SF Studios and Nordisk Film urge the Finnish government to reconsider the proposed significant cuts in film funding
The Finnish government’s proposed reduction of nearly €8 million in national film funding has sparked an important discussion about the future of Finland’s cultural and creative industries. The film sector is not only a source of artistic expression, but also a driver of employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and local vitality across the country.
With stable and predictable support, Finnish cinema has grown into a vibrant industry, around 15-17 feature films are produced annually in the country, employing more than 5000 professionals, and ensuring that audiences in both larger cities and small towns have access to culture on the big screen. A significant reduction in funding would inevitably result in fewer productions, fewer jobs, and reduced access to culture in many communities. Most critically, around 50 cinemas – many of them in rural areas – would be at risk of closure, leaving large parts of the population without access to local cinema.
The Finnish film industry plays a vital role in the national economy. Domestic productions drive growth, stimulate tourism, and return significantly more to the state in taxes and contributions than the initial investment requires. Just as importantly, they safeguard jobs across a wide range of professions - from creatives to technical experts - and sustain local cinemas that serve as cultural hubs in towns and cities throughout Finland.
Nordic culture is under pressure from the constant flow of global content. This makes it more important than ever to ensure that people have access to local stories they recognize as their own. Finnish films reflect our society in ways that global productions cannot — they build cultural cohesion, create common ground, and offer perspectives on our history that deepen our understanding of the present.
Cutting support for these stories is the wrong way to go - and across the Nordic region, the trend is in fact the opposite. Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are reinforcing their support for local film in order to attract investment and secure their cultural voice internationally. Finland has the opportunity to remain an equal partner in this landscape, ensuring that Finnish stories continue to reach audiences at home and abroad, strengthening both cultural identity and competitiveness.
SF Studios and Nordisk Film – two of the region’s leading film companies with more than a century of history – are united in their commitment to Finnish film. Together, the companies have reached out to members of the Finnish Parliament to share their perspective: maintaining strong support for film is not just a cultural choice, but also an economic and social investment in Finland’s future.
At the same time, SF Studios and Nordisk Film are clear: should the proposed cuts be implemented, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to sustain the same level of investment in Finnish productions. This would put at risk the very qualities that make Finnish cinema unique – its stories, its voices, and its contribution to national and Nordic cultural heritage. The result would be a lasting loss, not only for the film industry, but for Finland’s culture as a whole.
Contact
Kristina Linglöf, EVP HR & Communications at SF Studios, kristina.linglof@sfstudios.se
Katarina Nyman, Director of Film Distribution Finland at Nordisk Film, katarina.nyman@nordiskfilm.com
About SF Studios
SF Studios, established in 1919, is one of the world’s oldest film companies. Today SF Studios is the leading film studio in the Nordic region with its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden and offices in Oslo, Copenhagen and Helsinki. The company is producing and distributing feature films and TV series as well as providing the streaming services SF Anytime and Blockbuster. SF Studios is part of the leading Nordic media company Bonnier.
About Nordisk Film
Nordisk Film was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1906 and is one of the world’s oldest film studios. It is now a leading Nordic entertainment company specializing in cross-platform storytelling. Nordisk Film produces, markets and distributes films and series in the Nordic countries. Nordisk Film owns and co-owns several leading production companies and has partnerships with some of the best Nordic and international film producers and studios. Nordisk Film also operates a chain of leading cinemas in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and owns a number of global computer game studios. It is part of the Egmont Media Group.
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