Igor Devold
About
Leiv Igor Devold is a Polish‑Norwegian film director with a Master’s degree in Film Directing from the National Film School in Łódź. His films have been nominated for five Amanda Awards, including Best Director. Devold served as the president of the Directors Guild of Norway (Norske filmregissører) from 2022 to 2026.
He has completed a TV‑documentary directing program at Lillehammer University College and holds a minor in Media Studies and a basic degree in Social Economics from the University of Oslo. Devold has directed, written, and/or produced more than twelve documentaries and short films that have screened at international festivals and on television channels such as the BBC, NRK, TV 2, DR 3, SVT, YLE, TVP, and Planet+.
In 2015 Devold debuted in cinemas with the documentary The Accidental Rock Star about alternative Norwegian rock band Kaizers Orchestra. The film won the Amanda for Best Editing and the audience award at Kosmorama and received several other nominations, including at CPH:DOX. In 2017 his film Thea – Two Summers, One Winter which aired as the opening film of Dokument 2 on TV 2 was nominated for the Prix Europa for the documentary. His work has been shown at festivals such as Annecy, Frameline, Warsaw, BIFF, Kosmorama, Dubai, Beirut, IDFA, and more than one hundred others.
Before joining NTNU, Devold led the documentary‑program faculty at the TV‑School in Lillehammer and worked as the film coordinator for the Cancer Society. He is chair of Cinemateket, an art-house cinema in Trondheim. He has previously served on the board of the Grimstad Short Film Festival, the Norwegian Film Union, and has been on the short‑ and documentary‑film comissioning committee of the Arts Council Norway.
In his research career, Devold focuses on artistic development in film directing, especially through the feature film Norwegian Dream. The film premiered at Kosmorama in 2023, sold over 13 000 cinema tickets in Norway, and was screened internationally at festivals such as Inside Out (Toronto) and Frameline (the world’s oldest continuously running LGBTQ film festival). It was nominated for three Amanda Awards and has won several international prizes. Norwegian Dream explores labor migration, queer love, and intersectional identity and has been sold to territories including Germany, Poland, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Austria, the Benelux region, the United States, and Canada. In the summer of 2024 the film was sold to HBO Max for the EU‑11 countries.
Recently supervised master films
- 2026 – Casa Rossa, directed by Mathias Kartveit Mikalsen, NTNU.
- 2025 – Hjerteknuser (Heartbreaker), directed by Elise Marie Oppegård, NTNU.
- 2024 – Planene vi aldri la (The Plans We Never Laid), directed by Sondre Strømholm, NTNU.
Recently supervised master theseses
- 2026 – Primary supervisor for a master’s thesis in Film Directing by Mathias Kartveit Mikalsen, NTNU.
- 2024 – Primary supervisor for a master’s thesis in Film and Video Production by Sondre Strømholm, NTNU. Thesis title: “Editing Emotions in Real‑time: A Practical‑Theoretical Exploration of How Real‑time Cutting Can Influence the Viewer’s Emotions.”
Publications
2025
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2025)
Fra Cannes til krise: Norsk filmbransje trenger hjelp nå.
Dagsavisen
Commentary
2024
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2024)
Norwegian Dream review – queer romance speaks for all the oppressed underclasses | Film | The Guardian.
Film
2023
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
En vakker og viktig film.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
(+) En fortelling om identitet, klasseforskjeller og kjærlighet.
Film
-
Iversen, Gunnar;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
Analysen: Norwegian Dream (2023).
Montages.no
Professional article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
ANMELDELSE: «Norwegian Dream».
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
Førpremiere og panelsamtale: Norwegian Dream | Landsorganisasjonen i Norge.
Exhibition
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
Norwegian Dream.
Film
2020
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2020)
Å lage film om de glemte.
rushprint.no
Professional article
-
Bjørneraas, Daniel Nilsen;
Bakøy, Eva;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2020)
Dokumentarfilmens Villedende Etikk.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
2018
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2018)
Gabriela Pichlers Amatører er innholdsrik, men mangler hode og hale.
Montages.no
Book review
-
Adams, Robert Alexander;
Andresen, Christer Bakke;
Elvemo, Johan-Magnus;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2018)
Batman! I made you? You made me first.
Institutt for kunst- og medievitenskap
Master thesis
2017
-
Svendsen, Oddvar;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
Boklansering av «Eirik Raudes land» | UiT.
Orkana Forlag
Popular science monograph
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
I guds bakgård: God´s Own Country.
Montages.no
Book review
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
Thea – To somre, en vinter.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
Kaurismäki goes Finland: Den andre siden av håpet.
Montages.no
Book review
2016
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
The act of shooting.
Rushprint
Popular science article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
En filmskole som er seg selv nok.
rushprint.no
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Wajda er død, lenge leve Wajda.
rushprint.no
Popular science article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Mannen som kunne 75 språk. Manus.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Gass eller demokrati? Solbergs Polske dilemma.
Dagsavisen
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Den nye Solidaritetsbeveglsen.
VG : Verdens gang
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Quo Vadis HiL?.
rushprint.no
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Grov manipulasjon av Oscarvinner Ida.
rushprint.no
Commentary
2015
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2015)
Den tilfeldige rockestjernen.
Film
2014
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2014)
Salt.
Film
2013
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2013)
Inn i Kaizers visuelle verden.
Rushprint
Popular science article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2013)
Izriqaq.
Film
2011
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2011)
Drøm videre Violeta by Kaizers Orchestra.
Film
2010
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2010)
Dokumentarfilm : Min norske bestefar My norwegian grandfather / Moj Norweski Dziadek.
Visual arts
2009
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2009)
Agata og munkene.
Film
2007
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2007)
Simons hjelp.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2007)
Yrke regissør: Andrzej Baranski.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2007)
Tyvstart (Falstart).
Film
2004
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2004)
I morgen.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2004)
Journalisten.
Film
Journal publications
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2020)
Å lage film om de glemte.
rushprint.no
Professional article
-
Iversen, Gunnar;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
Analysen: Norwegian Dream (2023).
Montages.no
Professional article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2025)
Fra Cannes til krise: Norsk filmbransje trenger hjelp nå.
Dagsavisen
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2018)
Gabriela Pichlers Amatører er innholdsrik, men mangler hode og hale.
Montages.no
Book review
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
The act of shooting.
Rushprint
Popular science article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
En filmskole som er seg selv nok.
rushprint.no
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Wajda er død, lenge leve Wajda.
rushprint.no
Popular science article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
I guds bakgård: God´s Own Country.
Montages.no
Book review
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2013)
Inn i Kaizers visuelle verden.
Rushprint
Popular science article
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Gass eller demokrati? Solbergs Polske dilemma.
Dagsavisen
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Den nye Solidaritetsbeveglsen.
VG : Verdens gang
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Quo Vadis HiL?.
rushprint.no
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Grov manipulasjon av Oscarvinner Ida.
rushprint.no
Commentary
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
Kaurismäki goes Finland: Den andre siden av håpet.
Montages.no
Book review
Artistic productions
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
En vakker og viktig film.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2024)
Norwegian Dream review – queer romance speaks for all the oppressed underclasses | Film | The Guardian.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
(+) En fortelling om identitet, klasseforskjeller og kjærlighet.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
ANMELDELSE: «Norwegian Dream».
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
Førpremiere og panelsamtale: Norwegian Dream | Landsorganisasjonen i Norge.
Exhibition
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2010)
Dokumentarfilm : Min norske bestefar My norwegian grandfather / Moj Norweski Dziadek.
Visual arts
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2015)
Den tilfeldige rockestjernen.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2023)
Norwegian Dream.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2011)
Drøm videre Violeta by Kaizers Orchestra.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2009)
Agata og munkene.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2007)
Simons hjelp.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2007)
Yrke regissør: Andrzej Baranski.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2014)
Salt.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2013)
Izriqaq.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2016)
Mannen som kunne 75 språk. Manus.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2007)
Tyvstart (Falstart).
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
Thea – To somre, en vinter.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2004)
I morgen.
Film
-
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2004)
Journalisten.
Film
Books
-
Svendsen, Oddvar;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2017)
Boklansering av «Eirik Raudes land» | UiT.
Orkana Forlag
Popular science monograph
Student thesis or dissertation
-
Bjørneraas, Daniel Nilsen;
Bakøy, Eva;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2020)
Dokumentarfilmens Villedende Etikk.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Master thesis
-
Adams, Robert Alexander;
Andresen, Christer Bakke;
Elvemo, Johan-Magnus;
Devold, Leiv Igor.
(2018)
Batman! I made you? You made me first.
Institutt for kunst- og medievitenskap
Master thesis
Teaching
Courses
Outreach
2026
-
PodcastDevold, Leiv Igor. (2026) Jeg er ikke polakken din - Litteraturhuset i Trondheim | Podcast on Spotify.
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Interview
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Feature article
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Other presentationDevold, Leiv Igor; Dreyer, Tore Fredrik; Torjussen, Thomas Seeberg; Hofseth, Anders; Myrseth, Cecilie; Sandvik, Hilde. (2026) Åpningskonferansen - Tromsø Internasjonale Filmfestival. Åpningskonferansen på filmfestivalen i Tromsø
2025
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Other presentationHaugerud, Dag Johan; Devold, Leiv Igor. (2025) Filmsamtale - Dag Johan Haugerud med Leiv Igor Devold. Dypdykk i Dag Johan Haugeruds filmer
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InterviewJaeger, Toef; Devold, Leiv Igor. (2025) Regisseur Devold over succes Noorse films: ‘Om onafhankelijk van VS te worden zou Europa cultuurbudgetten moeten verhogen’.
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Feature articleDevold, Leiv Igor; Kringstad, Åse; Sjaastad, Elisabeth; Grimstad, Per Emil; Staalen, Øyvind Rune; Christoffersen, Morten; Pedersen, Espen Lundberg. (2025) Norsk films største seier – og kanskje den siste – Ytring.
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Lecture
-
Other presentation
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Feature article
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Feature article
-
Feature article
-
InterviewDevold, Leiv Igor. (2025) Trur ei insentivordning kan berge filmbransjen i Noreg – NRK Troms og Finnmark.
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PodcastLismoen, Kjetil; Devold, Leiv Igor; Liavaag, Ingrid. (2025) Filmsamtalen med Igor Devold og Ingrid Liavaag.
2024
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InterviewDevold, Leiv Igor. (2024) Jak Norwegowie widzą Polaków? Ostrzegano mnie przed "polskimi bandami" | Newsweek.
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InterviewDevold, Leiv Igor. (2024) Wielu imigrantom się nie spodobało. Mówili: "Teraz ludzie pomyślą, że wszyscy Polacy to geje".
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Reader opinion
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Other presentationDevold, Leiv Igor; Graver, Dyveke Bjørkli; Meinich, Karsten Tahsin Buyukakan; Ingolfsdottir, Lilja; Kvamme, Elsa. (2024) Filmer vi gjerne skulle ha sett. Filmer vi gjerne skulle sett?
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Interview
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InterviewDevold, Leiv Igor. (2024) Kritikere kaller det «doc washing». Kan vi stole på kjendisenes historiefortelling?.
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Feature articleDevold, Leiv Igor; Svingen, Anita; Stålen, Øyvind Rune. (2024) «Som å pisse i buksa for å holde varmen.».
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LectureDevold, Leiv Igor. (2024) Gjesteforelesning i regi - Den polske filmskolen. Norwegian dream - a case study in directing
2023
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Interview
-
Interview
-
Feature articleDevold, Leiv Igor; Ugelstad, Ellen; Sjaastad, Elisabeth; Stålen, Øyvind Rune. (2023) Ytringsfriheten i filmbransjen.
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Other presentationDevold, Leiv Igor. (2023) Fullt hus på debatt om ytringsfrihet under Arendalsuka | NFI. Hvem setter rammene for den kunstneriske friheten?
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Interview
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Interview
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Interview
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Interview
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Interview
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InterviewDevold, Leiv Igor. (2023) Stor heder til det heltrønderske prosjektet: - Det er ganske vilt - adressa.no.
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Interview
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Interview
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InterviewDevold, Leiv Igor. (2023) – Blant kommentarene vi fikk var: «Hvis Hitler hadde levd så hadde han hatt mye å gjøre».
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Contribution to radio or TV
2022
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Interview
2020
-
Feature articleDevold, Leiv Igor; Jonczy-Adamska, Malgorzata. (2020) Frykt og avsky i Polen - Polens president Andrzej Duda går igjen til valg på å dehumanisere den skeive befolkningen.
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Contribution to radio or TV
2019
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Contribution to radio or TV
2018
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Contribution to radio or TVDevold, Leiv Igor; Grønbech, Turi. (2018) Studio 2 NRK - samtale om Wojciech Smarzowskis polske film Kler (The clergy).
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Interview
-
Contribution to radio or TV
-
Feature article
2017
-
Contribution to radio or TV
-
Contribution to radio or TV
-
Feature article
-
Feature article
2015
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
Interview
2013
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
Interview
2012
-
Interview
2011
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
Interview
-
Interview
2008
-
Interview