Fredrikstad, February 27, 2026 – Fredrikstad Animation Festival (FAF) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Plankebærerprisen (Plankbearer's Award) 2026 by Fredrikstad Bryggeriets Venner (in collaboration with Hansa Borg Brewery). One of the city's most prestigious honors, the award has been given since 1996 to individuals, teams, and organizations that has put Fredrikstad on the map in a positive way , nationally and/or internationally. The award is named after the working-class heroes who built the city in the mid-1800s, when timber was the country's largest export and Fredrikstad was the hub for sawmill activity Norway. The city's population jumped from 3,000 to 10,000 in just twenty years, and like those pioneers, the award is given to those who put labor into building the city up.
A Festival That Carries the City's Name to the World
After relocating to Fredrikstad in 2000, Fredrikstad Animation Festival has grown into the leading animation festival in the Nordic region. Held each year in the heart of Fredrikstad, the festival brings together animation filmmakers, students, industry professionals from across, welcoming local audiences to share in the art and culture of animation. With guests from world-renowned studios including Pixar, Disney, and Aardman, and a competition program drawing entries from more than 25 countries, the festival has become a true international brand and a source of genuine civic pride for Fredrikstad.
The festival is organized by the Norwegian Animation Forum. Each year, the festival's also has a distinction of short-listing films for the Amanda Awards, Norway's more prominent film prize.
An Honor That Belongs to the Whole City
Festival Director Anders Narverud Moen shared his thoughts on receiving the Plankebærer Award, "We are incredibly proud and happy to receive the Plankebærer Award. The fact that this is the first time Fredrikstad Animation Festival has received an award and that it is being presented by a local committee, makes it even more special. It is particularly heartening that our hard work in building up the festival is being recognized locally, as we know the festival holds a very special place in Fredrikstad, and Fredrikstad holds an extra special place in the hearts of our international audience."
The prize is awarded by Fredrikstad Bryggeriets Venner in keeping with its founding mission: to celebrate those who lift Fredrikstad up and make the city proud. Past recipients include director, writer and producer, Harald Zwart, industrial designer and entrepreneur Bård Eker.
About Fredrikstad Animation Festival
Fredrikstad Animation Festival is the leading animation festival in the Nordic region, with roots going back to 1994. The festival is held annually in Fredrikstad, Norway, and serves as a professional and artistic meeting place for the animation industry, students, and the public. The program includes competitive categories for Nordic-Baltic short films, student films, commissioned films, youth films, feature film and Global short films.
