BUTTERFLY is opening film of AMIFF 2026
BUTTERFLY opens the Arctic Moving Image & Film Festival (AMIFF) 2026. Director Itonje Sømner Guttormsen will be in conversation with director of Kabelvåg School of Moving Image, UiT Arctic University of Norway, Katja Jacobsen. The conversation will be in Norwegain. The film will have english subtitles.
“An unforgettable holiday in the sun” – Bergens Tidende 6
“Perhaps the most interesting Norwegian film of the year” – VG 5
“Wild, touching, and highly original” – Cinema 5
“Renate Reinsve shines” – Aftenposten 5
“A powerful, vibrant, and rich experience” – P4 5
“Fresh and engaging” – NRK 5
“A delightful witches’ brew; Reinsve and Bjørneby are absolutely brilliant” – Klassekampen 5
“A humorous and visual masterpiece” – TBA 9/10
ABOUT THE FILM
Half-sisters Lily (Renate Reinsve) and Diana (Helene Bjørneby) reluctantly return to Gran Canaria, where their mother died under mysterious circumstances. When the sisters discover that their mother had been living a completely secret life, they embark on a journey following in her wild footsteps. We are taken on a trip from the tourist-heavy hubs to the hidden heart of Gran Canaria—an alternative universe tucked away in the Canary Islands’ mountains.
Butterfly introduces us to a world rich in color, rituals, and emotion, captivating the audience with a tone that is both humorous and deeply moving. It is a life-affirming and original cinematic experience, featuring Reinsve and Bjørneby as the sisters, Lillian Müller as their mother, and Numan Acar as her much younger lover. The film was shot on location, exploring both the “Norwegian” side of Gran Canaria and settings largely unknown to most Norwegians. A reviewer at tbatba.no writes:
- Itonje Søimer Guttormsen must be one of Norway’s absolute funniest filmmakers. Butterfly is a humorous and visual masterpiece that takes its characters and setting with the utmost seriousness. Butterfly vibrates with creative energy, originality, and sublime cinematic craftsmanship. Without a doubt, one of the top recommendations of the film year. Rating: 9/10
WINNER OF THE CRITICS’ AWARD AT THE HAUGESUND FILM FESTIVAL:
- This year’s Film Critics’ Award honors one of Norway’s most distinctive and original filmmakers, and a film that is both exceptionally entertaining and deeply moving. With a striking visual style, the film explores a strong connection to place and landscape, as well as the complexities of human relationships. The performances are equally compelling, allowing each actor to showcase the full range of their abilities.
Itonje Søimer Guttormsen
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Itonje Søimer Guttormsen (b. 1979) is a director and artist based in Oslo. She studied at the European Film College, the Norwegian Film School, and the Valand Academy in Sweden. Her short film Retrett (2016) won several international awards, while her feature film debut, Gritt (2021), premiered in the Tiger Competition in Rotterdam and was acquired for global distribution by MUBI. Her latest film, Butterfly (2026), premiered in Rotterdam and was selected for the Nordic Competition at the Göteborg Film Festival.