The 37th Norwegian International Film Festival (NIFF) in Haugesund will open on August 23 with local title Upperdog.

The festival will follow the annual New Nordic Films market, which promotes a mix of recent Nordic features and projects-in-progress.

Upperdog is the second feature from Norwegian director Sara Johnsen and tells the story of a half brother and sister – Yanne and Axel - growing up in different families. They meet when Yanne’s friend goes to work for Axel’s family but their reunion does not go as expected. It stars Hermann Sabado, Agnieszka Grochowska, Bang Chau and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen

The film, which will be released locally by Sandrew Metronome Norge on August 28, has been produced by Christian Fredrik Martin and Asle Vatn, for Friland, and scripted by Johnsen

Håkon Skogrand, the NIFF’s programme director, said: ”Johnsen’s first, Kissed by Winter (Vinterkyss), wasn’t a one-off. Her second film – in general difficult for a director to do – will also be a success for Norwegian cinema.

The Nordic Co-production Forum and the Amanda Awards ceremony, Norway’s national film prize, will also take place during the featival, which runs to August 27.

More than 100 films will be shown in the main programme and the Children’s Film Fest, will this year focus on French and Italian features.

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