Spring 2026
This spring, the masterclass proudly welcomes internationally acclaimed Danish actor Trine Dyrholm as its lead. A carefully selected group of 12 Nordic film professionals will gather for a three-day residency focused on deepening the collaboration between directors and actors.
Recognised as one of the leading actors of her generation with titles such as Queen of Hearts and The Girl with the Needle under her belt, Dyrholm has built a remarkable international career spanning film, television, and theatre. With award-winning performances across the Nordic region and beyond, she brings a wealth of experience in character work and long-standing creative partnerships with directors to the masterclass.
The theme of this edition centres on the creative dialogue between director and actor, and the shared process of building a character.
Over the course of the residency, participants will explore how trust, preparation, and artistic openness can strengthen both performance and storytelling. Through discussions, practical exercises, and shared reflection, the masterclass offers a rare opportunity to examine the actor–director dynamic in depth.
From 7–10 May 2026, a carefully selected group of 12 film professionals from across the Nordics will take part in a hands-on, three-day residency at the historic Söderlångvik grounds on Kimito Island – once home to arts patron and film enthusiast Amos Anderson.
Participants
Directors
- Kirsikka Saari, Finland
- Jojo Erholtz, Finland
- Jakob Marky, Sweden
- Yngvild Sve Flikke, Norway
- Mathias Broe, Denmark
- Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson, Iceland
Actors
- Alex Anton, Finland
- Hilma Kotkaniemi, Finland
- Tobias Zilliacus, Finland
- Josefin Asplund, Sweden
- Rio Pettersen, Norway
- Saga Garðarsdóttir, Iceland
Masterclass Mentor Trine Dyrholm
Trine Dyrholm is one of the most acclaimed and awarded actresses in the Nordic region today, with a career spanning both high-profile international productions and groundbreaking Scandinavian cinema and television.
Her major breakthrough came with Thomas Vinterberg’s The Celebration, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2016, Dyrholm reunited with Vinterberg and received the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival for her performance in The Commune. Her extensive body of work also includes Susanne Bier’s Academy Award–winning In a Better World, the DR family drama The Legacy directed by Pernilla August, Susanna Nicchiarelli’s Nico, 1988—winner of the Orizzonti Award at the Venice Film Festival—and the Sundance Audience Award–winning Queen of Hearts, directed by May el-Toukhy, for which Dyrholm received the first-ever acting Dragon Award at the Gothenburg Film Festival.
With The Girl with the Needle, Dyrholm delivered one of the most celebrated performances of her career. The film went all the way to the Academy Awards and garnered multiple international awards and nominations, a masterclass in acting, reaffirming her as one of the most formidable performers on screen today.
She has continued to take on challenging and diverse roles, including The Almond and the Seahorse, opposite Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Poison, an intimate chamber drama co-starring Tim Roth. She starred in Michael Noer’s critically acclaimed feature Birthday Girl, followed by her role as Queen Anne in the international series Mary & George. Later, she appeared in the miniseries Rematch, winner of Series Mania, directed by Yan England.
In 2025, Dyrholm appeared in the intimate drama Second Victims and headlined Jeanette Nordahl’s highly anticipated feature Beginnings, both of which have now premiered to outstanding reviews. She also stars in the Icelandic-French television miniseries The Danish Woman, directed by Benedikt Erlingsson, portraying a retired intelligence officer in the darkly comic drama, further showcasing her remarkable range and commanding presence on screen.
Photographer: Arnaut Loots
Programme
The masterclass will begin on Thursday evening the 7th in Helsinki. The group heads on Friday morning towards Kimito Island, where the masterclass takes place. Surrounded by peaceful nature, participants are able to disconnect from the buzz of city life and immerse themselves in deep focus and creative exploration. The group returns to Helsinki on Sunday.
Söderlångvik Masterclass in a nutshell
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Finnish archipelago, the Söderlångvik Masterclass offers a rare opportunity for intensive learning, creative exploration, and meaningful connection, guided by one of the Nordic region’s leading filmmakers.
The Söderlångvik Masterclass is a residency initiative developed by the arts fund Amos Andersons Fond in collaboration with Helsinki International Film Festival — Love & Anarchy. The initiative started in 2024, and has already welcomed close to 50 film industry professionals from across the Nordic region.
This marks the fifth edition of the masterclass. More information about past editions can be found here.
Contact
Any questions? Please contact:
Lydia Taylerson
Head of Industry
lydia@hiff.fi