Cannes 2026 appeared quiet for Nordic cinema at first glance, with few standalone films from the region in competition. But Nordic presence was still clearly felt, just in a different form.
Several of the festival’s international titles from Asia carried Nordic co-producers. Films such as the Thai 9 Temples to Heaven and the Nepalese Elephants in the Fog were made with involvement from Norwegian, Danish and other Nordic production companies, Nordisk Film & TV Fond reports.
While these are Asian films by Asian filmmakers, Nordic companies have taken part as co-producers, contributing to financing, production support and post-production work.
Norwegian companies are particularly active, often supported by public funding schemes that encourage collaboration with filmmakers in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Danish and Swedish companies also participate, especially in co-production networks that extend beyond Europe.
For filmmakers in Thailand, these partnerships open access to European resources and festival routes. For Nordic producers, they offer entry into new regions and creative collaborations.
The result is a Cannes lineup where Nordic cinema is less visible as a label, but deeply present behind the scenes in international productions.
