The changes includes a transition from slate distribution to individual film applications, new deadlines for applying for distribution, dubbing and industry initiatives, and no need for invoices to enable payment request, regardless of funding type.

Nordisk Film & TV Fond (NFTVF) will operate by updated guidelines from January 2025. There are a number of minor and a few bigger changes in funding principles. Some wordings in otherwise unchanged guidelines are modified for clarification, and to update terminologies.

The biggest changes:

  • Nordic distributors have had the option to apply for 2-3 films under a Slate Distribution application. From next year on, individual applications are required when applying for distribution support
  • All films that are qualified for distribution or dubbing will be supported. The maximum shares are defined in the current funding policies, and the amounts depend on the budgetary situation
  • Funding for hiring a marketing person to promote Nordic slate distribution can no longer be added as an extra cost to the application. Instead, such factual costs can be included in the total distribution budget of the film

These changes allow for a more efficient process for applicants and for NFTVF along the process, from application to reporting, and also to get accurate statistics per film.

The other changes:

  • For Distribution support, a complete application must be submitted at the latest six weeks before the premiere, instead of 4 weeks as it was earlier
  • For Dubbing support, six weeks before the dubbing starts
  • For Industry Initiative support, a complete application must be submitted at the latest six weeks before the initiative
  • Processing time for applications is normally up to six weeks from when the application is approved for evaluation by NFTVF. This replaces the 5-6 weeks stated earlier
  • Distribution and dubbing funding is granted primarily for distribution of films in cinema theatres. Digital platforms may be eligible in special areas with limited cinema possibilities. This has already been a principle earlier on, but the guidelines have previously mentioned all platforms
  • Dubbing funding is only granted to children’s films. This clarification is added because today films might be dubbed for all ages, also in the Nordic region
  • When applying for production funding, the applicant must be able to provide documentation of having entered into agreements securing the financial and creative decision rights as the delegate producer
  • Regular income reports must still be submitted for feature films that have received production funding, regardless of whether the break-even point has been reached, but for drama series and documentaries only when/if the break-even point has been reached

These changes were already implemented when NFTVF’s new application portal was launched in 2024, and are now formalised in the guidelines:

  • “TV films” were previously part of the TV scheme, and now belong to the feature film scheme
  • “TV series” are currently called “drama series”. This distinction is even more important today, with increasing amounts of documentary series applying
  • The portal has enabled a payment system where no inovices are required. Instead, applicants provide and confirm their bank details in the portal
  • Share of Nordic participation/involvement per country must be submitted in the final payment request for Industry Initiatives
  • A sustainability plan may be added to the application if one is available

The updated guidelines will be available from January 1, 2025.

Please read the guidelines carefully before applying. Contact the relevant advisor or NFTVF’s System Admin Mathias K. Ferre for inquiries.