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Christmas Survivors

By Anita Killi

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Director

Norway

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Co Producer

Poland

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Project Development Producer

Norway

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Japanese Coordinator

Japan

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Japanese Language Consultant

Norway

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Clinical Specialist

Norway

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Screewriter

Norway

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Funding

Norway

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Funding

Norway

Credits

Synopsis

Nine-year-old Maja has shouldered responsibilities far beyond her years, caring for her younger half-brother Ola and their emotionally absent, alcoholic mother. When Christmas arrives, the children are left in the care of Ola's warm-hearted grandmother and his reclusive uncle Laurits at their remote mountain farm in Dovre.

Recognizing the heavy burden Maja carries, the grandmother sends her on a journey with Laurits to collect a horse—a journey that becomes far more than either anticipated. When a fierce snowstorm traps them in the unforgiving Dovre mountains, Laurits reaches his breaking point, finally revealing the tragedy that has haunted him: nine years ago, he lost his wife and unborn daughter to a similar storm.

Through shared vulnerability and survival, an unexpected bond forms between the withdrawn man and the resilient girl. As they weather the storm together, Maja discovers something she's never known—what it feels like to be truly protected and valued. In the magical quiet of the Norwegian winter, surrounded by her half-brother's loving family, Maja finally reclaims the childhood that was taken from her too soon.

Mission

"Christmas Survivors" addresses one of childhood's most overlooked challenges: children who become caregivers in dysfunctional families. Through the warmth of a Christmas story set in authentic Norwegian mountain culture, the film creates a safe space to explore the complex reality of co-dependency and childhood trauma.

This project serves a vital purpose by giving voice to the countless children like Maja—those who develop hyper-vigilance and premature self-reliance while caring for struggling parents. By portraying her journey toward healing within a loving family structure, the film offers both validation for children in similar situations and hope for recovery and renewal.

The integration of Norwegian "Nisse" folklore serves as a gentle bridge between harsh realities and healing fantasy, allowing audiences of all ages to process difficult emotions through the comfort of mythological storytelling. Working in collaboration with recognized therapists, the film is designed to function not only as entertainment but as a conversation starter and therapeutic tool for families navigating addiction and co-dependency.

"Christmas Survivors" aims to demonstrate that even in the darkest family circumstances, love, understanding, and proper support can help children reclaim their right to simply be children—making this both a deeply personal story and a universal message of hope.

About the film

"Christmas Survivors" is an innovative stop-motion animation feature film in development by acclaimed director Anita Killi and Trollfilm AS. This groundbreaking project represents a unique convergence of artistry, technology, and social impact that positions it as both a cultural milestone and commercial success.


The film combines universal themes of family healing with authentic Norwegian farm culture and Scandinavian folklore, creating content that resonates globally while celebrating Nordic heritage. As one of the few animated films to explicitly address childhood co-dependency, it fills a crucial gap in family cinema while serving as both entertainment and therapeutic conversation starter through collaboration with recognized professionals.


Trollfilm is developing revolutionary hybrid animation technology that merges digital precision with traditional craftsmanship, offering significant time and cost advantages while creating valuable intellectual property. The project extends beyond traditional filmmaking through a digital learning platform exploring Norwegian culture and authentic merchandising partnerships, ensuring multiple revenue streams and sustained commercial viability.


Building on the success of the related short film "Mother Didn't Know" and completed pilot, "Christmas Survivors" leverages director Killi's established international presence, particularly in prestigious Japanese film festivals, to access global distribution networks. After years of careful development, the project now stands ready to become a landmark achievement in Scandinavian animation—a film designed to be treasured by families for generations while advancing important conversations about childhood resilience and family healing.

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