An overview of organizations that provide support for film development and production in Norway:
Norwegian Film Fund
The Norwegian Film Fund was established on 1 July 2001. The fund administers film production grant schemes, provides financial support to the Norwegian Film Commission and organizes activities associated with Eurimages and Media Desk Norway. The fund’s efforts are primarily directed towards independent Norwegian film producers.
In addition to direct production support schemes, the film fund administers seven different production grant schemes:
• Long film, including project development, production and release
• International minority co-productions
• Cinema films and market evaluation
• Short film, including project development and production
• Television series, including project development and production
• Interactive productions (project development only)
• Post-release funding in proportion to ticket sales
In 2004, the grant schemes for film and television production under the Norwegian Film Fund totalled NOK 252.7 million (approx. EUR 31.5 million).
Norwegian Film Development
Norwegian Film Development is responsible for enhancing the development of the Norwegian film industry. Norwegian Film Development provides further educational opportunities for professional film workers, aimed at improving their understanding of cinematic expression and increasing their insight into developments in the visual-media sphere. The programmes offered have a theoretical as well as a practical basis.
Support schemes:
• Long film: Annual distribution of some NOK 3.6 million (approx. EUR 450 000) for the development and adaptation of long film manuscripts in any stage of progress.
• Short film (all genres and formats): Assistance in developing ideas, manuscripts and projects to the point of gaining a producer and applying for other forms of support.
Audio and Video Fund
The Audio and Video Fund was established to compensate rights-holders of audio and video recordings that are legally copied for private use, and to promote both the production and availability of audio and video recordings. Allocations to the fund are made by the Storting (Norwegian national assembly) and administered by the Ministry of Finance.
Regional Film Centres
Norway has two publicly administered film centres: the North Norwegian Film Centre in Honningsvåg and the West Norwegian Film Centre in Bergen.
The North Norwegian Film Centre was established in 1979. A joint stock company, owned by Nordland, Troms and Finnmark counties and the municipality of Nordkapp, the centre administers state film production funds and specifically provides support for short films and documentaries as well as project development. It also provides professional assistance and guidance to the production community in northern Norway and has a special responsibility for the development of Saami film activities.
The West Norwegian Film Centre was founded in 1994, and is a joint stock company owned by the city of Bergen and Hordaland County. The centre administers state film production funds and specifically provides support for short and documentary films as well as project development. It provides professional assistance and guidance to the western Norwegian production community and manages a special fund established by the city of Bergen with earmarked allocations for manuscript development and other projects associated with full-length cinema films.
New film centres are currently being launched in Lillehammer, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Trondheim and Fredrikstad. While each of these has its own funding sources and administrative organization, all are designed to increase film production in their regions in keeping with the local cultural and commercial framework.
Norwegian Film Commission
The Norwegian Film Commission is an autonomous, national foundation whose purpose is to encourage production of international films in Norway. It was established in 2002, and has its headquarters in Bergen.
Film Festivals
Norway hosts a number of film festivals. The oldest and best known of these are the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund and the Norwegian Short Film Festival in Grimstad. A list of the most important links is provided below.
Statistics
| Last 30 years |
1973 |
1983 |
1993 |
2003 |
| Norwegian film premieres |
12 |
8 |
10 |
18 |
| Norwegian film attendance (millions) |
1.7 |
1.9 |
1.0 |
2.2 |
| Norwegian film market share |
9.6 % |
4.0 % |
9.4 % |
18.2 % |
| Last 5 years |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
| Norwegian film premieres |
11 |
9 |
8 |
15 |
18 |
| Norwegian film attendance (millions) |
1 |
0.7 |
1.8 |
0.9 |
2.2 |
| Norwegian film market share |
8.8
%
|
6.1 % |
14.9
% |
7.5 % |
18.2 % |
Source: Film&Kino 2002
The Norwegian Film Institute