The Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival was awarded to Norway's Dag Johan Haugerud for "Dreams (Sex Love)," the first time the country has won the honor.
“Dreams (Sex Love)” sees Haugerud complete his “Sex Love Dreams” trilogy with the story of a girl whose writings about a love affair with her French teacher shock her mother and grandmother, causing them both to reconsider their fantasies.
Haugerud said it was "beyond [his] wildest dreams" to win a Golden Bear and, speaking of his other life as a librarian and novelist, recommended that people spend more time reading and writing.
"Dreams (Sex Love)" also won the Fipresci competition prize and the German Art Cinema Film Cast Award.
Full list of winners:
Golden Bear for Best Film – “Dreams (Sex Love)” by Johan Haugerud
Grand Jury Prize Silver Bear – “The Blue Trail” by Gabriel Mascaro
Silver Bear Jury Prize – “The Message” by Ivan Fund
Silver Bear for Best Director - Huo Meng for “Living The Land”
Silver Bear for best actor - Rose Byrne in "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You"
Silver Bear for Best Supporting Actor - Andrew Scott in "Blue Moon"
Silver Bear for Best Screenplay - Radu Jude for “Kontinental '25”
Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution – The Creative Cast of “The Ice Tower”.