In the National Budget for 2027, the Norwegian Government proposes to increase the Film Fund’s budget with 47 million NOK, as part of a total increase in funding for the sector by almost 75 million NOK.

On Wednesday October 7, Norway's National Budget for 2027 was presented to the Norwegian parliament Stortinget.

In their proposed state budget, the Norwegian Labour Party’s Støre Government increases the transfers to the Film Fund by NOK 47 million. The proposed film budget for 2027 of NOK 740 million thus represents a 6.8 per cent increase to the fund administered by the Norwegian Film Institute.

The Government also proposes an increase in funding of NOK 15 million for the incentive scheme for film and series productions for next year.

The total transfers for film (including series) and games purposes for 2027 are NOK 1.199 million, up from NOK 1.124 million in the balanced budget for 2026. This amounts to a total of NOK 74.509 million for the audiovisual sector.

“This is a clear prioritisation of Norwegian film, series and games, and we do not take that for granted in a budget where the room for manoeuvring is tight and many good causes compete for the funds. A strengthened film fund gives us greater opportunity to invest in Norwegian filmmakers and stories, and to ensure that they reach the audience in competition with an increasingly large global content offering,” says Kjersti Mo, CEO of the Norwegian Film Institute, in a press release.

The proposal states that the Ministry of Culture and Equality will begin work on a new white paper on film policy. The previous policy report for the field was submitted in 2015.

In the presentation of the state budget for 2027, the Government also proposes that NRK’s Charter will be updated with a requirement that the national broadcaster shall contribute to the development and production of Norwegian feature films, series and documentaries, thereby giving NRK a clearer responsibility for national productions.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture and Equality aims for the investment obligation for streaming platforms to come into effect on January 1, 2027. The budget proposes that the Norwegian Film Institute will assist the Norwegian Media Authority with control tasks related to the upcoming obligation for the streamers to invest in national productions.

Following up on measures proposed in 2024, an allocation of 5 million NOK is budgeted for a new grant scheme for upgrading digital cinema equipment.

Source: The Norwegian Film Institute