Four new TV series, three films and two docs receive funding

TV series 

• Summer of 68 (Sommaren 68) 
  The 3x60’ Swedish series produced by Anagram Sweden’s Martin Persson & Emma Åkesdotter Ronge for SVT, was granted NOK 2.100.000. The creative team consists of writers Maria Thulin and Martina Bigert (Gynekologen i Askim) and director Kristina Humle (Real Humans).
  Crew members include Academy-award nominated make-up artist Eva von Bahr (A Man Called Ove) and production designer Elle Furudahl (Thicker than Water).
  
  The mini-series tells of three young women who manage to stir things up in a small community where people have barely heard of the May 68 protests in Paris, much less the bra burning going on across the Atlantic!
  
  Filming starts June 4, with a premiere set for late 2018.
  
  
• Tsunami 
  The 3x60’ Swedish series produced by Filmlance International’s Anders Landström for SVT, was granted NOK 1.950.000. The experienced Henrik Georgsson (The Bridge) directs, based on an original idea and script by Sara Kadefors (Sandor Slash Ida).
  
  When the tsunami hits Southeast Asia, some people are forced to make choices that have major consequences for themselves and others nearby. The catastrophe poses vital questions: What is my responsibility as a human being? What is really important?
  
  Filming is scheduled to start in October, with a premiere set for 2019. 

• The Conductor (Dirigenten)
  The 8X44’ Swedish series produced by Black Spark Film & TV’s Piodor Gustafsson for C More/TV4, was granted NOK 2.950.000. The drama thriller is based on Camilla Grebe and Paul Leander Engström’s first book in the Moscow Noir trilogy, adapted for the screen by Aleksi Bardy (Tom of Finland) and episode writers Mia Ylönen and Håkan Östlundh.
  
  Moscow, 2003. A risky deal plunges Swedish investment banker Tom Blixen into a battle of millionaires, oligarchs and their private armies. From the expat high life into the moral sewers of modern Moscow, Tom is forced to face the ghosts of his past.

• Home Ground 2 (Heimebane 2) 
  The 8x50’ Norwegian series produced by Motlys’ Vilje Kathrine Hagen for NRK, was granted NOK 2.000.000. Season 1 of the football drama about a female coach trying to make it in a male-dominated environment, won Best TV Drama, Best Female actor (Ane Dahl Torp) and Best Male actor (Axel Bøyum) at the recent Norwegian Emmys or Gullruten Awards.
  
  The series also scored with Norwegian viewers, with more than 850.000 average combined viewers.  The creative team of season 2 includes head-writer Johan Fasting, episode writers Christian Owe and Sofia Lersol Lund, and co-directors Yngvild Sve Flikke and Stian Kristiansen.
  
  In the second season Helena Mikkelsen has earned her place as the female coach of the football team Varg in Ulsteinvik, and hate has turned to love. But being loved might prove an even bigger challenge for her.

Feature films

• A Piece of My Heart (En del av mitt hjärta) produced by Patrik Ryborn for Sweden’s Unlimited Stories, was granted NOK 2.350.000.
  
  The Mamma Mia style musical is based on the music of popular artist/songwriter Tomas Ledin. Edward af Sillén who directed several stage musicals such as Hair and the Eurovision contest 2010, is making his directorial debut. “Edward is a talented stage director, great with music and humour. He is perfect for this film,” said Ryborn. 
  
  The romantic comedy based on a script by Lars ‘Vasa’ Johansson will use 16 Tomas Ledin songs. Hollywood actress Malin Åkerman plays Isabella, a career woman who returns to her hometown to celebrate her father’s birthday. Back home, she learns that her teenage sweetheart is getting married and realises that some feelings never go away.
  
  Co-stars include Jonas Karlsson, Pernilla August, Johan Ulveson and Johan Rheborg. The film is co-produced by Film i Väst and Finland’s MRP Matila Röhr Productions.
  
  Filming starts on June 25 until August 31^st. Nordisk Film will release it domestically at Christmas 2019.
  
• Master Cheng directed and produced by Mika Kaurismäki for Finland’s Marianna Films, was granted NOK 1.800.000. Cheng, a professional cook from China, travels with his young son half way around the world to a most remote little village in Finland and slowly gains friendship - and even love - within the community, that doesn't easily accept strangers. SF Studios distributes.

• Valhalla produced by Jacob Jarek for Denmark’s Profile Pictures, was granted NOK 2.700.000. The live action film is the second feature by Fenar Ahmad (Darkland), based on Peter Madsen's popular comic books. The script is written by Fenar with Darkland co-writer Adam August.
  
  When the two Viking children Røskva and Tjalfe are taken to the land of Gods, Asgaard, by the God of Thunder Thor and the cunning God Loke, they meet a world at the brink of collapse which only they can save. Nordisk Film Distribution handles Scandinavian rights.

Documentaries: 

• Confessions from a Military Dictatorship produced by Vibeke Vogel for Bullitt Film was granted NOK 600,000. Danish director Karen Stokkendal Poulsen (The Agreement) explores the hidden dynamics behind the recent unforeseen transition of power in Myanmar through unique scenes with key leaders. The film looks at the mutual dependence between Aung San Suu Kyi and the Military, as the Rohingya Muslim community is subjected to ethnic cleansing, according to the UN.

• Family on the Run produced by Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær for Danish Documentary was granted NOK 600,000. The acclaimed Eva Mulvad (The Good Life) directs with Morten Ranmar. The film is a love story describing a small family, torn between countries, fighting to find a base. It is told in strong cinematic scenes, filmed over six years. Adam Nielsen (Bobbi Jene, A War) will start editing the film in September and delivery is set for the summer 2019. 

Distribution support:  

• Nordisk Film Distribution (Norway) received NOK 300,000 for the release of the Danish animated film The Incredible Story of the Giant Pear, - Nordisk Film Distribution (Denmark) received NOK 250,000 for the release of the Norwegian film Utøya 22 July, - B-Plan Distribution (Finland) received NOK 140,000 for the release of the Norwegian film What Will People Say. 

Cultural initiatives support: 

• Scandinavian Locations was allocated NOK 230,000. The main goal of this initiative set up by the film commissions in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, is to enhance the cooperation between the Nordic and global film industry by attracting foreign film productions to the Nordics. 
• Mikrofilm Norway was allocated NOK95,000 for Branding Nordic Animation at the Annecy Animation Film Festival, 
• European Film Promotion was allocated NOK 70,000 for the 2018 Film Sales Support scheme.