Beyond the backdrop: Denmark aims for cultural centre stage with new film fund.

Denmark is poised to enter a "new golden age for film and series production" with the unveiling of a significant new production rebate scheme, set to launch from 2026. The initiative, backed by the government and several political parties, allocates 17 million € annually to attract international productions and retain larger Danish projects within the country. The aim is to transform Denmark from merely a "backdrop" into a "cultural powerhouse" brimming with creativity and storytelling.

The core of the new scheme is a 25% refund on eligible production costs incurred in Denmark. This competitive refund aims to strengthen Denmark's position in a global industry where film and series are powerful tools for storytelling, shaping national identities, and driving economic growth. The scheme is designed to benefit not only the film industry directly, but also stimulate broader economic activity, from local cafés to set builders.

To ensure the support targets substantial projects, minimum total budget requirements have been set: 25 million DKK for films, 4 million DKK for documentaries, 150,000 DKK per minute (with a minimum of 15 million DKK) for drama series and 6.5 million DKK for animation. A significant portion of the production must also take place on Danish soil, with minimum eligible cost thresholds of 3 million DKK for film/series/animation and 1 million DKK for documentaries. To prevent a single large production from exhausting the fund, a support cap of 20 million DKK per individual production has been introduced. Notably, recognising Denmark's strong animation sector, a special pool of 25 million DKK out of the total 125 million DKK is specifically earmarked for animation.

Selection for the scheme will be based on objective criteria, including a production and cultural test. This points-based system will favour works with a Danish cultural focus and specific production conditions, such as the number of filming days in Denmark, the inclusion of Danish or EEA actors and crew, and the proportion of the budget spent domestically. Separate criteria will apply to live-action, animation, and documentary productions to ensure fair assessment. To qualify, productions must also demonstrate a robust financial plan, with at least 25% of the total budget from a foreign financing source and 70% of the total funding confirmed at the time of application. Furthermore, the lead producer must have experience producing a widely distributed film, series, documentary, or animation.

The scheme’s funds, divided into 100 million DKK for film, series, and documentary and 25 million DKK for animation, will be distributed across two application rounds annually. Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen will administer the programme, which is established under EU state aid rules. This ambitious move highlights Denmark's commitment to showcasing its dramatic coastlines, historic cityscapes, and talented artists on the global cultural map.

To read the full press release: CLICK HERE (Only available in Danish).