Why You Can’t Miss This New Film Festival in Copenhagen

Written By Jesper Isaksen

Copenhagen’s film scene is getting a bold new addition: the Copenhagen Headliner Film Festival (CHFF). From July 17–24, Grand Teatret will host a week of international cinema, including Oscar winners, Cannes and Berlin favorites, and emerging filmmakers you might not expect.

CHFF is not just about the big names—it’s about curated storytelling. Alongside major award-winning films, audiences will also discover new cinematic voices that are bold, daring, and unforgettable.

Held at the historic Grand Teatret, the festival blends a cozy atmosphere with world-class programming. Attendees can enjoy Q&As, informal networking, and a carefully designed lineup that invites deeper engagement.

View the full program and grab your tickets now:

Jesper Isaksen

Jesper Isaksen is a talented director based in Copenhagen, Denmark. His first short NIMA (16 min.) a homemade low budget gangster tale from the streets of Copenhagen was shown at Danish National Television.

Another short gangster tale NO EXIT (12. min) was selected semifinalist out of more than 15.000 short films in the global "YourFilmFestival" conducted by Ridley & Tony Scott and Michael Fassbender. The first prize was 500.000 USD. NO EXIT went on to participate in the biggest and most prestigious short film festival in Denmark "EKKO SHORTLIST" and went straight to the top 10 and stayed there for 11 consecutive weeks straight.

The sequel, NO EXIT 2 - RISE AGAINST, also participated in "EKKO SHORTLIST" with a 1st place as the highest ranking. It went on to roam the top 10 in 13 consecutive weeks straight. NO EXIT 2 was later nominated in two categories "The Shortlist Award" and also "The Audience Award" at EKKO Award Show 2014.

The short film comedy THE VISITOR premiered at Orlando Film festival in 2018 and also received a nomination for "Best Foreign Language Short Film". In 2019 it got selected as part of the Official Selection at the BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival and also won the "Best Comedy" award at Annual Aarhus Film Festival. It later roamed the top 10 at EKKO Shortlist 2019/2020 with a 1st place as the highest ranking.

In the fall of 2019 Jesper finished his first feature film VICTIM OF LOVE, a dense psychological and bloody yet stylish horror-thriller starring Danish powerhouse actor Rudi Køhnke. It premiered Saturday the 16th of November 2019 at the biggest feature film festival in Denmark, CPH PIX. It also received a Robert nomination by the Danish Film Academy for "Best Original Song" by Julian Winding at The Danish Film Awards 2020. Robert is equivalent to the American Oscar, the French César and the British BAFTA.

VICTIM OF LOVE has had a pretty strong festival run earning 19 wins and 33 nominations so far. It will continue its festival run in 2021 and hopefully reach even more awesome festivals and horror and genre audiences across the world.

VICTIM OF LOVE is being distributed by Another World Entertainment in Denmark and Indican Pictures & Lionsgate worldwide.

Jesper has also directed more than 20 music videos.

http://www.jesperisaksen.com
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Soundvenue writes about CHFF