Karolina Lidin Among New Faces At The Fund

Lidin joins Nordisk Film & TV Fond on June 1^st. She will be replacing Eva Færevaag who has been in charge of the Fund's documentary department for the last six years, and has now decided to move on to the new Norwegian Film Institute, starting May 1^st 2008.

Birkenes' appointment follows the resignation of Turil Westlie who has been with the Fund for a decade and is also moving on to new challenges.

"I wish Eva and Turil all the very best in their new line of work. It has been a great pleasure working with them and experiencing their competence, enthusiasm, dedication and loyalty towards the Fund," commented Hanne Palmquist, CEO for Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

The Swedish born Lidin has more than 15 years of international experience within the field of short films and documentaries. A film graduate from Copenhagen Roskilde University, she was head of development and promotion at the MEDIA Project for Creative Documentary between 1991 and 1994. Following three years experience as producer for Holland House Productions, she joined the Danish Film Institute in 1996 as Commissioning Editor for short films and documentaries, then as Head of Distribution & Marketing. In 2002, she was hired as Managing Director for Filmkontakt Nord, where she stayed until 2007. She has since held various freelance positions for Denmark's Cosmo Doc, BUSTER, the Göteborg Film Festival, IDFA, and Toronto Hot Dox among others.

As Lidin's new position at the Fund will be on a 60% time basis, it has been agreed that she will continue to take on other tasks on a freelance basis. An agreement on two projects with Denmark's Cosmo Doc will run until the end of August.

At Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Lidin will be in charge of the artistic evaluation and follow up on all supported documentary projects and cultural initiatives. She will also be responsible for workshops and master classes within the field of documentaries. She will be supported in her work by Project Manager Løwholm.

Løwholm has worked in the film industry since 1992 after graduating with a law degree from Oslo University. She spent one year at Norway's Audiovisual Production Fund then six years at the Norwegian Film Institute, handling film applications and various administrative duties. Then she joined the established production company Motlys AS where she worked for four years as Head of Business.

"I'm very happy to announce that Karolina Lidin will be our new Documentary Consultant," commented. Palmquist. "Karolina hardly needs any introduction since she must be one of the most well-known and respected professionals within the Nordic documentary film business. Her expertise within the Nordic region as well as internationally, and her knowledge about the market both in regards to public funding and television, is unique."

"I'm also very happy to announce that Lise Løwholm will be our new full time Project Manager from May 1st. Lise has worked in almost all positions within the office and other than handling documentary projects, she will be in charge of managing dubbing and distribution applications, overall legal and administration duties."

"We are also fortunate to have Ann-Sophie Wolden Birkenes join our team on May 1^st as our new Project Coordinator. Over the last seven years, she has held various administrative positions at the Norwegian Film Institute. She has therefore the right background for the position."

Other staff members at Nordisk Film & TV Fond include Sigurd Mikal Karoliussen, project manager for feature films, TV fiction and series, and Berit Brodtkorb, account manager. Aside from working on their own respective assignments, all Nordisk Film & TV Fond personnel collaborate on the Fund's two main annual projects: Nordic Talents (September 4-6, 2008) and the Nordic Council Film Prize awarded in October.

Nordisk Film & TV Fond - Staff overview