PRESS RELEASE: Oslo, December 12, 2014 - Nordisk Film & TV Fond is launching today NORDIC GENRE BOOST, a new initiative aimed at supporting the development of Nordic genre films and TV series on the Nordic and international market.

The two-year ‘Nordic Genre Boost’ initiative will provide development grants of NOK 200.000 each for five to seven projects a year, as well as access to two intensive residential workshops. The first workshop in Helsinki will be organised together with Night Visions International Film Festival. The second one arranged in collaboration with New Nordic Films in Haugesund will be followed by a presentation of the projects at the Nordic Co-Production and Finance Market.

The workshops will be coordinated by Valeria Richter, independent creative producer, script consultant and tutor/head of studies at various industry events including TorinoFilmLab. 

Genre projects are defined as falling into specific genre conventions, including but not limited to horror, sci-fi, fantasy and western. To be eligible for support, applicants (either single or teams of 2 or 3 participants) must be professional writers, directors, producers from the Nordic region working in the film and television industry. Newcomers are encouraged to apply with more established partners. Projects must be suitable for theatrical or television distribution and may contain elements that can unfold on other platforms.

Petri Kemppinen, CEO at Nordisk Film & TV Fond said: “A growing number of filmmakers are developing genre films and TV series that cross borders within the Nordic region and many titles have had successful international launches (Let the Right One In, Troll Hunter, Iron Sky, Frost). Yet financing genre projects, particularly in the development stage remains difficult. The Fund is therefore very pleased to be able to support creative minds working within specific genre conventions, and to bring more Nordic chills and thrills into the spotlight.”

Applications open on December 15, 2014 and close on January 26, 2015. 

For further information on conditions to apply and deadlines, please check our Call for Projects and Guidelines CLICK HERE. 

Contacts:
Petri Kemppinen petri@nordiskfilmogtvfond.com
Valeria Richter valeria@pebble.dk