22/08/2008

The 14th New Nordic Films market closing the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund is this weekend welcoming almost 300 film professionals for a taste of the latest finished films and works in progress produced in the Nordic region.

As many as 56 buyers (including Ben Friedman from The Weinstein Company), 118 producers, 10 sales agents, 49 Nordic film institute representatives are among the 270 industry people that from today until Sunday will be able to watch 21 new Nordic films, 11 works in progress introduced by their filmmakers, and discuss co-production and co-financing opportunities.

Among the Nordic sneak previews are Denmark’s Little Soldier [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Annette K. Olesen (Nimbus Film) and the Norwegian animation film Kurt Turns Evil by Rasmus A. Sivertsen (Nordisk Film).

After the UK in 2006 and Germany in 2007, the third Co-production Forum is this year focusing on collaborations between Nordic countries, Canada and Germany.

“It was natural to focus again on Germany as we have very similar cultures, they have strong support systems and are our biggest buyers and co-productions partners in Europe,” said Gyda Velvin Myklebust, organizer of New Nordic Films. “Regarding Canada, we have a co-production treaty with them, but the last time it was used was ten years ago for Mystery Harbour. So we were approached by the Canadian Embassy in Oslo and the Canadian Film and Television Production Association who wanted to inject new life into the treaty.”

Following a full-day presentation today of 18 projects looking for co-financiers (including Björn Runge’s Simon and the Oaks co-produced by Sweden, Denmark and Germany), tomorrow and Sunday are dedicated to panel discussions on Regional Film Funds, and European Sales Companies.

Lastly, this year’s Film Case Study is The Orange Girl by Eva Dahr (see the news). Its Norwegian producer Axel Helgeland will be unveiling the film’s intricate production and financing with his co-producers Helmut Weber (Tradewind Pictures, Germany) and Alvaro Alonso (Jaleo Films, Spain).