TrustNordisk has acquired international sales rights to My Fairytale Life, the upcoming feature from Nikolaj Arcel (The Promised Land).
My Fairytale Life is described as an epic feature film about Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Arcel will reteam with co-writer Anders Thomas Jensen (The Last Viking), with whom he also wrote The Promised Land, on the project.
The film’s synopsis reads: Hans Christian Andersen, a socially awkward nobody, moves to Copenhagen with dreams of conquering Denmark’s cultural elite and becoming a famous artist. In a colourful and merciless world of actors, playwrights, and snobbish benefactors, Christian fiercely fights to get the recognition and love he so desperately craves. But his own delusions of grandeur may turn out to be his greatest weakness; the last thing he wants is to be known as a children’s fairytale writer.
My Fairytale Life will be produced by Louise Vesth and Tine Mikkelsen for Zentropa Entertainments4 in co-production with Zentropa Berlin GmbH, with support from The Danish Film Institute Market Scheme and FilmFyn in co-operation with TV2, Nordisk Film Distribution and Plaion Pictures. Co-funded by the European Union. Domestic distribution by Nordisk Film Distribution. TrustNordisk handles international sales. Principal photography is expected to begin in late 2026.
“Through the magic of his fairytales, Hans Christian Andersen inspired children all over the world, freeing their imaginations and teaching them to be themselves,” Arcel said in a statement.
“But, in yearning for recognition and wanting desperately to be seen as normal, he lived in constant fear of showing the world who he truly was. The pursuit of happiness, both materialistic and spiritual, is a recurring theme in my feature films. That’s why I am fascinated with Hans Christian Andersen, the troubled genius, who spent the best years of his life desperately trying to get love and recognition from all the wrong people. It is a funny, poignant, and deeply contemporary true story, which I can’t wait for people to finally see”.