Geir Hansteen Joergensen's The New Country, a Swedish dramatic comedy, won top awards for Best Film and Best Screenplay at the New Nordic Films closing ceremony, according to Screen Daily. Starring Mike Almayehu, Michalis Koutsagiannakis, and Lia Boysen as a young Somalian boy, an Iranian man, and a former Miss Sweden, respectively, on a wild journey together, The New Country takes a hilarious look at some of Sweden's more serious issues.

New Nordic Films is the most important international market for new Nordic features, taking place annually as a prelude event to the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, which runs from August 27 - September 1. The NNF market is arranged with the support of the Nordic Film- and Television Fund and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in Norway, in collaboration with The Norwegian Film Institute.

The jury included Danish director Morten Arnfred, Norwegian actress Anneke von der Lippe and Swedish film critic Gunnar Rehlinv. From 14 new Nordic features, including the popular Italian for Beginners, Jalla! Jalla!, and Elling, awards were given for Best Film, Screenplay, Actor, Actress, and Newcomer.

The Norwegian International Film Festival's opening film is The Greatest Thing (Det Største i Verden), which will be presented by director Thomas Robsahm and leading lady Herborg Kraakevik, winner of the NNF's Best Newcomer award, together with Danish actor Jesper Langberg as well as Hildegunn Riise and Henrik Mestad. Closing the fest September 1 is the world premiere of Love Between Wars, a Swedish-Norwegian production by director Daniel Alfredson, starring Maria Bonnevie, Ola Norell and Rebecka Hemse.

Best Film:
The New Country (Det Nya Landet)
Dir. Geir Hansteen Joergensen
Sweden, 2000

Best Screenplay:
The New Country (Det Nya Landet)
Written by Peter Birro and Lukas Moodysson (Together)
Dir. Geir Hansteen Joergensen
Sweden, 2000

Best Actor:
Per Christian Ellefsen
Elling
Dir. Petter Naess
Norway, 2001

Best Actress:
Sara Sommerfeld
Wings Of Glass (Vingar av Glas)
Dir. Reza Bagher
Sweden, 2000

Best Newcomer:
Herborg Kraakevik
The Greatest Thing (Det Største i Verden)
Dir. Thomas Robsahm
Norway, 2001

Norwegian Cinema-Owner's Prize:
Cool And Crazy (Heftig og begeistret)
Dir. Knut Erik Jensen
Norway, 2001

Billy Elliott
Dir. Stephen Daldry
UK, 2000