The 78th edition of Denmark’s prestigious Bodil Awards (Bodilprisen) took place Saturday evening at the Folketeatret in Copenhagen, celebrating excellence in Danish cinema and spotlighting influential talents. Among the evening’s highlights, renowned filmmaker Lars von Trier received the Honorary Bodil (Æres-Bodil) for his significant contributions as a director and screenwriter.
Lars von Trier awarded for lifetime achievement
According to the Danish Film Critics (Danske Filmkritikere), who present the Bodil Awards, Lars von Trier is “the most important and original film artist Denmark has ever had.” Throughout his career, von Trier has accumulated seven Bodil statuettes for influential films such as Europa, Breaking the Waves, Dogville, and most recently Melancholia in 2012. The Honorary Bodil was received on his behalf by his four children—Selma, Agnes, Benjamin, and Ludvig—as von Trier himself was unable to attend.
In their acceptance speech, von Trier’s children humorously conveyed their father’s message: “It was damn about time.”
Described by the critics as an “unpredictable and paradoxical anarchist,” von Trier has consistently challenged cinematic conventions and creatively embraced limitations. Recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, von Trier continues to work actively, integrating his physical constraints into his creative process, notably in his upcoming film After.
Gender-neutral awards introduced for the first time
A significant milestone marked this year’s ceremony, as Bodil Awards eliminated gender-specific categories for actors. Categories previously divided into male and female roles were combined into “Best Lead Role” and “Best Supporting Role,” aligning the acting awards with non-gendered categories like “Best Director” and “Best Cinematography.”
Nanna Frank Rasmussen, head of Danske Filmkritikere, emphasized this change, stating, “We have long debated whether artistic quality should be tied to gender. We believe it shouldn’t.”
Winners at the 2025 Bodil Awards
The night’s biggest winner was Vejen hjem, securing “Best Film” and “Best Screenplay” awards, the latter awarded to Nagieb Khaja, Jesper Fink, and Charlotte Sieling. Sidse Babett Knudsen was recognized as “Best Lead Role” for her performance in Vogter, while Lars Ranthe secured “Best Supporting Role” for Fuld af kærlighed, describing his victory as “an incredibly wonderful feeling.”
Other notable winners included Adam Wallensten as “Best Cinematographer” for Birthday Girl and the documentary The Son and the Moon. The English-language film Poor Things won in its respective category.
Special recognitions included the “Sær-Bodil” awarded to Odense International Film Festival (OFF), while actress Line Lund Jørgensen received TV 2’s Talent Prize.
Embracing change in cinema
Reflecting on the gender-neutral categories, Lars Ranthe voiced cautious optimism: “I don’t really know how to feel about it yet. But I hope we all become wiser. It’s an attempt to create more inclusive spaces, and rather than dismissing it as a fad, I choose to embrace it.”
The Bodil Awards, founded by Danish film critics in 1948, remain one of Denmark’s most respected film honors, continually adapting to reflect the evolving landscape of cinema and society.
