Best practice expanding to a broader Nordic footprint

SF Studios and Nordisk Film may be high-profile examples of a wide Nordic footprint, but other companies are pursuing a similar strategy.

Nordisk Film & TV Fond looks at prodcos with broader Nordic roots and strengthening Nordic co-operation, by reaching out to Swedish-Norwegian prodco Anagram, The Global Ensemble Drama based in Norway, Sagafilm, headquartered in Reykjavík and Miso Film at their HQ in Copenhagen.

Finnish COO Miira Paasilinna, who heads the prodco Anagram part of French Studio TF1, told NFTVF that even though Anagram has its roots in Skåne, it has always collaborated within the Nordic region and with other countries.

"We founded Anagram Norway back in 2017, with a focus on scripted TV series, and this year, we start with the production of feature films in Norway. Just Republic in Finland joined the group in April 2024 with the same focus," Paasilinna said.

COO and producer Janne Hjeltnes, The Global Ensemble Drama in Norway, with offices in Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and London, was always a strong believer in the Nordic tradition of working together across borders.

“It opens the market, and offers better opportunities to match the right projects with the right people,” she said.

Production thrives on close collaboration

Today’s film and TV industry thrives on collaboration. The advantages of building a broader Nordic footprint are self-explanatory, according to all prodcos.

"With offices in several countries, we can reach and develop local talent and look at the audience's interests. We are also, of course, closer to our clients, and can make use of the funding available in these countries,” Paasilinna said, accentuating their cooperation with Business Finland.

“Having a presence across the Nordic region is essential for pooling resources and financing to get projects off the ground. For us, this has made it significantly easier to build relationships with other production companies, and has led to many of the co-productions we’re involved in today,” CEO Kjartan Þór Þórðarsson, Sagafilm Nordic, said.

Resolving a challenge is what production is all about

Film and TV production is a collaborative art, but challenges will arise when companies are spread over several cities, perhaps even different languages and cultures.

"It is educational and rewarding when people from different cultures can work together. It enhances creativity when everyone does not have the same point of view, but of course, it requires that you are willing to have an open mind and think outside your bubble," Paasilinna said. She grew up in Finland, the Soviet Union, the USA, and Switzerland, and has worked in Sweden for 17 years.

“There are always challenges, but overcoming challenges is what production is all about,” Hjeltnes told NFTVF.

“It is all about communication, trust, and staying aligned on a shared vision – no matter where you are. Of course, distance, language, and cultural differences can be tricky, but they can also be a strength if managed with openness and curiosity.”

Sagafilm, the largest film and television production company in Iceland, with 30 full-time employees, views differences as an opportunity to gain experience.

“The ways things are done across the Nordics vary widely — crew sizes, working hours, and financing structures can differ significantly. We aim to make use of the best practices from each market. Honestly, I cannot recall a recent collaboration project where we did not learn something new from the other partner,” Þórðarsson from Sagafilm said.

Stronger by collaborating

Whether the level of Nordic collaboration has peaked is debatable among the prodcos.

”I believe most companies are already collaborating within the Nordics, and should look outside the region. Starting with a smaller and simple project when you have a new partner is sound advice. In Finland, they say: Meet in the sauna first and get to know each other," Paasilinna said.

Hjeltnes is open for more Nordic relations with the right partners – people she trusts.

“The best collaborations happen when everyone is on the same page creatively and shares the same values and work ethic. Building long-term relationships across borders makes it easier to co-produce efficiently and with a heart.”

Seen from Reykjavík, Nordic collaboration has never been more important. Recently, Sagafilm began forming partnerships in early development and even at the point of acquiring the IP rather than waiting.

“We believe larger companies should be open to working with smaller ones, and sharing responsibilities. For example, we often support local partners by providing services they might not have in-house, like post-production, accounting, or help with financing and cash flow,” Þórðarsson said, and added:

“I would love to see more cross-country collaboration on post-production. Iceland and Finland, for instance, are highly competitive in this space, especially when you factor in Iceland’s 25–35% tax incentive, depending on local spending,” Þórðarsson said.

Nursing internal relations

Do not underestimate internal communication within the organisation when considering offices in more cities.

Miso Film is now working on the ultimate cross-country project: the Scandi Alliance’s historical series Royal Blood (Blått blod), in which Miso Film Norway acts in the role of delegate producer.

"The Royal Blood preproduction planning takes place in close collaboration between the three countries, with a strong commitment from Are (Heidenstrøm), Christian (Rank), Jonas (Allen), and me (Nordic management) – and of course with assistance from our employees in the three countries," CEO Peter Bose told NFTVF.

Jonas Allen and Peter Bose lead Miso Film with separate CEOs in Denmark, at Miso Film Sverige AB, and Miso Film Norge AS.

"Our collaboration is close; we continuously discuss both strategy and projects that the respective countries are engaged in. We meet at least once a month to debate the issues which Jonas and I are responsible for, for example greenlighting productions," Bose told NFTVF.