Abloom Film Festival
Through film, debate, seminars, and other events, the Abloom Film Festival continues to put the lives and rights of people with disabilities on the agenda – regardless of their background.
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About the festival
The Abloom Film Festival is held every year during Awareness Week (week 47) in Oslo, with events also taking place in Drammen and Lillestrøm, as well as digitally. The festival has a special focus on minority-language children and young people with disabilities.
The festival was first held in 2012 under the name “Handy Film Festival” and has since grown into a year-round organization with a wide range of activities, including counselling services, the pop-up festival for children Mini Abloom, courses and seminars, and projects such as “Disability – Not a Divine Punishment.” But the main event remains the Abloom Film Festival in week 47.
Since 2020, the festival has also been accessible digitally, with selected events streamed online. Week 47 is also designated as Awareness Week – a major information campaign to raise awareness about the situation of children and young people living with disabilities.
Abloom Film Festival 2026
The 14th Abloom Film Festival takes place 16–21 November 2026 in Oslo, Drammen, and Lillestrøm, as well as digitally.
This year’s festival highlights the autism perspective more prominently within the cultural field. The programme includes film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and the annual conference day.
Key dates:
- Conference Day: 16 November 2026 – Filmens Hus, Oslo
- Festival Week: 16–21 November 2026
- Abloom Children’s Jury: Application deadline 1 June
- Film submissions: Open via FilmFreeway
- Abloom Prize nominations: 1 May – 1 September
Visit www.abloomfilmfestival.no for the full programme, tickets, and registration.
What makes the festival unique
We want good documentaries, as well as enlightening and feature films about living with disabilities, to contribute to a more positive and fair society for all. The Abloom Film Festival is a special meeting place where people from all walks of life come together to learn, share, and be inspired.
Our core audience includes families with minority-language backgrounds where one or more children have disabilities, school students, refugees and asylum seekers, as well as representatives from public authorities, organizations, and the film industry. By bringing all these groups together, we foster understanding, break down prejudices, and create lasting change.
The Abloom Prize
Each year, the Abloom Prize is awarded to a film that strengthens inclusion, representation, and disability diversity. The prize is presented during Children’s Day at the festival. Learn more about the Abloom Prize.
Submit your film
We accept film submissions via FilmFreeway. We are looking for films that explore inclusion, disability, identity, belonging, and diversity – with particular attention to children and young people.
