Following our look at the outstanding documentaries that featured at Nordisk Panorama Film Festival, we turn our attention to the fictional in competition this year. Short films often act as the incubator for Europe’s most exciting emerging filmmakers, and the line-up in Malmö proved no exception. Here are 8 standout Nordisk Panorama short films that demand your attention.

Sauna Sickness | Director: Malin Barr

We were hugely excited to see what Malin Barr would showcase here, given her previous work in the horror genre, amongst other things, over in the US. Seeing her step behind the camera and return to Swedish soil with a stellar Nordic cast; including Magnus Krepper, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, and Adam Lundgren—was an absolute delight. The film follows a young couple whose romantic weekend takes a complicated turn in a sauna; as one of them leaves to search for help, we are left wondering where on earth this is all heading.

Nordic Watchlist Verdict: There are so many directions this story could take, keeping you entirely on the edge of your seat. Malin has clearly uncovered a real talent behind the camera, and we cannot wait to see what she does next.

Son | Director: Leona Cauklija

“It’s very strange to not have any contact, but to still see him through his tags…”

The opening sequence to Son sets the scene: a mother missing her son continually sees his graffiti tags across the neighborhood. Wherever she goes, there are reminders of him. The film unravels like a gallery, documenting her experience of witnessing these tags and reflecting on her son’s upbringing as she tries to understand the “life signs” he leaves behind. Ultimately, she decides to take action in her own artistic way. Son is a beautifully shot and engaging short film that genuinely feels like it could be adapted into a feature.

Nordic Watchlist Verdict: An extraordinary story that is visually beautiful and incredibly moving. Leona Cauklija is clearly a talent to keep an eye out for in the future!

Weekend Warrior | Director: Simone Vahlne

What happens when two LARPers (Live Action Role Players) whose weekend activities involve dressing in costume and fighting mythical creatures decide to share an intimate moment off-script from their usual role-playing? “The game master says you can go off-game when you have sex.” Will the confidence these “weekend warriors” display while acting out their fantasy scenarios translate when things get real between them?

Nordic Watchlist Verdict: Beautifully shot, featuring fantastic costume design and a quietly moving performance from Elin Pettersson that captures the vulnerability behind the roleplay.

Postcards | Director: Freyja Kristinsdóttir

An exceptionally beautiful and moving short by Icelandic director Freyja Kristinsdóttir. What starts as a historical reflection on the romantic story behind her parents flips at its midway point, pulling the emotional rug out from under your feet.

Far from being a bleak watch, however, this piece serves as a warm celebration of life, loss, and the importance of documenting our personal histories on postcards.

Nordic Watchlist Verdict: An incredibly moving, inventive, and heart-wrenching piece of Icelandic storytelling.

A Glimpse of Paradise | Director: Perttu Inkilä

A very intriguing piece with fascinating visuals and soundscapes. Set in the Finnish forests amidst the ever-present hum of midges and birdsong, this film feels like a meditation on nature through the eyes—and ears—of its subject, Lauri. Though Lauri is blind, he is able to visualize the world around him through field recordings made in the wild.

Nordic Watchlist verdict: While visually powerful and experimental, it is the stunning soundscape that truly captures you, luring the audience into an almost hypnotic, meditative state.

CLUB | Director: Talon Daren

This highly unique short hooks you from the start through its visual style, narrative twists, and a commanding lead performance by Mathilde Storm. The thumping electronic soundtrack will have you wanting to rave in your seat right before the narrative shifts into full ‘hypnotic horror’. This is one cinematic experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.​

Nordic Watchlist verdict: This is must have looked and sounded epic on a big screen – one of our highlights from the festival. We are very interested to see what comes next from director Talon Darren

Seeing Other People | Directors: Theis Gavnbo Holmstrup & Jes B. Bach

A couple visits another pair to test whether they would be open to an open relationship between both couples. As expected, nothing goes entirely to plan.

The situation escalates in a way that is simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, anchored by fantastic ensemble performances across the cast. We’d love to see this expanded into a series!

​Nordic Watchlist: Beautifully shot and painstakingly awkward in that classic Scandi-cringe fashion, Seeing Other People was another standout comedy-drama from the festival.

Animalia | Director: Marius Rolfsvåg

By this stage we have had awkward sexual encounters, a mother tracing her son through graffiti, and a painfully awkward throupling situation (amongst other things). So Animalia was a refreshing take as we are greeted a Sci-Fi short which sees a future where humans have turned into animals and must be contained and controlled – but is it really all it seems? Ines Høysæter Asserson’s Alm isn’t so convinced!

Nordic Watchlist Verdict: Another visually striking piece which also has a great cast and a more action than you might expect for a short!

Nordisk Panorama 2026 has now concluded—visit the official Nordisk Panorama website to view the full list of this year’s award winners.