Nordic and Baltic Film Industries Forge Stronger Co-Production Ties Amidst Geopolitical Shifts

Haugesund, Norway – The New Nordic Films market in Haugesund is spotlighting a burgeoning alliance between the Nordic and Baltic film industries, marked by a significant delegation of over 30 Baltic industry representatives. This year's focus underscores a strategic push to enhance co-productions and explore new avenues for collaboration amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes.

Baltic Focus: A Milestone for Collaboration

Edith Sepp, CEO of the Estonian Film Institute (EFI), emphasized the significance of the Baltic Focus program, stating, "It's a milestone. An affirmation that the creative exchange and artistic alliance between the Baltics and Nordics is evolving into something deeper, more strategic and enduring." This sentiment reflects a concerted effort by both political and industry stakeholders to solidify existing partnerships and cultivate new ones.

Historical Ties and Growing Interest

Historically, Estonia, with its robust audiovisual sector and proximity to Finland, has been a key Nordic production partner among the Baltic states. "Finland remains a strong and close partner, with decades of shared production history," says Sepp, alongside EFI head of production Viola Salu. "But in the last five to seven years, we've seen growing interest from other Nordic countries."

Estonia's Co-Production Surge

Data from Film Estonia reveals a notable increase in co-productions between Estonia and Nordic partners. Over the past five years, more than 20 such projects have been initiated, escalating from four in 2020 to eleven in 2024. Notable collaborations include Finnish films like Klaus Härö's "Never Alone," Miia Tervo's "The Missile," Frida Kempff's "The Swedish Torpedo," and Mattias Johansson Skoglund's "The Home."

Lithuania's Rapid Rise in Nordic Collaborations

Lithuania, boasting the largest domestic market share in the Baltics (20.5% in 2024), has swiftly aligned with Estonia in fostering Nordic collaborations. The Lithuanian Film Centre, with a state film support budget of $12.8 million for 2025, has actively supported co-productions through its selective funding scheme. Since 2020, the organization has backed seven minority and four majority co-productions with Nordic partners.

Long-Term Partnerships and Mutual Trust

The Lithuanian Film Centre highlights the growing trend of sustained collaborations between Nordic and Baltic producers. "Instead of one-off projects, producers are returning to trusted partners. This stronger collaboration is built on mutual trust, a better understanding of local talent and past success."

Case Study: "The Visitor" and Cross-Border Collaboration

Lithuania's M Films exemplifies this trend, having partnered twice with Sweden's Garagefilm International. Their collaborations include Marija Kavtradze's "Slow" and Vytautas Katkus's "The Visitor," which earned Katkus the best director award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Elisa Fernanda Pirir of Norway's Stær Film joined "The Visitor" through Garagefilm, leading to a partnership between Stær Film and M Films on Anders Emblem's upcoming "Also a Life."

"We made a beautiful human connection," says Marija Razgutė, CEO of M Films and a Producer on the Move at Cannes 2020, underscoring the importance of shared artistic vision and working practices in successful co-productions.

Geopolitical Context: A Catalyst for Unity

According to film historian Peter Cowie, the increased collaboration between the Nordic and Baltic film industries can also be attributed to the current geopolitical climate. "Russia's aggression in Ukraine has undeniably fostered a stronger sense of unity and shared identity among these nations," Cowie notes. "This has translated into a greater willingness to pool resources and talent to create films that reflect their shared values and experiences."

Expert Perspective: The Future of Nordic-Baltic Cinema

Anna Serner, former CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, believes that the growing collaboration between the Nordic and Baltic regions represents a significant opportunity for the European film industry. "By combining their unique storytelling traditions and production expertise, these countries can create films that resonate with both local and international audiences," Serner explains. "This collaboration also allows for greater risk-taking and experimentation, which can lead to innovative and groundbreaking cinematic works."

Looking Ahead

The Baltic Focus at the New Nordic Films market signals a promising future for co-productions between the Nordic and Baltic film industries. As these nations continue to strengthen their ties and leverage their collective resources, the global film landscape can expect to see a surge of compelling and culturally rich stories emerging from this dynamic region.