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12 months have passed since Nordisk Forum took place in Aarhus, and we have gathered information on the financial outcome and project development as a result of the event. Questionnaires were sent to the pitching producers and this report is based on the answers and suggestions from all those addressed.
The projects
The number of project applications remained on a stable high level with 68 from the eight participating countries, counting the five Nordic and three Baltic countries. 21 projects were ultimately selected for Nordisk Forum, 4 from Denmark, 4 from Finland, 3 from Iceland, 4 from Norway, 5 from Sweden, and 1 from Estonia.
In addition, 3 projects were pitched in the category New Talent Pitches, welcoming new up- coming documentary filmmakers with their brand new projects to the Nordisk Forum scene.
Introduced last year, adding a breath of fresh air and an element of surprise The New Talent Pitches were again very well received.
The results
During and after Nordisk Forum 2006, 43 financial deals were entered between participating producers and financiers, 24 prebuys (defined as amounts up to 15.000€) and 19 co-productions (defined as amounts over 15.000€) , amounting to a total turnover between financiers and producers of close to €900.000, which is a new all time high.
With a total budget of €88.000 and a turnover of approx. €900.000, Nordisk Forum can demonstrate a cost-benefit result of more than 1:10.
The current status of the 24 projects is as follows: 4 are completed, 5 are in post-production, 7 are in production, 6 are in pre-production and 2 are on hold. Thus, 90% are in various stages of production or completed.
16 projects, of which at least 2 are still being negotiated, secured additional financing as a result of Nordisk Forum. 9 projects obtained financing from several broadcasters or film institutes, while 7 obtained financing from only one single financier. The remaining 8 projects, which did not obtain additional funding, included 2 New Talent Pitches, which were not yet sufficiently developed for financing decisions, yet received positive feedback and forged valuable contacts. 2 projects were closed down for different reasons shortly after Nordisk Forum 2006 and the remaining 4 could either not generate interest or match TV stations' slots. Yet, one of these has managed to carry out the production and will première i February 2008.
The attending broadcasters entered 22 financing deals. The Finnish broadcaster, YLE, entered the highest number of deals, 9 in all. The film institutes entered 15 deals and in addition Nordic Film & TV Fund entered the highest number of deals, 6 in all.
In conclusion, the total turnover has never been higher, demonstrating a balanced number of deals from institutes and broadcasters, however focusing on fewer projects.
Non-Nordic financiers and producers
The participation of non-Nordic professionals plays an important role in the extroversion of Nordisk Forum and stimulates the forging of crossborder ties in terms of both creative exchange, financing and distribution. However, evaluations show that these initiatives become more meaningful over time, so professional relationships can develop and grow. The Baltic countries attended for the first time in 2003 and it is safe to say that the Baltic participants are welcomed as part of the Nordic family.
Financiers outside the Nordic region included Karlo Funk from Estonian Film Institute and Marje Jurtshenko from Eesti Televisioon. In addition, the Documentary Channel participated for the first time, represented by Michael Burns and finally Elisabth Hultén from ARTE France was present again, followed by her G.E.I.E. colleague, Philippe Müller.
Moderators
In advance of Nordisk Forum, all Pitch Team Members were encouraged to book meetings with at least one of the three moderators – which 20 of 24 pitch teams in fact did. The point was to sharpen the presentation and lessen the tension before the pitch. Tue Steen Müller and Cecilia Lidin from European Documentary Network, Denmark moderated the pitching sessions and the response from the producers was again overwhelmingly positive; their knowledge, compassion and professionalism was praised.
Meetings and services
All participants agree that Individual Meetings booked through Filmkontakt Nord’s staff is an important and distinctive service of Nordisk Forum. In comparison with other financing fora, the centrally booked meetings minimize the hassling of commissioning editors and contribute to an atmosphere of order and concentration, which is instrumental for having the full benefit of an event of this type. The participants express general satisfaction with the high turnout and efficiency of the Individual Meetings. During the two afternoons 311 meetings were requested and 249 were granted, which demonstrates an 80% coverage.
Again this year Filmkontakt Nord took notes of the panel discussions after each pitch, helping the pitch teams to direct and focus their meeting requests towards the relevant financiers.
Nordisk Forum Online and Publications
Introducing this year's new feature, an internet component Nordisk Forum Online: Pitch teams and Observers were offered to post a film clip including basic project information online. 43 projects were presented on NF Online, serving as a live project catalogue, but also a platform, offering the attending financiers a modern, effective tool and an opportunity to see what's in the pipeline among Observer projects.
Financiers and filmmakers alike expressed great satisfaction with this new service and more online features will be developed for future editions.
In addition, Nordisk Forum distributed the regular catalogues in print: The Project Catalogue, providing information on the projects to be pitched, and a Participants' Guide, containing delegate list, profiles of commissioning editors and contact information etc.
MEDIA Desks
The Nordic and Baltic MEDIA Desks were again present with an Information Desk. Their presence brings them in direct contact with their primary users, the producers, and both parties benefit accordingly. The MEDIA Desks once again hosted a successful and well-attended closing reception.
The general response from participants at Nordisk Forum 2006 is that Nordisk Forum is a well-organized, effective and vital event for the continuous development, production and distribution of Nordic and Baltic documentaries. In particular, the participants praised the smooth and professional execution of the visual media and also expressed their appreciation of the pre-booked one-on-one meetings, resulting in both a disciplined and relaxed atmosphere. In conclusion, the wellknown format was valued, but the new initiative, Nordisk Forum Online was equally appreciated. Likewise, participating professionals agree that Nordisk Forum is an important industrial platform for the establishing and maintaining of contacts between producers and financiers.
Prepared for Filmkontakt Nord by
Heidi Elise Christensen
Nordisk Forum Manager
November 2007
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