14/03/2007

Rookie Film is the new low budget film production scheme aimed at first and second time filmmakers, supported by the Swedish Film Institute (SFI), regional film centres Film i Väst and Filmpool Nord, public broadcaster SVT and Nordisk Film.

Set up as part of an overall package of new measures from the SFI to revamp and reinvigorate the Swedish film production sector, Rookie’s aim is to promote new talent, techniques and working methods, including alternative distribution channels.

As with the Danish Film Institute’s New Danish Screen initiative, the directors’ vision, strong personal voice and ability to innovate and put something personal at stake are crucial for the scheme, which in return offers filmmakers and producers a simpler, quicker and different way to make movies.

Rookie will support five feature films per year with maximum budgets of SEK 10m (€1.08m) each, and will provide up to 80% of the financing. Projects – submitted by established production companies based in Sweden – will be aimed at theatrical distribution, handled domestically and internationally by Nordisk Film.

The selection committee includes two film consultants from the SFI (Peter Gustafsson and Lisa Ohlin), Jessica Dahlöf Ask from Film i Väst, Gunnar Carlsson from SVT and Sirel Peensaar-Miell from Filmpool Nord.

Thirty-five year-old writer/director Andrea Östlund has been appointed project manager for Rookie and will supervise the initiative from its headquarters at Film I Väst. “It is thrilling to be part of something that will vitalize Swedish cinema. I hope that Rookie will result in unique films where you really feel that there is a new energy and a sharper edge”, she said, citing Andrea Arnold’s Red Road [+see also:
trailer
film profile] as an example.

Details of Rookie’s selection process and application guidelines can be downloaded at the initiative’s new website: www.rookiefilm.se.