Danish film “Det andet offer” (The Second Victim) won Best Danish Feature Film at the 2026 Robert Awards, while debutant director Zinnini Elkington took home multiple prizes. Meanwhile, “Pigen med nålen” (The Girl with the Needle) collected the most awards overall, especially in technical categories.
Hospital Drama Takes Top Prize
The Robert Awards 2026 ceremony took place Saturday evening at the Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center in Copenhagen. Det andet offer emerged as the winner of Best Danish Feature Film. The hospital drama follows a doctor working a hectic shift in a neurological ward who makes a critical error in judgment with fatal consequences.
First-time feature director Zinnini Elkington celebrated her debut with remarkable success. She won both Best Director and Best Screenplay for the film. The recognition marks a strong entrance into Danish cinema for the filmmaker.
Özlem Saglanmak received a Robert Award for her performance as the doctor in the film. Her portrayal captured the intense pressure and consequences faced by medical professionals making split-second decisions.
Trine Dyrholm Wins for Supporting Role
Trine Dyrholm was nominated for her role as the mother of the patient at the center of Det andet offer but did not win in that category. However, she still took home a Robert Award that evening. She was also nominated for her supporting role in Pigen med nålen, and won the statue for that performance instead.
Despite Det andet offer winning Best Danish Feature Film, Pigen med nålen received the most Robert Awards overall. The period drama dominated especially in technical categories. Beyond Dyrholm’s win, Besir Zeciri also took home an acting prize for his work in the film.
Netflix Series Dominates Television Categories
The Robert Awards also celebrated the best in Danish television series. The Danish Netflix series “Legenden” (The Legend) became the most-watched series on the streaming platform during week 44 with 11.3 million views. The viewership included members of the Danish Film Academy who vote on the awards.
The academy rewarded the series generously. Clara Dessau, Afshin Firouzi, and Maria Cordsen each received Robert Awards for Best Female Lead, Best Male Lead, and Best Female Supporting Role respectively. All three actors will reprise their roles in the series’ second season, which Netflix announced just days before the ceremony.
Other Notable Winners in Film Categories
Anders Thomas Jensen’s “Den sidste viking” (The Last Viking) won the Nordic Film Theaters’ Audience Award. The director is known for his work in Danish cinema alongside other acclaimed filmmakers.
In supporting roles, Anders Mossling won Best Male Supporting Role for “Min evige sommer” (My Eternal Summer). The children’s and youth film category went to “Honey,” directed by Natasha Arthy.
The documentary award was given to “Mr. Nobody mod Putin” (Mr. Nobody Against Putin), directed by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin. Producer Marianne Christensen received the Honorary Robert Award for her contributions to Danish film.
Television Awards Spread Across Multiple Series
While “Legenden” dominated the acting categories, it did not win Best Series. That honor went to another Danish Netflix production, “Reservatet” (The Reserve). The win demonstrates the strength of Danish content on international streaming platforms.
After ten seasons, “Klovn” finally received recognition at the Robert Awards. Casper Christensen and Frank Hvam saw their series win Best Short TV Series. The comedy has been a staple of Danish television for years.
Emotional Win for Jan Linnebjerg
Jan Linnebjerg won Best Male Supporting Role in the television category for the DR drama “Generationer” (Generations). The actor, who celebrated his 66th birthday on the same evening, was moved to tears during his acceptance speech.
For decades, Linnebjerg had been closely associated with the Pyrus character from the beloved Danish children’s series. In his speech, he expressed gratitude for being welcomed back into dramatic roles without prejudice. He thanked the industry for allowing him to return to his craft and work in different capacities.
About the Robert Awards
The Robert Awards are presented by the Danish Film Academy. The academy’s membership votes on which films, series, and industry professionals should be nominated. The same members cast the final votes to determine the winners.
The academy consists of more than 3,300 members who all work professionally in the film and television industry. This ensures that the awards reflect the judgment of industry peers rather than outside critics or audiences alone.
The ceremony continues to be one of the most important events in the Danish entertainment calendar. It recognizes achievements across both film and television, highlighting the country’s contributions to Scandinavian and international media.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Thomas Vinterberg: Director Redefining Global Cinema
The Danish Dream: Best Cinemas in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Instruktørs debutfilm tog Robert-statuetten for bedste danske film
