27/03/2007

Aside from revolutionary structural changes, Norwegian Minister of Culture Trond Giske announced a series of concrete measures to strengthen the local production sector, help it maintain strong market share (both domestically and internationally) as well as create quality and diversity in film.

The key objectives will be to produce 25 films per year (including five children’s film and five documentaries); reach 3m admissions at home for Norwegian films, and market shares of 25% domestic theatrical and 15% DVD/video; double the export of Norwegian films and television dramas by 2010; and, within the same time frame, ensure that 40% of key positions in the film industry are held by women.

To increase the profile and distribution of Norwegian films on the international market, the Norwegian government plans to help local producers with the international promotion of their films and simultaneously support foreign distributors who want to import and distribute Norwegian films.

Other crucial measures for European co-producers include the introduction – following a three-year trial – of a 15% refund of production costs incurred in Norway, provided the incentive measures have been approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority and Norway’s ratification of the European Convention on Co-Production of Cinematographic Works.

The White Paper on Film Policy was based on a report from a committee appointed by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs, which included members from the local film industry and the Scandinavian film institutes. It was warmly welcomed by the local Producers Association and Lene Løken, head of Film & Kino, and is now set to become law by summer.