– There is too little support for film when we know how many are applying, says Håvard Wettland Gossé. He is the producer of the recent Amanda-nominated film Norwegian Dream. The film was produced in Trondheim and also opened the Kosmorama film festival. When the film received three Amanda nominations, the film’s director Leiv Igor Devold said that it was particularly important that a film that thematizes queer love, xenophobia and workers’ rights received such recognition. But the journey from idea to nominee has not been a cakewalk. The Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) has many award schemes for films. You can get support for production, development and launch to name a few. – Production support is what makes it possible to carry out a film production, says Gossé. The team behind Norwegian Dream applied six times, without receiving this support from NFI. (From left) Håvard Wettland Gossé, Gjermund Gisvold and Leiv Igor Devold from the team behind the film Norwegian Dream. Photo: Sondre Garten-Stolpnes Two out of three to Oslo Since 2020, NFI has distributed over NOK 560 million in production support for feature films. It concerns 124 allocations. Of these awards, two-thirds of them are given to Oslo-based production companies. – Eight out of ten companies that produce feature films are based in Oslo, says Kjetil Omberg in NFI. He says that there are several reasons for this, including access to qualified labour. Omberg says that the process Norwegian Dream went through is normal. – To ensure that all qualified applicants have the opportunity for support, and to find the best projects, the project applications go through several rounds of assessment and quality assurance. This is the support Norwegian Dream has received Norwegian Dream has received close to NOK 11.9 million in support to make the film. NOK 2.1 million of the support comes from Polish and German schemes. The remaining amount comes from both private and public actors in Norway. 5.1 million (4.3 million is a production grant) comes from the regional film fund Filminvest, which receives transfers from NFI. Norwegian Dream has received support from the following players: Filminvest Spætt Film Midtnorsk film center Norwegian film institute (development support and launch support) Storytelling distribution Norway MG Altibox pre-sale Norway The Norwegian Workers union Sparebank1 SMN Polish Film institute MOIN Hamburg film fund Salzgeber distribution Germany MG Dora Eiendom LO Kjetil Omberg explains that Norwegian Dream is also eligible for retrospective subsidies. – Hope people raise their eyes Julia Andersen in Tromsø-based Fjordic Film believes that there is too little money for regional film production. She praises Gossé and the Norwegian Dream team. – Credit to those who have made a film from Trøndelag, but I can imagine that it has been a difficult process. Julia Andersen in Fjordic Film believes that the government must increase subsidies and see the value of Norwegian film. Photo: Ida Fiskaa She hopes that the Norwegian Film Institute can raise its gaze and look to the regions to find new voices when it comes to the production of feature films and TV series. She believes we could lose much of the diversity and new voices if the funding is not distributed across the country. – When there is less money in the pot and the consultant is sitting and has to give the subsidy, then you have to give the subsidies to established companies. Andersen says that it goes without saying that you must be able to prove that you can deliver, because there is a very big responsibility when you receive grants for large productions. Gossé agrees with this. – But what we in the regions react to is that it is perceived as extra difficult for us to get production support. Will lift Norwegian film State Secretary Gry Haugbakken (Ap) says that the government will lift the Norwegian film sector in the coming years. – It is natural that people want more money for their field, and we agree that we should strengthen the regional film investment. State Secretary Gry Haugsbakken (Ap) says that the government will invest more in Norwegian film in the coming years. Photo: Ilja C. Hendel / Ministry of Culture She points out that film was one of the few “winners” in the budget for 2023. They will present a new regional film policy in the budget proposal for 2024. One of the goals here is that they will facilitate a diverse, high-quality film offer throughout the country. But Haugbakken emphasizes that diversity is not just about geographical diversity. It is also about gender equality and representation from underrepresented groups. – The government has a clear ambition to support an open, inclusive and diverse cultural life throughout the country, and will particularly invest in local and regional culture, says State Secretary Haugbakken. No “Oslo hate” Gosse emphasizes that there is no “hate” towards Oslo-based production companies. – They are extremely talented and clever. Something must be done about the total amount of support. “Oslo film” does not always mean “Oslo film” – It is worth noting that a grant to a film produced by a company based in the capital does not necessarily mean that they produce an “Oslo film”, says Kjetil Omberg in NFI. He refers to the film Kampen om Narvik, where the film’s administration had an address in Grünerløkka. But the film initiated by companies in Bodø and Målselv and the action is set in Narvik. Omberg says that they would have liked to have given grants for more films, but that the funds are not enough. – If the Ministry of Culture increases the transfers to the film fund, more films can receive subsidies. Despite the lack of production support from NFI, the film has thus been nominated for Amanda. The national film prize is awarded in 22 different categories on 19 August in Haugesund. – It would be wrong to complain about NFI, because they have assessed the project all along based on the documents we submitted at the time. – But it is perhaps fair to say that you have to open your eyes to the fact that there are many talented people also outside ring 3. Polish Hubert Milkowski was nominated for best male actor at this year’s Amanda. Photo: Patryk Kin / Spætt Film AS
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Norwegian Dream was rejected six times for important film support – now the film can make a big splash on Amanda – news Trøndelag
