’s gripping “Households Like Ours,” the thought-provoking “Stress Level” from the acclaimed author of “Black Crab,” and Erik Poppe’s bold narrative “Quisling.” These exceptional works are vying for the prestigious honor, which stands as the most significant accolade for TV screenwriting across Scandinavia. This recognition not only highlights the creativity and storytelling prowess within the Nordic region but also sets a benchmark for future television narratives that captivate audiences and critics alike.

In a significant evolution for the Göteborg Festival, the Script Award nominations now include the daring feminist porn comedy “Cash Shot,” a Canneseries winner, alongside “The College of Housewives,” co-written and directed by Iceland’s talented Arnór Pálmi Arnarson, renowned for his work on “The Minister,” featuring the versatile Ólafur Darri Ólafsson. These selections reflect a diverse range of storytelling that resonates with contemporary audiences, emphasizing themes of empowerment and identity within the vibrant landscape of Nordic cinema and television.

The creative ambitions represented in these nominated series span a vast spectrum of genres, from the near-future survival drama-thriller “Households” to the gripping true-events recreation in “Stress Level,” and the audacious period drama “Quisling.” Each of these series delves into modern societal horrors, reflecting the complexities and challenges faced in today’s world while pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling. The innovation in these narratives serves to engage viewers, offering not just entertainment but also critical commentary on pressing contemporary issues.

“Households” paints a stark picture of an apocalyptic scenario that disintegrates Denmark’s upper-middle-class society, thrusting them into a harsh and often violent new reality. Meanwhile, “Stress Level” dives deeply into the unsettling world of neo-Nazism, exposing the psychological undercurrents of hatred and alienation. On the other hand, “Quisling” confronts the mindset of a deluded autocrat, offering a compelling look at power, manipulation, and the human condition during turbulent times. Collectively, these narratives challenge viewers to reflect on the fragility of societal norms and the potential for darkness within humanity.

In a more optimistic vein, both “Cash Shot” and “The University of Housewives” tap into the contemporary Zeitgeist, showcasing women taking charge of their lives and narratives. These series celebrate female solidarity and empowerment, illustrating how collective strength can inspire personal transformation and societal change. Through humor and heartfelt storytelling, they provide a refreshing counter-narrative to traditional depictions of women in media, encouraging audiences to embrace new perspectives and ideas.

From a production standpoint, these five series exemplify the latest creative offerings from some of Europe’s leading producers, broadcasters, and distributors. At the forefront is Vinterberg’s “Households Like Ours,” which is backed by prominent industry players such as Zentropa Enterprises, Studiocanal, Canal+, and TV 2 Danmark. This collaboration underscores the importance of strong partnerships in the creation of high-quality content that captures the imagination and engages global audiences, setting a new standard for Nordic television productions.

The nominees for the Nordic Collection Script Award are in contention for a substantial cash prize of €17,000 ($17,700), generously funded by the Nordisk Film & TV Fond. This award specifically honors the principal author(s) of a Nordic drama series, further emphasizing the importance of original storytelling and scriptwriting in the ever-evolving landscape of television. Such financial support not only recognizes excellence but also fuels future creative endeavors within the Nordic film and television industry.

In an exciting update, candidates must have premiered their series within the last year, a shift from previous criteria that aimed to forecast some of the upcoming major hits from Scandinavia. This change reflects a dynamic approach to recognizing fresh talent and innovative storytelling that resonates with current audiences, ensuring that the awards remain relevant and impactful in celebrating the best of Nordic television.

Additionally, the Nordic Collection Awards will introduce a new honorable mention, the Creative Courage Award. This accolade celebrates the producer and commissioner who have collaborated on a series that pushes creative boundaries and embraces innovation. The inclusion of this award highlights the importance of nurturing bold and inventive storytelling in an industry often characterized by cautious commissioning practices. Submissions for this award come from a range of streamers and broadcasters, showcasing a commitment to diversity in storytelling.

Winners of the Nordic Collection Awards will be unveiled during a prestigious ceremony on the evening of January 28 at Göteborg’s TV Drama Vision. This event is set to be a highlight of the festival, celebrating the exceptional talent and creativity within the Nordic television landscape while fostering a sense of community and collaboration among industry professionals.

“The new name for the script award carries more significance in international CVs, as it clearly indicates that the prize is awarded for the best Nordic series script. Another notable reform is that all series premiering in 2024 are eligible for consideration. This expansion opens the doors for a wider array of creative voices and innovative stories to be recognized and celebrated in this prestigious competition.

In these economically challenging times, commissioning often leans towards safer choices. With the Creative Courage Award, we aim to highlight a commissioner-producer collaboration that has resulted in an exceptionally bold and innovative series. I am thrilled to see that we have outstanding candidates across numerous genres in both categories,” stated Liselott Forsman, CEO of Nordisk Film & TV Fond. This initiative encourages the industry to take creative risks, fostering an environment where groundbreaking stories can thrive and resonate with audiences.

“The selection showcases the rich variety of stories emerging from the region and signals both the strength of the present and a promising future for Nordic drama series,” added Cia Edström, head of Göteborg’s TV Drama Vision. This sentiment reflects the commitment to nurturing diverse narratives that speak to the complexities of the human experience while celebrating the unique cultural identities within the Nordic countries.

The jury for the Nordic Collection Script Award comprises Norwegian actor-screenwriter Henriette Steenstrup, Joanna Szymańska, producer-CEO at ShipsBoy in Poland, and Linus Fremin, a TV critic and creative director at Sweden’s Make Your Mark. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise bring a wealth of knowledge to the evaluation process, ensuring that the awarded scripts truly represent the pinnacle of Nordic storytelling and creativity.

TV Drama Vision is set to take place from January 28 to 29, coinciding with the 48th Göteborg Film Festival, which will run from January 24 through February 2. Details about the Nordic Collection Script Award nominations include:

“Households Like Ours,” (“Familier som vores”)

Nominated writers: Thomas Vinterberg, Bo hr. Hansen

Denmark, 7×50′ 

Broadcaster: TV2 Denmark 

Produced by: Zentropa Entertainments 

Producers: Sisse Graum Jørgensen and Kasper Dissing 

Directed by: Thomas Vinterberg 

Sales: Worldwide: Studiocanal, except for Benelux, which is managed by TrustNordisk 

Premiere: October 20, 2024 

This marks the first series from Vinterberg, a 2021 Oscar winner (“Another Round”) and a co-founder of Dogma 95 (“The Celebration”). “Households” presents a plausible yet chilling scenario: as Denmark begins to submerge beneath rising waters, the government initiates a complete evacuation. This expansive narrative not only explores the emotional and social dynamics of the upper-middle-class family unit but also delves into the horrifying realities of human trafficking, brutal vigilante groups, and even murder, transforming the series into a gripping upper-middle-class horror story.

“Cash Shot,” (“Toinen tuleminen”) 

Finland, 8×25′ 

Nominated author: Jemina Jokisalo 

Broadcaster: Elisa Viihde 

Produced by: Just Republic  

Producers: Jemina Jokisalo, Samuli Norhomaa, and Johanna Tarvainen 

Directed by: Teemu Niukkanen 

Sales: Federation Studios and Nordisk Film 

Premiere: May 2, 2024 

“Cash Shot” stands out as the most irreverent among the five nominees, featuring a narrative that centers on Sari, an aging porn actress seeking new opportunities. In a quest for work, she partners with a film school dropout to create erotic films with a female perspective. “It’s bold and different, especially for a Finnish show, and I’m thrilled that [broadcaster] Elisa Viihde had the courage to commission it. I always pursue stories I completely love, with relatable characters,” said Jokisalo (“Savela,” “Makkari”) in an interview with Variety. “It’s vibrant and definitely not just another Nordic Noir!”

“Stress Level,” (“Smärtpunkten”) Sweden, 3×60’ 

Nominated author: Pelle Rådström 

Storyline: Wilhelm Behrman and Niklas Rockström 

Broadcaster: SVT 

Produced by: Kärnfilm and Art & Bob 

Producer: Martina Stöhr 

Directed by: Sanna Lenken 

Sales: ReInvent International Sales 

Premiere: April 19, 2024 

“Stress Level” offers a tense and immersive true-event recreation of the rehearsals for the impactful play “7:3,” developed by the renowned playwright Lars Norén and producer Isa Stenberg. The narrative centers on two neo-Nazi inmates who articulate their real-life convictions on stage, exploring the factors that led to their radicalization, including alienation and childhood trauma. For Norén, this project represents a unique storytelling opportunity, while for Stenberg and some prison authorities, it serves as a chance for rehabilitation. Additionally, one inmate devises a bank heist plan that sends shockwaves through Swedish society, showcasing the intricate interplay between art and real-world consequences. The screenplay, crafted by Rådström (“Black Crab”), is based on an outline by Behrman (“Caliphate,” “Before We Die”) and Rockström (“Caliphate,” “Wallander”).