The Film
Two Sisters. One Story. A World of Discovery.
Conceived by Karen Norheim, CEO of American Crane & Equipment Corporation (ACECO), and her sister, Stephanie Delibertis, ACECO's Co-Owner and Executive Director of Outreach and Development, In Search of the Vikings explores how heritage, personal history, and shared experiences influence the way individuals lead, serve their communities, and connect with one another.
Through travel, storytelling, and reflection, this documentary examines themes of heritage, courage, community, leadership and sisterhood, offering an intimate look at the personal and professional journeys of two sisters shaped by both family legacy and leadership.
Follow our journey to film festivals worldwide.
contact: media@americancrane.com
Philosophy
Heritage
Long before crests or coats of arms, families in Norway marked what was theirs with a bumerke — a personal sign, carved into wood or pressed into wax, passed from father to son like a signature written in symbol instead of ink. Ours traces back to the Steine farm in Vikøy, Hardanger, where generations of the family farmed some of the richest grain land in the parish, tithing four spann of grain by 1567 under a Viking Sjurson who inherited the land from his own well-off forebears.
The mark itself belonged to a later Viking Sjurson, found on documents from 1658 and 1667 — not our direct ancestor's own bumerke, which remains lost to time, but very possibly a variation of one his grandfather carried. As historian Jakob H. Vik put it, the mark usually followed the farm, passed down and quietly altered, line by line, generation by generation. It is that same idea — an inheritance reshaped but never erased — that runs through In Search of the Vikings.
Vitality
Across Norway’s dramatic terrain, beauty and hardship exist side by side. This landscape has shaped the people who inhabit it, calling them to breathe more deeply, reflect more fully, embrace the light, and rest when the cold is overbearing.
There is a rhythm to everything. A season for effort, and a season for rest.
The Vikings lived in tune with the natural world–guided by its forces, sustained by its balance. In a modern life that often pulls us away from these rhythms, there is power in returning to them. To build strength, resilience, and true vitality, we must learn once again to listen…to the earth, and to ourselves.
Strategy
Our father didn't need a framework. He just lived it. He was direct, prepared, fair in every deal he made, and fiercely committed to the people around him. It was only later, when he brought home that poster from Norway and tapped it with his finger, that we saw it written down. The Viking Laws weren't a revelation. They were a recognition. A confirmation of everything he had already taught us.
In Search of the Vikings is an exploration of that inheritance — how an ancient philosophy, forged in the fjords and passed quietly from father to daughter, still informs how we live, lead, and build today. A lens through which modern life, business, and leadership can be understood with greater depth, intention, and strength. The Viking Spirit, it turns out, has always had room for all of us.
The Filmakers
Karen
Karen Norheim is a second-generation CEO, manufacturing leader, and storyteller whose work is driven by a deep belief that understanding where we come from shapes how we lead and who we become. Heading up American Crane & Equipment Corporation, she has built on her family’s legacy to grow a globally recognized manufacturing company, while championing innovation, collaboration, and the next generation of leaders.
Guided by her philosophy of creating a “ripple effect,” Karen is passionate about mentoring others and inspiring people to pursue purpose-driven leadership grounded in perseverance, integrity, and heart.
Within In Search of the Vikings, Karen bridges her professional mission with a personal exploration of heritage, examining how resilience, courage, and community transcend generations and influence leadership today.
Stephanie
Stephanie Delibertis is an executive leader and community champion who believes that true leadership is measured by the lives we uplift. Owner and Board Chair of the Board at American Crane & Equipment Corporation, as well as the Executive Director of Outreach and Development, Stephanie plays a vital role in carrying forward her family’s legacy while expanding its impact.
Driven by a passion for service, Stephanie founded the Hoist Up! Outreach Initiative at American Crane, an effort dedicated to volunteerism, advocacy, and giving back. Through Hoist Up!, she has mobilized employees and partners to support communities through initiatives ranging from hunger relief to education and scholarship programs.
That same commitment to purpose and connection is at the heart of In Search of the Vikings. As she journeys through Norway to explore her ancestral roots, Stephanie provides a unique perspective shaped by service, family, and community, reflecting on how heritage and shared experiences influence the way we lead and give back.
Chris
Chris Bryant is an award-winning filmmaker and visual storyteller who believes that the true power of a narrative lies in its ability to connect and inspire us. Creative Director and Principal of Empire Studios, Chris plays a vital role in bringing visionary projects to life while expanding their emotional impact.
Driven by a passion for visual communication, Chris established Empire Studios, an agency dedicated to powerful storytelling, video production, and brand narrative. He has collaborated with a diverse range of partners to deliver engaging content ranging from high-impact commercial media to intimate behind-the-scenes productions.
That same commitment to story and connection is at the heart of In Search of the Vikings. As director, Chris guides the cinematic journey through Norway to explore deep-seated ancestral roots, providing a unique perspective shaped by artistry, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, reflecting on how heritage and personal history influence the way individuals lead and connect.
Latest Looks at What's Ahead
Lygra
Here, the themes of sisterhood, Viking women, family legacy, and returning to origins comes full circle.
Bergen
The sisters explore the city and learn about the history behind their Norwegian heritage.
Stavanger
Norway's vibrant costal city is a place where ancient Viking history meets modern energy and breathtaking natural beauty.
Norheimsund
We learn more about the Viking Gardener philosophy and how it was passed down to the sisters.
Flam
Here, we meet up with Frank, the sisters' cousin, who lives in Norway, and learn about the Flåm Railway and Fjord Cruise.
Nordfjordeid
Tour the reconstructed Viking ship "Myklebust".
Askrova
Askrova is a small, serene Norwegian island where the sea, sky, and stone come together in a landscape that feels intouched by time.
Eivindvik
Tour the Gulatinget, learning about this large regional parliament from the Viking Age.