Nominees for 2023 HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award

​The composer organizations of the five Nordic countries have announced their national nominees for the 13th Annual HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award.Once again, the nominees reflect the high quality and uniqueness of Nordic artistry, with a mix of Nordic electronic soundscapes, delicate & strong themes, confident collaborations, richly orchestrated music, and highly original scores.

DENMARK

Photo by: Carsten Snejbjerg & video by Helle Pagter and Maia Elisabeth Sørensen 
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DENMARK | Martin Dirkov for his score in "Holy Spider" (directed by Ali Abbasi)
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The music captures the suffocating sense of mortal fear, but manages simultaneously to be beautifully melodic and inventive, and credibly underlines the unpredictable and scary twists of the story. ​

FINLAND

Photo by: Tero Ahonen and video by Inés Nofuentes
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FINLAND | Anna-Mari Kähärä for her score in "Armotonta menoa - hoivatyön lauluja / Ruthless times - Songs of Care " (directed by Susanna Helke)

In Kähärä's music the silent and silenced ones gain a voice so powerful and rugged that it hurts: it’s a cry for help and humanity of the generations.  ​

ICELAND
Photos by: Cole & Ólafsdóttir & video by Blair Alexander 
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​ICELAND | Eðvarð Egilsson & Páll Ragnar Pálsson for their score in "Skjálfti/Quake" (directed by Tinna Hrafnsdóttir)​
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​A subtle masterpiece from two composers at the pinnacle of their powers 

NORWAY

​Photo by: Morten Aamot & video by Catharina Wandrup 
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​NORWAY | Jørund Fluge Samuelsen for his score in "Alle Hater Johan" (directed by Hallvar Witzø)
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​A score which brings a measured amount of comedy, sentimentality and a quirky, homemade feel to the whole film

SWEDEN
Photos by: Gianluca Grasselli & video by Donovan von Martens 
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​SWEDEN | Anna von Hausswolff & Filip Leyman for their score in  "The most beautiful boy in the world" (directed by Kristina Lindström & Kristian Petri)

​The low-key, brilliant music by Anna von Hausswolff and Filip Leyman interweaves in a delicate way all the artistical film narratives in this striking documentary. ​

Jury for ​2023 HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award

Sanna Salmenkallio ​| Composer & 2022 HARPA Winner | Finland || Christine Aufderhaar ​| Composer | Germany || Sung-woo Cho | Composer | South Korea || Sophie Joos | Music projects coordinator | World Soundtrack Awards || Michael P. Aust | Festival Director SoundTrack_Cologne | Germany || Lucy Bright ​| Music Supervisor | UK