The key support from the local film committee for distribution and sales, and the local film committee to strengthen opportunities for co-production was one of the issues highlighted in the first industry programme of the French Scandinavian film era held in Paris.
French and Nordic film industry experts gathered in the French capital from March 5th to 7th for an event hosted by the French CNC along with five Nordics (Danish Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, Icelandic Film Center, Norwegian Film Institute, and Swedish Film Institute).
The industry programme, run alongside a series of screenings and filmmakers’ Q&, designed to spark interest in Scandinavian titles among French audiences, took place at the Swedish Institute and CNC Headquarters in Paris. The top of the agenda focused on support schemes available from five Scandinavian Europe to support Nordic film performances in France and international film releases, including collaborations with sales agents and local distributors. International distribution support is available in Sweden, Finland and Norway.
According to CNC figures, over the past decade, Swedish films have continued to lead Scandinavian films with 2.3 million films and Norwegian films with 2.8 million admissions with 1.1 million admissions. During this period, Denmark released most of the films (44), followed by Sweden (37) and Norway (28).
France’s box office raves a strong 2024 with 181.1 million entry, but all Nordic countries last year saw dip in attendance last year, from a modest 3% of Danish films to a 35% drop in Swedish titles compared to 2023.
Dangerous business
Martin Jerome of the French Condor distribution and Sarachazelle of Jour2fête joined the Danish camera film Kim Foss and Swedish Tri-Art Matthias Norborg to discuss distribution challenges and strategies for distributing their respective strategies to the territory.
Norborg emphasized that he described as “a monopoly on Swedish AMC films.” He also explained, “French commercial comedies don’t sell tickets — Swedish audiences are looking for more auer titles with higher quality when they go to watch French films.”
Triart recently released French-produced films such as Mohammad Rasoulof’s Sacred Fig Seed.
Foss points out the importance of Danish film clubs, and its support has become essential to the success of arthouse films on the territory. “For arthouse distributors, choices are like winning the lottery,” he said of the club. The club will allow 240,000 members to access 10 movies for half price for 17 euros a year.
Foss quoted in 2022 driving Madeleine It recorded approximately 185,000 admissions in Denmark as a French title that benefited from the selection of a cinema club. Of these, 45,000 tickets were at the full price. It will be released in May when the French box office is announced Marching BandFoss is estimated to sell at least 100,000 tickets.
Foss cited Danish film fans as “reducing risk,” saying, “We’re stuck without support because distribution is a riskier business than people perceive.” What’s more important was Creative Europe Media’s distribution support, along with Nordic support and boosting titles from France, Germany and Italy.
In another session, we explore the dynamics of French sales strategies for Nordic films with Finnish producers Daniel Quitonen and Goodfellas’ Noemi Devide and about working together NightboneFollow-up to Hanna Bergholm’s horror hit hatching It is currently in post-production.
Paradise City Sales’ Alexandre Morrow quoted his company’s success with Emily Brichfeld Ugly step-sister It premiered at Sundance and sells worldwide, including the trembling of North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Distributor – Previously Memento International – Previously handled sales of Joachim Trier Thelma, Produced by Catlin Pors of Danish snow glove.
Several major Nordic producers were in Paris to present their projects at various stages of development at joint production workshops.
Highlights include Norwegian Mottley, who won the Golden Bear in Berlin Dream (sex love) Dag Johan Haugerud’s Next Movie The feet of the mountains, Iceland’s S101 with upcoming features from Valdimar Johannsson paradox, Danish Zentropa with Wayne Roberts You can call me Adolf and You’re still hereand Danish Snow Gloves feature eclectic slates from new films by Carlos Reigadas, Christian Mungiu and Flynr Palmason.
Over the past decade, 42 films have been approved as official co-productions between France and at least the Scandinavian countries.
Geopolitics enters into conflict
“Cinema plays a clear role in an international context that calls for strengthening Europe as a unified space and as a force in all fields,” said newly appointed CNC President Gaetan Bruell.
Some industry panelists have raised concerns about geography blocking, and the risk of suggestions by some EU politicians to remove it will be brought about for the production, distribution and sales of films across the continent. “Geoblocking protects territory and keeps the market alive,” Foss pointed out.
On the festival side, the screening included the winner of Carlovy Hypnosis, Juho Kuosmanen’s A quiet trilogy Haugerudo’s Venice Competition Title love.
French Scandinavian Film Day is wrapped on March 9th.
(TagStoTRASSLATE)France (T)Northern Europe (T)
