The winner of HARPA 2025 is...
The winner of the HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award 2025 is Kåre Christoffer Vestrheim, Andréa Louise Horstad, Kristoffer Lo og Eivind Helgerød for the score in Makta.
The International jury released a statement about the composer team’s award winning score:
The score for Makta seamlessly complements the handheld, rough style of the series, skillfully integrating ambient noise to blend with the sound design. The music adds the tension and momentum essential for such a high-stakes political thriller, amplifying the energy needed to keep viewers captivated and intrigued. It plays on the characters' complex dilemmas, often humorously and with a satirical twist, and as such serves as a storyteller in its own right, alongside the dialogue. From the opening notes, the composers of Makta capture your attention, compelling you to watch the series through to its conclusion.
Read full press release here
The International jury released a statement about the composer team’s award winning score:
The score for Makta seamlessly complements the handheld, rough style of the series, skillfully integrating ambient noise to blend with the sound design. The music adds the tension and momentum essential for such a high-stakes political thriller, amplifying the energy needed to keep viewers captivated and intrigued. It plays on the characters' complex dilemmas, often humorously and with a satirical twist, and as such serves as a storyteller in its own right, alongside the dialogue. From the opening notes, the composers of Makta capture your attention, compelling you to watch the series through to its conclusion.
Read full press release here
Impressions from Nordic Film Music Days 2025
Photos by: Thomas Kolbein Bjork Olsen/Berlinkontoret
Program for NFMD 2025Sat. 15.02.25
Location: Nordic Embassies, Auditorium, Rauchstraße 1, 10787 Berlin 09.30–11.00: CONTRACTS with Flemming Nordkrog (DK) only for Nordic and/or invited composers. Location: EFM Conference Lounge, Niederkirchner Straße 7, 10963 Berlin
12.00–13.00: Seminar: Breaking Down the Contract - in the Era of Streaming 13.00–14.00: Speedmeeting between preselected Composers, Producers & Directors. (For producers & directors) Location: Nordic Embassies, Rauchstraße 1, 10787 Berlin
15.00–16.00: Seminar: Editing - Takes and experiences to learn from with editor Sofia Lindgren 16.00–17.00: Networking: Women in Film composing 17.00–18.00: Seminar: Diversity in the Future of Film Music - Gender challenges and how to overcome them 18.00–18.30: Mingling accompanied by light snacks and drinks. Courtesy of AWFC (Alliance for Women in Film Composing). HARPA Award Show Location: Nordic Embassies, Exhibition Area, Rauchstraße 1, 10787 Berlin 18.30–19.00: Meet the Nominated Composers with 2024 winner Eðvarð Egilsson 19.00–19.30: HARPA Award presentations and winner announcement 19.30–20.30: Network with the nominees and the 2025 HARPA Award Winner |
Sun. 16.02.25
Location: Nordic Embassies, Auditorium, Rauchstraße 1, 10787 Berlin 11.00–12.10: Film: Where are you Mamma Mu? l Sweden –BREAK– 12.45–14.45: Series: MAKTA l Norway – BREAK – 15.20–17.20: Film: Touch l Iceland – BREAK – 17.45–19.35: Film: Sebastian l Finland –BREAK– 20.15–22.05: Film: The Son and the Moon l Denmark |
International Jury for the 2025 HARPA Award
International Jury led by 2024 HARPA Award Recipient, Eðvarð Egilsson IS
Michael P. Aust DE, Festival Director Soundtrack Cologne l Hanna-Greth Peetson EST, Music Meets Film & Industry@Tallinn l Sydney Levine US, International Film Consultant l Byun Seung Min SK, Founder & Producer at Climax Studio l Erica Procunier CA, Composer, Professor, SAG Canada l Peter Domsch DE, Sales Manager European Film Market
MEET THE NOMINATED COMPOSERS HARPA 2025
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DENMARK Christian Balvig
The Son and the Moon directed by Roja Pakari & Emilie Adelina Monies. Photo By: Michael C Madsen Christian's music compellingly grows from the film's inner soul beautifully expanding the film's internal narrative |
FINLAND Ilari Heinilä
Sebastian directed by Mikko Mäkelä. Photo By: Altti Heinilä Heinilä’s composition is not only beautiful but thoughtfully placed, enhancing the narrative while staying true to the film’s tone and vision. |
ICELAND Högni Egilsson
Touch directed by Baltasar Kormákur. Photo By: Anna Maggy The score is delicate and intimate, and serves as an enhancement to the emotional character of the story. The respect and care that Högni’s music shows for the narrative makes it an integral part of the film – a seamless addition to the storytelling. |
SWEDEN Henrik Lörstad
Who are you, Mamma Mu? directed by Christian Ryltenius. Photo By: Jonatan Kruse With elegant and detailed instrumentation, Lörstad manages to highlight, without oversimplifying, both the playful and the serious aspects of the film's sympathetic message. It is rare to come across such a well-crafted score in children's and youth films, or even in films for an adult audience. |
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NORWAY Kåre Christoffer Vestrheim
Makta created by Johan Fasting, Kristin Grue & Silje Storstein. Photo By: Andreas Paleologos The music brings us back to the dusty, smoke-filled eighties with its analogue, acoustic instruments, as if it’s made by an avantgarde band from the time period. |
NORWAY Andréa Louise Horstad
Makta created by Johan Fasting, Kristin Grue & Silje Storstein. Photo By: Helge Brekke The music brings us back to the dusty, smoke-filled eighties with its analogue, acoustic instruments, as if it’s made by an avantgarde band from the time period. |
NORWAY Kristoffer Lo
Makta created by Johan Fasting, Kristin Grue & Silje Storstein. Photo By: Michael Ray VC Angeles The music brings us back to the dusty, smoke-filled eighties with its analogue, acoustic instruments, as if it’s made by an avantgarde band from the time period. |
NORWAY Eivind Helgerød
Makta created by Johan Fasting, Kristin Grue & Silje Storstein. Photo By: Robin Boe The music brings us back to the dusty, smoke-filled eighties with its analogue, acoustic instruments, as if it’s made by an avantgarde band from the time period. |