Animation represents a key focal area for Nordisk Film & TV Fond, through its support schemes for production, distribution and dubbing, and quality projects with Nordic and international potential abound, according to Torleif Hauge, the Fund’s senior advisor for fiction.

“We give priority to projects for kids and youth, and of course, animation is a key sector for that age group. Most projects that we support are 2D, rather than 3D, with high artistic value, and animation created locally rather than in Asia,” noted Hauge. “Distribution in at least two Nordic territories, which is another key criterium for our support, is also secured quite easily, with dubbing facilitating cross-border distribution.”

Underlying trends, the Fund’s senior fiction advisor sees a clear upturn in animation series, reflecting the overall booming sector of long-form scripted content. “We never used to get applications for animation TV series, so the fact that we’ve supported four major TV series in 2021 is exceptional and definitely within the global TV drama boom,” said Hauge.

The latter also stressed the prime position of Norway’s Qvisten Animation Studios, which received support in 2021 both for their Nordic Christmas NRK TV special, and for the film Just Super directed by seasoned animator Rasmus A. Sivertsen.

Hauge also highlighted the prolific quality output of Sweden’s Lee Film (The Ape Star), and sensational audience success of the Danish comedy Checkered Ninja produced by A-Film, whose sequel was backed by the Fund. (Since then the rules have changed and no film and TV sequel is eligible for support).

“I hope the industry will keep on delivering top-notch productions, produced for much less money than other territories, which makes the Nordic region very appealing,” said Hauge.

Animation crossing borders
Meanwhile Nordisk Film & TV Fond also plays a role in boosting cross-border content for kids and youth, and an average 4-5 major animated films a year achieve pan-Nordic distribution in 2-3 territories through the Fund’s distribution scheme.

Between 2019 and 2020, dubbing support also nearly doubled - from 9 to 15 single grants - and four animated films were dubbed in at least three Nordic languages: the Swedish film Pelle-no Tail, Danish film Dreambuilders and Norwegian films Captain Sabertooth and the Magic Diamond and Christmas at Cattle Hill.

Commenting on the Fund’s distribution and dubbing schemes, Britt Sundal, SF Norge’s Marketing & Promotion Manager said:“In general, the grants from the Fund mean that we can use our marketing budget on a media campaign to tell the Norwegian market that the movie is out, instead of spending it on technical posts as dubbing. This gives us a much broader campaign on a wider range of platforms, and that we can push more buttons for visibility.”

“Children’s movies are important to localize, since the new generations have become used to watching localized content, and pre-school children that can’t read, are especially dependent on movies being dubbed in their local language. Being in a Nordic market also means that it’s important for children to share the culture between countries, and the dubbing means that culture can be understood and shared. Dubbing costs are quite high in our markets -the costs are usually on the same level if it’s a big or a small movie. So we are very grateful for the support from the Fund,” said Sundal.

Denmark’s True Content Distribution’s CEO Sofie Wanting Hassing said the Fund’s NOK 200,000 support towards the Danish distribution of the Norwegian animated film Two Buddies and a Badger-The Great Big Beast enabled her company to “take a chance” with the theatrical release, despite Covid-related restrictions, while the film’s NOK 28,000 dubbing support was earmarked towards the voice cast for the musical pieces.

Konstantín Mikaelsson, managing director of Sena in Iceland, who has successfully released the Nordic animation films The Incredible Story of the Giant Pear and Ella Bella Bingo, said the support from the Fund, notably for dubbing, often incentivises him to acquire Nordic animated films. “When acquiring animated films, with that need to be dubbed for release, the risk is so much higher than with [live] features, as dubbing in Iceland is probably not much less than in other territories and we’re a territory of only 370,000 inhabitants.” Support from the Fund therefore makes “an enormous difference” says Mikaelsson who recently received NOK 130,000 dubbing support for the Danish 3D film Little Allan-The Human Antenna, to be released in August in Iceland. “We’re expecting great things from Little Allan, and as well from the Norwegian animated movie Titina which we’re aiming to release later this year as well,” said the seasoned distributor.

List of animated projects which received production support in 2021:

TV series
Nordic Christmas-WT (Norway)
The 8x7’ Christmas special produced by Qvisten Animation for NRK was granted NOK 1.7 million. Multiple short stories, based on works by Tove Jansson, Astrid Lindgren, Jakob Martin Strid, Mauri Kunnas, Kjell Aukrust and H.C. Andersen, in addition to one story based on Icelandic folklore. The series co-produced by Denmark’s Happy Flyfish, Iceland’s GunHil and Finland’s Gigglebug, is due to premiere later this year.

Monster Loving Maniacs (Denmark)
The 51x11’ 2D series produced by Ja Film, Denmark for DR, was granted NOK 2 million. Based on an original idea by Anders Berthelsen and Rune Christensen, the humorous show deals with major themes, like families, relationships and coping with fears. Italy’s Mondo TV, Belgium’s Ginger Pictures and Belvision are co-producing. The show is due to premiere in 2023.

Tulipop Tales (Iceland)
The 13x7’ series produced by Tulipop Studios, Iceland for Síminn, was granted NOK 1.5 million. Based on a well-known Icelandic IP, Tulipop tales tells the story of diverse group of friends, living on the Tulipop island. Each episode is an adventure for the Tulipoppers where they learn about themselves and the island. The series is directed by Sigvaldi J Kárason.

The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti (Finland)
The 52x11’ series produced by Gigglebug Entertainment, Finland was granted NOK 2 million. The show was co-commissioned by Disney EMEA and Yle.
Off-beat comedy series about the unexpected adventures of an unlikely trio of friends: a city boy, a local girl and an outcast monster, in a quirky little town above the Arctic Circle, where it’s winter all-year-round. The series was inspired by director Joonas Utti’s own experience of growing up in rural small-town Finland. Premiere set for later this year.

FILMS
Fleak (Finland)
The CG fantasy adventure film co-directed by Jens Mølle and Luca Bruno for Anima Vitae, was granted NOK 2.3 million. The main character Lauri (11) has lost his ability to walk due to an accident when Fleak, a furry creature from another dimension, appears. He takes Lauri on a fantasy adventure where he learns to walk again but must also confront a huge monster created by his own shadow. The co-production with Denmark’s Parka Pictures, Poland’s Animoon and France’s Godo Films is due to premiere in 2023.

Rosa and the Stone Troll (Denmark)
The film directed by Karla Holmbäck for Dansk Tegnefilm, was granted NOK 1.4 million. It is based on Josefine Ottesen’s children’s book Rosa and her friends. The film targeting 4-8 years-old depicts the good and bad sides of friendship and how finding friends requires courage. The domestic premiere is set for early 2023.

Just Super (Norway)
The film directed by Rasmus A. Sivertsen for Qvisten Animation, was granted NOK 1.2 million. Gaming enthusiast Hedvig (11) finds her life turned upside down when she is forced to replace her father as the town's superhero. There is only one problem; Hedvig has absolutely no prerequisites to becoming a superhero. The premiere is set for September 2022.

Nordic animation is the focus of the industry event Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux (March 8-10), where eight out of 57 projects are originating from the Nordic region, including the Norwegian films Just Super and Titina, backed by the Fund.