Sentimental Value has won the Oscar for best international feature at the 98th Academy Awards.

The film is the first Norwegian film to win the honour; seven films have previously been nominated. Sentimental Value has seven nominations, but this is its first win.

Directed by Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value was Norway’s entry into the Oscars and stars Stellan Skarsgård as a film director estranged from his daughters (played by Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas).

Accepting the award, Trier said he felt compelled to act as a spokesperson for the international community of film-makers, saying this year’s nominees showed “important, beautiful films that reflect our present crises and the crisis of the past”.

He added: “I want to end by paraphrasing the wonderful American writer James Baldwin, who makes us remember that all adults are responsible for all children, and let’s not vote for politicians who don’t take this seriously and into account.”

Award presenter Javier Bardem had won substantial applause for his call of “Free Palestine” as he came on stage shortly before.

Sentimental Value came out on top in a category that included It Was Just An Accident, directed by Jafar Panahi, The Secret Agent directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, and The Voice of Hind Rajab directed by Kaouther Ben Hania.

The film premiered at the Cannes film festival in May 2025, where it won the second place Grand Prix; it subsequently went on to win the best film not in the English language award at the Baftas and six European film awards, including best film.