Films on the Horizon

Rufus is a family adventure about one young sea serpent’s lonely quest to save his world from being discovered by humans. On a secret island, somewhere in the middle of the ocean, lives Rufus together with the other sea serpents. He keeps to himself because he is different from the others – he can’t swim. The sea serpents enjoy happy and carefree lives, but they have one big fear: being discovered by humans. Luckily, they have Uncle Ludvik to protect them. Chinese dragon blood runs through his veins, and he can blow smoke through his nostrils and cover the island in fog whenever a ship comes by.  When the sea serpents’ fate depends on someone travelling to his great aunt in Loch Ness, Scotland, on a very important mission, Rufus is challenged to prove what he’s made of. Along the way, he meets both new friends and enemies – and in the end, Rufus must save his island from being discovered by humans, all on his own. 

Lotte's world is forever changed when her family moves far away from everything she knows. 

Loneliness looms until she meets Totte, the energetic boy next door. But when one of their imaginative games goes too far, they become super mad at each other. 

Lotte realizes that Totte is her first true friend and is determined to do whatever it takes to mend their friendship before it's too late. 

Isä and the evening star
Kristin Nicolaysen • Koko Film • Norge

"Would you be willing to teach Iver Isak Kven?" I asked my father-in-law, Egil Sundelin, in 2016, when my son Iver Isak was four years old. Of the world's 6,000 living languages, it is estimated that half will have disappeared within three generations. Kven is one of the endangered languages. Through the relationship between a grandson and his grandfather, the film Isä and the Evening Star offers a unique and heartfelt glimpse into Kven language, culture, and history. 

For a decade, filmmaker Kristin Nicolaysen follows her son and father-in-law in this language and family project. The film takes us through the joys and challenges of keeping a minority language alive—a language that has long been silenced. 

Brightly Shining
Ida Sagmo Tvedte • Motlys • Norge

Ronja (10) lives in a small apartment but dreams of a log cabin in the woods, with starry skies and howling wolves. It’s December and Dad is out of work again—until he lands a job as a Christmas tree salesman, and starts smelling of pine trees instead of beer. Suddenly the fridge is full, and hope is back, for the time being. When the temptations at the local pub become irresistible to him, Ronja and her sister Melissa (16) are left to fend for themselves. Together they take on the Christmas tree job and little by little they realize that even if life can be a bit shitty, you can get far with a bit of street smartness, playful optimism, and a couple of good helpers. 

Stargate is a warm and heartfelt tale about a father who tries his best, but not enough, an older sister who tries to fill his shoes, and a younger sister who never stops dreaming.