‘Pressure Point’ Scribe Pelle Rådström Wins Inaugural Nordic Series Script Award​on January 28, 2025 at 8:35 pm

Swedish screenwriter Pelle Rådström has won the first Nordic Series Script Award for his show Pressure Point. 

The award, previously known as the Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize, was handed to Rådström this evening at the Göteborg Film Festival. The award comes with a NOK 200,000 (€17,000) cash prize. 

The award jury featured Henriette Steenstrup, Actor and Screenwriter, Norway; Joanna Szymańska, Producer and CEO at SHIPsBOY, Poland; Linus Fremin, TV Critic and Creative Director at Make Your Mark, Sweden. 

“In a time when authentic, brave storytelling is rare, Pressure Point stands out as a series that resonates with the intelligence of its audience,” the jury said in a statement. “Instead of simplifying complex human experiences, it delves deeply into themes of freedom of expression, criminal justice, and rehabilitation, presenting characters in a profoundly human way. Inspired by a real-life tragedy, it masterfully explores the consequences of good intentions going awry, challenging us to reflect on the fragility of democracy.” 

Rådström beat out four other shows, including veteran filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg’s first series effort Families Like Ours. The other shows were Money Shot (Finland, nominated writer Jemina Jokisalo), Quisling (Norway, nominated writers Anna Bache-Wiig and Siv Rajendram Eliassen), and The School of Housewives (Iceland, nominated writers Arnór Pálmi Arnarson and Jóhanna Fridrika Sæmundsdóttir). 

Pressure Point tells the story of renowned playwright Lars Norén and producer Isa Stenberg who join forces with dangerous inmates, including Neo-Nazis, in a maximum security prison to create a new play. Amidst a contentious debate on freedom of speech and government oversight lapses, the prisoners exploit their freedom, leading to bank robberies and the emergence of a neo-Nazi organization.

Göteborg Film Festival runs until Feb 2.