Mikael Rieks

Source: Andrejs Strokins

Mikael Rieks

Mikael Rieks will join Danish production powerhouse Zentropa to work as a producer, from January 1, 2026.

Danish producer Rieks will join from Nordisk Film Production, where he has worked for 13 years.

He will continue working on Nordisk Film titles To New Beginnings by Paprika Steen and Woman, Unknown by May el-Toukhy until both films are completed and have had local and international festival launches.

Rieks will work alongside Zentropa producers and management members Louise Vesth and Sisse Graum Jorgensen.

His credits include producing the latest two adaptations of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Department Q books, 2021’s The Marco Effect and 2024’s Boundless, directed by Martin Zandvliet and Ole Christian Madsen respectively.

Rieks also produced Zandvliet’s Land Of Mine, which was nominated for the best international feature Oscar in 2017.

To New Beginnings had its world premiere at Zurich in September, launching at the Danish box office earlier this month; while el-Toukhy’s Woman, Unknown recently wrapped filming.

“Martin’s ability to combine artistic quality with commercial appeal and a keen sense of the audience reflects our own philosophy of filmmaking,” said a statement from Vesth and Jorgensen.

“World-class Danish film – that’s how I would describe Zentropa,” said Rieks. “Without Zentropa, we would not have had a golden age in Danish cinema in recent times, and the company’s unique DNA is embedded in every wall inside the company – where there is room for grand gestures, artistic integrity and wild ideas, while at the same time there is a clear ambition and rightly so, that the films should find their audience both nationally and internationally.”

“Nordisk Film Production has been my home for many years, and I am grateful for the time I have had there; but now I am looking forward to creating a new foundation for the films I am passionate about producing. At a time when feature films are struggling, Zentropa still believes in film as an art form, and that is why I am sure I will feel at home in Filmbyen. I look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with my new colleagues and fighting for Danish film.”

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