European Commission-funded Sentimental Value wins Oscar for Best International Feature

Arts & Entertainment, International, Uncategorized

INTERNATIONAL — (NPA) March 16, 2026 — The European Commission has celebrated Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value (2025) after the Norwegian family drama won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. The film, which explores themes of estrangement, reconciliation, and the fragile bonds of memory, was supported by the Commission through its Creative Europe MEDIA programme, part of a €2.44 billion investment in cultural diversity across the bloc.

In a statement on Monday, the European Commission wrote: “Congratulations to ‘Sentimental Value’ on winning the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. Supported by our Creative Europe MEDIA programme, this win reflects our €2.44 billion investment in cultural diversity for the benefit of all.”

The story follows Gustav Borg, an aging filmmaker portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård, who reappears at his ex-wife’s funeral after years of absence. His return forces his daughters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), to confront the emotional scars of abandonment. Nora, a troubled actress, is offered the lead role in Gustav’s new film, blurring the lines between art and life.

Awarded the Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2026, Sentimental Value resonates as a broader reflection on how art can both heal and reopen wounds. With Trier’s collaboration with longtime co-writer Eskil Vogt, Kasper Tuxen’s evocative cinematography, and Hania Rani’s haunting score, the film marks Norway’s first-ever Oscar win in this category, cementing Trier’s reputation as one of Europe’s most compelling contemporary filmmakers.