Photo: Esprit
Don't Call Me Mama
- 2026
- Drama
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Nina Knag
Nina Knag is a Norwegian writer-director known for her bold visual language and emotionally precise storytelling, and has established herself as one of the most daring voices in contemporary Nordic filmmaking.
Her feature debut, Se meg/Don’t Call Me Mama (2025), premiered in the main competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival to fantastic reviews. Se meg is an unsettling drama about a teacher who enters a forbidden relationship with a young asylum seeker, and stars Pia Tjelta, whose performance earned her the Best Actress Award at Karlovy Vary.
Before moving into feature filmmaking, Knag built an international reputation through acclaimed short films that have screened and won awards at major international festivals.
Knag also brings experience as an episode director, with credits on three episodes of the NRK youth drama Rykter/Rumours (2023) and two episodes of Aftenposten TV’s web series Ingen Retur/No Return (2018).
She is currently developing a drama series and several feature film projects, both domestically and internationally.
Furthermore, Knag runs her own casting agency and teaches film and acting at various institutions.
Awards
| Scandi Film Festival Prague (Best Portrayal of Scandinavian Reality) Czech Republic – Don't Call Me Mama | 2026 |
| Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Nominee (Crystal Globe Best Film) Czech Republic – Don't Call Me Mama | 2025 |
| Hamburg Film Festival Nominee (NDR Young Talent Award – First Feature) Germany – Don't Call Me Mama | 2025 |
| Bergen International Film Festival (Best Western Short Film) Norway – De Første Dagene The First Days | 2019 |
| OPEN PLACE International Short Film Festival (Grand Prix) Latvia – Vi kan ikke hjelpe alle It's Alright | 2017 |
| Madrid Art Film Festival (Best Foreign Short Film) Spain – Vi kan ikke hjelpe alle It's Alright | 2017 |
| Traverse City Film Festival (Founders Prize – Special Short Film Award) US – Vi kan ikke hjelpe alle It's Alright | 2017 |
| Norwegian Short Film Festival (Honourable Mention – Best Screenplay) Norway – Vi kan ikke hjelpe alle It's Alright | 2016 |
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Known for
Filmography
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Photo: Camilla Glaister
Nina Knag joins Salomonsson Agency
Nina Knag is a Norwegian writer-director known for her bold visual language and emotionally precise storytelling, and has established herself as one of the most daring voices in contemporary Nordic filmmaking.
Her feature debut, Se meg/Don’t Call Me Mama (2025), premiered in the main competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival to fantastic reviews. Se meg is an unsettling drama about a teacher who enters a forbidden relationship with a young asylum seeker, and stars Pia Tjelta, whose performance earned her the Best Actress Award at Karlovy Vary.
Before moving into feature filmmaking, Knag built an international reputation through acclaimed short films that have screened and won awards at major international festivals.
Knag also brings experience as an episode director, with credits on three episodes of the NRK youth drama Rykter/Rumours (2023) and two episodes of Aftenposten TV’s web series Ingen Retur/No Return (2018).
She is currently developing a drama series and several feature film projects, both domestically and internationally.
Furthermore, Knag runs her own casting agency and teaches film and acting at various institutions.