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DOGMA 25 changes the course of Danish film
Thirty years after DOGMA 95, five filmmakers unite in an artistic collective based on a shared manifesto and a new vow of chastity comprising ten new dogmas to protect the artistic integrity of feature film and create space for uncompromising cinematic storytelling.
Three decades after the first Dogma wave, five notable filmmakers are initiating a new movement: DOGMA 25. The collective, founded in May 2025, consists of directors May el-Toukhy, Milad Alami, Annika Berg, Isabella Eklöf, and Jesper Just, and is a defiant response to current events.
In their new manifesto, the five filmmakers state:
- We celebrate DOGMA 95, the filmmakers who came before us, and those who will come after. We stand together to defend artistic freedom as a shield against pointlessness and powerlessness. DOGMA 25 is a rescue mission and a cultural uprising.
With their shared manifesto and vow of chastity, the five filmmakers aim to redefine the terms for filmmaking at a time where productions and crews are growing, processes are rushed, and technological makeup takes precedence, paradoxically leading to less value for money. The purpose of the manifesto is to assert the artistic value of film and create works based on the principles of cinematic art. As the manifesto states:
- In a world where formulaic films based on algorithms and artificial visual expression are gaining traction, it is our mission to stand up for the flawed, distinct, and human imprint. We champion the uncompromising and unpredictable and we fight against the forces working to reduce cinematic art to an ultra-processed consumer product.
The ten dogmas of the vow of chastity
With the manifesto and the vow of chastity, the five directors commit to working within a structure that requires immersion, restraint, and artistic necessity. The vow of chastity contains ten dogmas that collectively adhere to three core themes:
Back to the physical reality
The internet may not be used for creative processes. The films must be made in less than one year, and with no more than ten people behind the camera. The script must be written by hand.
Aesthetic restraint
At least half the film must be without dialogue. Nothing can be brand new – all equipment, costume, and set design must be borrowed, found, or used. Makeup is only allowed if it’s part of the narrative.
Economic and geographic accountability
The film must be shot where the narrative takes place. Funding may only be accepted if it doesn’t affect the content.
The vow of chastity and the ten dogmas in their entirety can be found below.
Thirty years ago, film directors Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, Søren Kragh-Jacobsen and Kristian Levring joined forces in a revolt against the established film industry. A revolt culminating in a vow of chastity – a set of rules that would simplify production and bring the stories closer to the audience.
With DOGMA 95, the four directors created an extraordinary movement that resonated across the globe and signified a breakthrough for Danish film. An impressive 212 Danish and international feature films were characterised as Dogma films, and among the major successes were The Celebration, The Idiots, Mifune,Italian for Beginners and Open Hearts.
Now – three decades later – a new group of noticeable filmmakers take the stage. Drawing on their respective artistic practices, the five directors have laid the foundation for courageous and uncompromising film narratives, insisting on presence, necessity, and integrity – both as a collective movement and individual challenge.
A director-driven initiative facilitated by the industry
DOGMA 25 is an initiative of May el-Toukhy, who has brought together the five directors. In late 2024, she reached out to Zentropa in order to establish the initiative together as a space for development, reflection and innovation. Louise Vesth and Sisse Graum Jørgensen, two of Zentropa’s managing directors and highly experienced producers, are in charge of the financing and launch of DOGMA 25.
The project will come to life through a collaboration between Zentropa, DR and Nordisk Film Distribution, who will provide the base funding that will make it possible to create the films under the conditions set up by DOGMA 25. The goal is to achieve further funding as the films take shape.
The Danish Film Institute is providing support for the development of the concept and manifesto as well as production, while TrustNordisk will oversee the international sales and ensure a wide global distribution for the films.
Thomas Vinterberg and Lars von Trier, the founders of the Dogma 95 movement 30 years ago, says:
”In ’95, we made films in the certainty of peace. And created a revolt against conformity. In ’25, new dogmas are created, now in a world of war and uncertainty. We wish you the best of luck on your march toward reconquering Danish film.” – Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg in a shared statement.
The Danish Broadcasting Corporation is likewise excited about the prospect of a new Dogma wave:
"There was no doubt we would wholeheartedly back DOGMA 25. We agree with the necessity of finding new directions in order to build talent and bring new voices into Danish film. The project has a great energy and excitement to it, and the basic principle of scaling down to get to the bare bones is an original way of creating and redefining Danish Film. We were there for DOGMA 95, so of course we are also along for the journey in 2025.” – Henriette Marienlund, Head of Drama at DR.
Nordisk Film Distribution looks forward to screening the new Dogma films at Danish cinemas:
”We are very excited to be part of DOGMA 25. At a time where there is a huge amount of content for the audience, and the competition for its attention is fierce, we firmly believe that the time is right for the next generation of the Dogma movement. Dogma has always centred around relevant stories, and the market today needs a good story more than ever. We very much look forward to distributing the Dogma films in the Nordics.” – Kenneth Wiberg, SVP at Nordisk Film Distribution.
At TrustNordisk, there is excitement at the prospect of selling the features internationally:
”I am thrilled that five such talented directors are ready to conquer the world with a new, inspiring, and creative manifesto and an ambition to create original and uncompromising stories with a new approach to storytelling. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary for DOGMA 95, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. We look very much forward to being part of this brand new era.” – Susan Wendt, Managing Director at TrustNordisk.
The new initiative is also met with excitement at The Danish Film Institute:
”Any system, even one that runs impeccably, needs examining. Needs challenging. Needs to cast a courageous look on itself. Throughout the last decades, Danish film has distinguished itself internationally with myriads of Academy and Cannes nominations and a unique position in our own market. We are known globally as a strong nation for film, and Danes here at home love Danish film. But no success has a lifetime guarantee. 30 years ago, DOGMA 95 turned the eyes of the world toward Denmark and left a radical imprint on our national self image as a filmmaking nation. The people were few, the number of films limited, but the impact was huge. We need these brave artistic visions now more than ever. Visions befitting a new time – which is exactly what the new DOGMA 25 represents: A strong group of noticeably different filmmakers, who have collectively committed to artistic radicalism. How do we make films, how do we ensure our freedom of expression in a distinctly challenged geopolitical world, and how do we safeguard the singularity of art. As a film institute, we are facing a time where our cultural contributions are tasked with ensuring state of the art Danish films – now and in the future. It’s not a simple task, but deep inside the task lies the ability, as a system, to make space for film as a free art form, for innovation and perspectives. This is why we are especially happy and proud to support DOGMA 25 in their early stage, both with concept development and the international launch in Cannes.” – Tine Fischer, Director of The Danish Film Institute.
For more information, please find contact details below.
Kind regards,
HAVE Kommunikation
Contact:
Lasse Mucha Andersen, lasse@have.dk
Mob.: +45 24 81 54 47
Michael Feder, michael@have.dk
Mob.: +45 22 43 49 42
Press stills, manifest and the vow of chastity:
Download here
Manifesto:
DOGMA 25 is a collective of filmmakers founded in Copenhagen in the spring of 2025. Our stated purpose is to preserve the originality of cinema and the opportunity to create film on its own terms.
The role of the director has increasingly been reduced to that of project manager, the film to a commodity, and the audience to consumers. Experimental practice is stifled by fear of risk-taking, which suffocates artistic exploration and silences unique voices. When films are merely executed and not allowed to evolve organically, it puts the art form in danger of becoming functional, obedient and thereby irrelevant.
In a world where formulaic films based on algorithms and artificial visual expression are gaining traction, it’s our mission to stand up for the flawed, distinct, and human imprint. We champion the uncompromising and unpredictable and we fight the forces working to reduce cinematic art to an ultra-processed consumer good.
By scaling down production, we ensure that everyone on the team has an intimate relationship with the film and its message. This will enhance mutual trust and a sense of collective responsibility for the film and for each other. It also allows us to safeguard the flexibility that is vital in making a creative process dynamic and intuitive, rather than purely executive.
We celebrate DOGMA 95, all the filmmakers who came before us, and those who will come after. We stand together to defend artistic freedom as a shield against pointlessness and powerlessness. DOGMA 25 is a rescue mission and a cultural uprising.
To protect and preserve what we hold dear, we hereby submit to the unflinching and unbreakable set of rules called: THE VOW OF CHASTITY.
THE VOW OF CHASTITY:
I vow to submit to the following set of rules drawn up and confirmed by DOGMA 25:
1. The script must be original and handwritten by the director.
We compel ourselves to write the script by hand in order to nurture the kind of intuition that flows most freely from the dream, channelled through the hand onto the paper.
2. At least half the film must be without dialogue.
We insist on a cinematic approach to filmmaking, because we believe in visual storytelling and have faith in the audience.
3. The internet is off limits in all creative processes.
We commit to produce the films relying on real people within our physical reality – rather than in a digital one infused with algorithms.
4. We’ll only accept funding with no content altering conditions attached.
We assume responsibility for keeping budgets down so the team retains final say in all artistic decisions.
5. No more than 10 people behind the camera.
We commit to working in close collaborations to build trust and strengthen our shared vision.
6. The film must be shot where the narrative takes place.
Film as an art form becomes artificial and generic when we portray a location in a false light.
7. We’re not allowed to use make-up or manipulate faces and bodies unless it’s part of the narrative.
Just as we strive to maintain the authenticity of the location, we also want to portray the human body without a filter. We celebrate it – warts and all.
8. Everything relating to the film’s production must be rented, borrowed, found, or used.
We commit to making films using objects that already exist and renounce the ahistorical and self-destructive culture of consumerism.
9. The film must be made in no more than one year.
We abstain from any lengthy processes that stand in the way of creative flow.
10. Create the film as if it were your last.
The five directors behind DOGMA 25:
May el-Toukhy (b. 1977)
Director and screenwriter. Graduate of the National Film School of Denmark (2009). Debuted with the feature film Long Story Short (2015) and had her breakthrough with the award-winning film Queen of Hearts (2019), which world premiered at Sundance International Film Festival and received numerous awards at festivals all over the world, e.g. the Audience Award at Sundance, the Nordic Council Film Prize as well as 3 awards at Gothenburg International Film Festival. May el-Toukhy has moreover directed multiple episodes of the award-winning Netflix hit series The Crown.
Milad Alami (b. 1982)
Director and screenwriter. Graduate of the National Film School of Denmark (2011). Made his debut with the critically acclaimed feature film The Charmer (2017), which had its international premiere at San Sebastian International Film Festival, while his second feature Opponent (2023) world premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, and became the Swedish contender for the Academy Award, and was nominated for The Nordic Council Film Prize. Besides his work on feature films, he co-created and directed the TV series Bullshit which won several Robert Awards and was praised for its nerve and ambition.
Annika Berg (b. 1987)
Filmmaker and visual artist. Graduate of the National Film School of Denmark (2015). Won a Robert Award for her graduation film SIA. Debuted with Team Hurricane (2017) which won one of the four main awards, Verona Film Club Award, at the world premiere of the Venice International Film Critics' Week, a parallel section of the Venice International Film Festival.
Isabella Eklöf (b. 1978)
Screenwriter and director. Had her directorial debut with the feature film Holiday (2018) which had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival and has since, among other projects, directed the feature film Kalak (2023) based on Kim Leine’s acclaimed novel, which was selected for and received the Special Prize of the Jury at San Sebastian Film Festival in 2023. As a screenwriter Eklöf has also and co-written the feature film Border (2018) with Ali Abbasi.
Jesper Just (b. 1974)
Video artist and filmmaker. Graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts(2003). He represented Denmark at the 55th Venice Biennale and has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions including Palais de Tokyo (Paris), Guggenheim (NYC) and Eye Filmmuseum (Amsterdam). His work is included in several permanent public collections such as MoMA, The Met, Tate Modern and many others. Combines film and installation in artworks that explore gender, space, and perception.
The producers:
Louise Vesth (b. 1973) and Sisse Graum Jørgensen (b. 1972) both have managing roles at Zentropa and are currently considered two of Denmark’s most successful producers. They have received numerous awards and nominations in total, and many of their films have been selected for the film festivals at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, plus many other A-list film festivals over the years. Their films have collectively sold over 10 million Danish cinema tickets, and they have produced nine out of the 15 most viewed Danish theatrical releases over the past 15 years. Between them, they have produced feature films for world-renowned directors such as Lars von Trier, Susanne Bier, Thomas Vinterberg, Nikolaj Arcel, and Anders Thomas Jensen. In 2023, the leading American trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, named them among the 40 most influential women in the international film industry.
About Zentropa:
Zentropa was founded by Peter Aalbæk Jensen and Lars von Trier in 1992 and has since evolved into one of Europe’s leading production companies known for its high international quality and innovative approach to filmmaking. In 1995, Zentropa initiated the DOGMA 95 movement and has since received countless awards and nominations, including two Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film as well as six Academy Award nominations, one Golden Globe statuette and five nominations, the Palme d’Or, and other awards at the Cannes Film Festival, one BAFTA Award, and 22 European Film Awards.
