‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’ is one of three shortlisted Danish Oscar contenders. Photo: František Svatoš
Today, the Danish Oscar Committee announced the three films in the running to become Denmark’s official submission for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The committee—composed of representatives from the Danish film industry and the Danish Film Institute—will meet again on 17 September to select the final candidate.
Tine Fischer, CEO of the Danish Film Institute and chair of the committee, says:
“The committee’s task is to shortlist three films that we believe have the strongest international impact. Interest in these titles has already been notable, and we are pleased to present a field that clearly shows the international standing and artistic ambition of Danish cinema in 2025. Collectively, the films demonstrate how Danish cinema can both engage audiences and resonate on the international stage—with stories that combine universal relevance with human intimacy.”
‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’, directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pasha Talankin, is a bold and timely portrait of an individual’s fight against censorship and oppression—told with both humor and political sharpness. Anders Thomas Jensen’s ‘The Last Viking’ is a dark comedy about identity and sibling relationships. Jeanette Nordahl’s ‘Beginnings’ is a warm and precise portrayal of a couple forced to renegotiate the terms of love after illness turns their lives upside down.
The final Oscar nominations will be announced on 22 January 2026. The Academy Awards ceremony takes place on 15 March 2026 in Los Angeles.
About the three films
The Last Viking
‘The Last Viking’ tells the story of loner Anker, who is released after 15 years in prison for robbery. Only his brother Manfred knows where the stolen money is hidden—but he has since developed a mental disability that prevents him from remembering. Together, the brothers set out for their childhood homeland to find the money, but also to discover who they really are.
The leading roles are played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Mads Mikkelsen. The cast also includes Sofie Gråbøl, Lars Brygmann, Bodil Jørgensen, Søren Malling, Nicolas Bro, and Lars Ranthe.
Produced by Sisse Graum Jørgensen and Sidsel Hybschmann for Zentropa with support from the Danish Film Institute and, among others, FilmFyn, Eurimages, the Nordic Film & TV Fund, the Swedish Film Institute, and TV 2. International sales handled by TrustNordisk. Distributed in Denmark by Nordisk Film Biografdistribution, with a national release on 9 October 2025.
‘The Last Viking’ will screen out of competition at the Venice Film Festival and is selected for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Centerpiece program. Submitted by Zentropa, it qualified via a Finnish theatrical release on 12 September.
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’ follows Pavel (known as Pasha), an ordinary teacher in a small Russian town. Beloved by students for his humor, creativity, and unconventional style, Pasha’s life changes drastically when Putin introduces propaganda and war education into schools following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Instead of teaching students to think independently, Pasha is forced to film children reciting meaningless slogans and teachers delivering incomprehensible propaganda. In secret protest, he begins smuggling these videos out of Russia, while also documenting how propaganda and war reshape his community. His footage reveals the transformation of Russian society, Putin’s iron grip on the population, and the heartbreaking moments when former students are sent to the front.
Through Pasha’s personal story, audiences gain a rare, intimate, and contemporary glimpse into Putin’s Russia. The film is a reminder that courage takes many forms when all seems lost.
Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pasha Talankin. Produced by Helle Faber for Made in Copenhagen with support from the Danish Film Institute.
World premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, with a Danish premiere at CPH:DOX in March 2025. Since then, it has screened at numerous international festivals, including 19 in the U.S., and has already won 10 festival awards. Submitted by Made in Copenhagen, it qualified via its Danish theatrical release on 22 March.
International sales handled by DR Sales.
Beginnings
In ‘Beginnings’, Ane and Thomas are in the middle of a divorce, but they haven’t yet told their children. Just as Thomas is about to move in with his new girlfriend, Ane suffers a life-altering stroke. They decide to continue living together until she recovers. As Ane fights fiercely to regain her old self, both must confront a new reality and search for hope where none was expected.
The film stars Trine Dyrholm and David Dencik, who last appeared together in Pernille Fischer Christensen’s ‘A Soap’ (2006). The cast also includes Bjørk Storm, Luna Svelmøe, and Johanne Louise Schmidt.
Produced by Eva Jakobsen, Mikkel Jersin, and Katrin Pors for Snowglobe with support from the Danish Film Institute. Submitted by Snowglobe, it qualified via its Spanish theatrical release on 27 June.
‘Beginnings’ had its world premiere in the Berlinale’s Panorama program. International sales handled by ReInvent Studios. Distributed in Denmark by Scanbox, with a national release scheduled for 15 January 2026.
Danish Oscar Committee
The Danish Oscar Committee consists of Danish film professional representatives appointed from various film associations and guilds as requested by the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts & Science (AMPAS).
- Steen Johannesen // Danish Film Editing Society
- Louise Mieritz // Danish Actors Association
- Søren Søndergaard // Danish Cinema Owners
- Ina Bruhn // Danish Screenwriters
- Nanna Frank Rasmussen // Danish Film Critics Society
- Peter Hausner // Danish Directors Association
- Jacob Neiiendam // The Danish Filminstitute
- Tine Fischer // The Danish Filminstitute, Head
- Lone Korslund // Danish Producers Association
- Louise McLaughlin // Danish Association of Cinematographers
Oscars rules and dates
Each country may submit one film for nomination in the International Feature Film category.
To be eligible in the International Feature Film category a film's domestic release date must be no earlier than October 1 2024 and no later than September 30 2025 and be publicly exhibited for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater.
In order for films to more easily meet theatrical exhibition requirements, the Academy will allow films to qualify outside the country of origin, provided the film is theatrically exhibited outside of the United States and its territories for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture produced outside the US with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.
Full details on rules and eligibility can be found here
The Danish Oscar committee will meet again on September 17, where the final candidate will be determined.
The submission deadline is October 1. The Academy will announce all shortlists on December 17, including the 15 films that have a chance to become one of the five nominees in the International Feature Film category. The 98th Oscars take place on March 15 2026 in Los Angeles.
Danish films and the Oscars through the years
Four Danish films have won an Oscar in the International Feature Film category: Thomas Vinterberg's 'Another Round' in 2021, Susanne Bier's 'In a Better World' in 2011, Bille August's 'Pelle the Conqueror' in 1989, and Gabriel Axel's 'Babette's Feast' in 1988.
Below is an overview of Danish Oscar entries in the International Feature Film category over the last six years sorted by awards ceremony year:
2024 The Promised Land / Nikolaj Arcel – Oscar shortlist
2023 Holy Spider / Ali Abbasi – Oscar shortlist
2022 Flee / Jonas Poher Rasmussen / Oscar nomination
2021 Another Round / Thomas Vinterberg / Oscar winner
2020 Queen of Hearts / May el-Toukhy
2019 The Guilty / Gustav Möller / Oscar shortlist