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Icelandic producer Hlín Jóhannsdóttir has partnered with French-U.K. sales company Alief to represent “Just a Kid,” a coming-of-age feature directed by emerging filmmaker Vala Ómarsdóttir. The project will be showcased at New Nordic Films’ Works in Progress event during the Haugesund festival on August 27. Jóhannsdóttir, whose production company Ursus Parvus has worked with acclaimed Icelandic directors including Fridrik Thor Fridriksson and Rúnar Rúnarsson, continues her track record of supporting debut features by female filmmakers.
“Just a Kid” centers on 16-year-old Júlía, who relocates from Norway to Iceland and navigates the complexities of caring for her younger sister while attempting to integrate into her new school. After connecting with her classmate Salka and the school newspaper, Júlía begins to discover her identity. However, following a traumatic incident, she must grapple with shame, family obligations, and finding the courage to share her story. Estonian production company Alexandra Film, known for the Sundance-winning “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood,” co-produces the film alongside Ursus Parvus.
Ómarsdóttir developed the concept during her pregnancy, inspired by reflections on the evolving mother-daughter relationship during adolescence. She employed rehearsal-driven sessions with her young cast to authentically capture contemporary teenage experiences. Alief partner Miguel Govea praised the production’s chemistry, describing it as “a tender story of teen-angst and sexual awakening” with strong commercial potential. The film received support from multiple Nordic funding bodies and the Icelandic Film Centre.
At Haugesund, Jóhannsdóttir will also pitch “At The End of the Road,” reuniting her with the team behind the Tallinn Grand Prix-winning “Driving Mum,” including director Hilmar Oddsson and actors Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson and Hera Hilmar.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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