Nordic Distribution Boost 2019

The second Nordic Distribution Boost organised by Nordisk Film & TV Fond took place April 02-04, 2019.  The Fund’s CEO Petri Kemppinen said before the workshop: “I am pleased to say that the gender balance is well reflected in this year’s projects that aim to reach also non-local audiences in Nordics. The search of identity seems to be a key theme in many projects, and we are happy to have distributors of all scales involved.”  Producers/distributors for each project will be able to improve their marketing skills and audience reach in the neighbouring Nordic countries through mentoring sessions with creative producer/scriptwriter Valeria Richter, Nordic communication specialist Freddy Neumann, and UK-based marketing expert John Durie. The latter will also do a presentation on how to position a film in the marketplace, with an emphasis on creating effective marketing materials. 

Norway’s Øistein Refseth of Mer Film Distribusjon who attended Nordic Distribution Boost for the second time, said before the event last year’s inaugural training scheme was “very useful and inspiring”. “For us at Mer Film, it was the first time we experienced a workshop that brought distributors and producers together for an intense two day focus on one project. It helped us develop a better understanding of our project by being challenged by experts and discussing it with the other participating teams.”  A Nordic case study on Pernille Fischer Christensen´s Young Astrid will be presented to shed a light on best marketing and distribution practices. A dozen Nordic distributors and market executives from Göteborg, Haugesund and Helsinki are expected at Nordisk Film & TV Fond’s distribution training scheme.

This year’s projects were the following:

• Disco (Norway) Directed by Jorunn Myklebust Syversen (The Tree Feller) Cast: Josefine Frida Pettersen, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Andrea Bræin Hovig Produced by Mer Film Distributed by Mer Film Distribusjon  Story: Mirjam (19) is a world champion in disco and freestyle dance, raised by an overly religious family. After a breakdown during a championship, Mirjam unleashes suppressed memories about her past and family and starts questioning her faith.
• Compartment No 6 (Finland/Germany/Estonia)  Directed by Juho Kuosmanen (The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki) Produced by Aamu Film Company  Distributed by B-Plan Story: In the late 1980s, a young Finnish woman escapes a strange love triangle to take a train to Mongolia. Confronted with the reality of late Soviet Siberia, she is forced to share her journey with a man who hates the world. The film is based on the eponymous novel by Rosa Liksom.

• Miss Osaka (Denmark/Japan)/Norway)  Directed by Daniel Dencik (Gold Coast)  Cast: Victoria Carmen Sonne, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard Produced by Haslund Dencik Entertainment  Distributed by Øst for Paradis Story: A stranger dies in the wilderness. An opportunity presents itself. The aim is to investigate modern humanity and the desire to escape and become someone else. It’s a story about love’s journey and the detours one takes when identities disintegrate. The tale of Ines, a young Danish woman who has ended up on the outskirts of her own life.

• Reply to a Letter from Helga (Iceland/Sweden/Germany)  Directed by Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir (Swan) Produced by Zik Zak Filmworks  Distributed by Sena Story: In a remote fjord in 1940's Iceland, young farmer Bjarni and aspiring poet Helga begin a passionate, forbidden affair, emotions running as wild as the ocean waves that surround them. The film is based on the eponymous best-selling novel by Bergseinn Birgisson.

• Show Me Your Hand (Finland)  Directed by Hanna Maylett (Sisters Apart)  Produced by Citizen Jane Productions Distributed by Nordisk Film Story: Maria, a boozy 35-year old gambler, is forced to visit her old ill mother at home. The visit becomes a stay when unspoken things are revealed. A 12-year old girl from next door stirs things up, and despite of her own struggles, proves to be the most adult of them all. The result of the unfolding events are both tragic and hilarious because ultimately, the hardest thing is to deal with yourself.

• White Hunger (Finland)  Directed by Mikko Kuparinen (2 Nights till Morning)  Produced by Lucy Loves Drama Distributed by Scanbox  Story: Winter. Famine of 1968. The poor Maria has to abandon her dying husband to save her children. With them she embarks on a dangerous journey across Finland, facing desperate people, trying to survive. Meanwhile, upper-class doctor Teo is shocked by what he witnesses. Their paths will eventually cross with dramatic consequences. The film is based on Aki Ollikainen’s best-selling eponymous novel.