The morning after receiving nine Oscar nominations, Joachim Trier was still processing the enormity of what just happened to his film Sentimental Value.
For a filmmaker who grew up watching the ceremony with his parents in Oslo, this wasn’t just validation—it was a full-circle moment.
And the Danish-Norwegian director couldn’t stop talking about one thing: his cast.
In his first interview since the nomination announcement, Trier revealed what the historic recognition means for international cinema and why his unconventional filmmaking approach just earned Hollywood’s highest honor.
Elle Fanning’s Name Came First—And Trier Nearly Lost It
When the nominations were announced Thursday morning, Trier watched as Sentimental Value racked up an impressive nine nods across major categories.
But one moment stood out above all others.
The first name out of all the nominations to be called was Elle Fanning! She’s such a prolific actor and she’s had a career for so long and she came to our film and blessed it with her smartness and her craft. She’s just a lovely person.
Fanning earned a best supporting actress nomination alongside co-star Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, who was announced immediately after.
Trier described hearing both names back-to-back as “very moving,” a sentiment that captured his emotional reaction to seeing his entire “film family” recognized.
A Historic Haul for International Cinema
Sentimental Value didn’t just break through—it dominated.
The Norwegian-language film secured nominations in:
- Best Picture
- Best Director (Joachim Trier)
- Best Actress (Renate Reinsve)
- Best Supporting Actress (Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas)
- Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgård)
- Best Editing
- Best Original Screenplay (Trier and Eskil Vogt)
- Best International Feature
For Trier, landing best picture as a Norwegian-language film represents something bigger than personal achievement.
That’s why I’m blessed. I don’t take this for granted. I’ve traveled around festivals my whole adult life, seen short films and great films that don’t necessarily get the attention it deserves.
His First Best Director Nomination Came as a Shock
Despite previous nominations with writing partner Eskil Vogt, Trier’s first best director nod caught him off guard.
I wasn’t expecting it. I’m really, really happy. It means a lot. The group I’m nominated with, I know all of them. They’re my friends, actually, and they’re really great directors, all of them. So to be included in that group is a win already for me.
For someone who’s had a camera in hand since childhood—coming from a third-generation filmmaking family—the recognition hits differently.
Trier described it as “a really big deal,” particularly because he’s competing alongside directors he considers colleagues and friends.
The Cast That Made It All Possible
Throughout the interview, Trier repeatedly circled back to one theme: gratitude for his performers.
Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve weren’t just cast—they were specifically written for by Trier and Vogt.
Stellan and Renate, we wrote for them… We really wanted to work with them, and they said yes, and I think that that’s been a blessing, that the actors have really been brave and gone vulnerable and done risky stuff and taken a leap of faith with this project.
That vulnerability clearly resonated with Academy voters, who honored four of the film’s five lead and supporting performances.
Why His Unconventional Financing Approach Just Got Validated
Trier doesn’t make films the Hollywood way—and he’s unapologetic about it.
Working through European co-productions, he’s previously turned down financiers who didn’t align with his vision.
I work in a very particular way, in a very particular climate, don’t I? I’m not into any power games… I do a lot of screenings, both Stateside and in Norway, for a lot of ordinary people who go to the movies.
His method involves extensive audience testing with regular moviegoers, crafting films that respect viewer intelligence rather than spoon-feeding answers.
The Academy’s recognition of this approach feels particularly meaningful to Trier, who acknowledges his financing model remains “unusual” by American standards.
What Performance Stunned Him This Awards Season
When asked about standout performances beyond his own film, Trier didn’t hesitate.
He praised the ensemble work in One Battle After Another, calling out director Paul Thomas Anderson as “maybe the greatest director of our generation.”
I feel that the whole group is really, really incredible, and it’s led by a wonderful director, obviously. So I’m very proud that we are traveling alongside that film.
What Comes Next: Campaign Mode Activated
With the 2026 Oscars scheduled for March 15, Trier faces months of campaigning ahead.
But unlike some nominees who dread the circuit, he’s genuinely looking forward to it—especially since his entire family joined him in Los Angeles for the announcement.
Eskil and I have been nominated before, so I know how much fun it is to be a part of this, to meet colleagues, go to dinners and talk about movies.
For now, though, Trier is simply savoring the moment.
That little kid watching the Oscars in Oslo with his filmmaker parents just became one of the ceremony’s most celebrated nominees—proof that staying true to an unconventional vision can lead to Hollywood’s biggest stage.