National Nordic Museum to host weeklong festival celebrating queer Nordic cinema

The National Nordic Museum will host its annual 2026 SEA-Nordic Film Festival from Sept. 15–19, featuring films that explore LGBTQ+ stories from across the Nordic region.

According to the museum, this year’s festival will examine the history of queer representation in Nordic cinema, with films highlighting queer love, gender exploration, and cultural identity. The lineup will include one of the first overt representations of gay relationships in cinema alongside contemporary films showcasing a range of LGBTQ+ experiences.

The festival will take place in Osberg Great Hall at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard. In addition to film screenings, the event will include short films, talkbacks with academics and artists, and a collaborative art project.

Screenings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Sept. 15–18. The festival concludes with a full day of programming on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Festival passes are currently on sale, with early bird pricing available through Aug. 15. Passes include admission to all festival screenings as well as entry to the museum’s galleries.

The museum said the full film lineup and single-ticket sales will be announced closer to the event.

The film festival has a new theme each year. Last year, the festival focused on Danish cinema.

Photo: Osberg Great Hall, National Nordic Museum