Swedish Mikael Svensson is succeeding Norwegian Solveig Sigmond Ræstad in the Nordic commission organisation. Together with the board, he will continue to strengthen Nordic and international networks.
Nordic Film Commissions (NFC) is a network that promotes the Nordic region, and connects regional and international filmmakers. This year marks a significant expansion of the network, with Greenland joining the Nordic Film Commissions through the newly established Greenland Film Institute, further reinforcing collaboration across the Nordic region.
Mikael Svensson, Head of Southern Sweden Film Commission, comments on his election for president in the NFC’s press release:
“It is a great honour to be elected President of the Nordic Film Commissions. I have been part of this collaboration since the early days of Scandinavian Locations more than 15 years ago, and I have seen the strength that comes from working together across the Nordic region.
At a time when international collaboration is more important than ever, the Nordic Film Commissions play a vital role in connecting people, creating opportunities, and strengthening the Nordics as a world-class production destination. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already created together with our members and partners.”
To NFTVF he says:
“I want to build a stronger Nordic network that benefits the entire screen industry — from producers and crews to regions and municipalities — by developing cross-border collaborations, talent exchange and sustainable production models. I also want to place a stronger focus on fiction tourism, and on how storytelling can create long-term cultural and economic value for our regions.”
NFC also states in their press release that their ambition is “to make the Nordic region more visible, more connected, and more sustainable as a production environment for film and television”.
In the press release, Solveig Sigmond Ræstad, outgoing President of the Nordic Film Commissions, comments on the importance of such a Nordic network:
“Throughout my time as President, I have never viewed my Nordic colleagues as competitors, but as partners. The Nordic region is incredibly diverse in landscapes, cultures, and production environments, but we are united by shared values, strong professional trust, and a collaborative mindset.
Internationally, the Nordics are often seen as one region, and that gives us a unique opportunity to stand together, strengthen our visibility, and create greater opportunities for productions across all our territories. I am proud of what we have built together, and excited to see the network continue to grow.”
During Sigmond Ræstad’s presidency, NFC has worked closely with Nordisk Film & TV Fond (NFTVF), as well as other Nordic partners, to strengthen the region, and to make it more sustainable. One collaboration project is the Nordic Ecological Standard (NES), which will be further implemented this year.
Reetta Turula from the North Finland Film Commission, Ísak Kári Kárason from Film in Iceland, and Marika “Mysan” Sundqvist from Åland Film Commission have been elected as new board members. Thereby, the new board is formed by them, newly elected President Mikael Svensson, existing Vice President Meghan Beaton, and Deputy Board Member Adrian Mitchell.
Among many international competitors, two of the Global Production Awards went to the Nordics; one for Nordic sustainability work and the other for Best location.
Norwegian Aspenes, who has a background as a producer and film commissioner, will succeed Torleif Hauge in June.
NFTVF arranged strategic distribution meetings and a producers’ hub, and collaborated with the International Sámi Film Institute on an important fireside chat.
