Funding & Partners

25% Production Incentive

The Norwegian Film Production Incentive is designed to increase the number of international film and series productions in Norway, showcasing Norwegian culture, history and landscapes to global audiences. The incentive aims to strengthen the Norwegian and Sámi screen industries by building experience and expertise, stimulating growth, supporting sustainability, and encouraging international collaboration.

Eligible film and high-end TV productions with international distribution can receive a 25% cash rebate on qualifying local spend. Applications must meet minimum requirements, including a cultural and production test and project scale criteria.

The 2027 application window opens in June, with a deadline in November. Applications are assessed over 6–8 weeks, and funding is awarded to the highest-ranked projects in each round.

The incentive scheme is administered by the Norwegian Film Institute.

Separate rules apply to Svalbard.

Application form

Overview

To qualify for the incentive, the project must achieve the minimum required score in the qualification test and meet the following statutory criteria:

  • At least 30% international (non-Norwegian) financing
  • Minimum qualifying spend in Norway: NOK 4 million
  • Minimum total (world) budget:
    • Feature films: NOK 25 million
    • Drama series: NOK 10 million per episode
    • Documentary films: NOK 10 million
    • Documentary series: NOK 5 million per episode

Applications must be submitted before the start of production. Eligible costs may be incurred from the date the application is received.

The main production company, or a person authorised to act on its behalf, may apply. The grant recipient must be either:

  • a Norwegian SPV registered as a limited liability company (AS), or
  • a company established in the EEA or the UK, with a branch registered in Norway

The production must be carried out through an audio-visual production company that is established and registered in the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises as a limited liability company. This company must be set up specifically for the production covered by the application and will be financially responsible for all production activity in Norway.

All costs included in the application must be recorded in this company’s accounts, and any reimbursement will be paid only to this company.

If the total amount of reimbursement requested exceeds the available funds for the calendar year, eligible projects will be prioritised and ranked based on the following criteria:

  • Total world budget
  • Qualifying spend in Norway
  • International distribution
  • Share of private financing (excluding incentives and public funding)
  • Share of non-Norwegian financing

The Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) issues a 25% reimbursement guarantee on qualifying spend for eligible projects, until the annual allocation is fully awarded. The guarantee is issued to a Norwegian SPV and is valid for one year, with the option to extend for an additional year.

The disbursement request must be submitted within six months of the end of production in Norway. The project must be audited by a Norwegian certified public accountant (CPA), and the applicant must have no outstanding direct or indirect tax liabilities to the Norwegian authorities at the time of submission.

National & Regional Film Funds

Norway has a national film fund, administered by the Norwegian Film Institute.

In addition there are four regional film funds, combining public funding and private capital. Their mandate is to increase audiovisual production activity in — and connected to — their respective regions.

The Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) is Norway's government agency responsible for film, drama and games.

Co-production funding is available for fiction feature film productions for cinema, documentary productions, single or series for cinema or tv release, drama series and short films, with a Norwegian minority co-producer.

Zefyr is the regional film fund for Western and Southern Norway, investing in feature films, series and long-form documentaries with strong creative ambition and international potential. The fund offers a mix of public non-recoupable support and private finance, with the mandate to develop screen production in the region by attracting projects, building industry capacity and supporting sustainable production activity.

Filminvest supports film and series production in Eastern Norway through non-recoupable government grants, investments and top-up financing. By partnering with producers on projects with national and international reach, Filminvest contributes to increased production volume, stronger industry growth and more professional opportunities across the region.

Arctic Film Norway Invest provides non-recoupable government support, top-up financing and investments in feature films, series, long-form documentaries and games to increase screen activity and create more jobs in Northern Norway. The fund supports projects that strengthen the region as a production hub and contribute to long-term industry growth —helping Northern stories reach audiences in Norway and internationally.

Oslo Film Fund supports film and high-end series production in Norway’s capital region through investment and top-up financing. The fund aims to strengthen Oslo as a competitive production centre, attract national and international projects, and create sustainable growth and employment in the local screen industry.

Oslo Film Fund champions innovative initiatives — particularly those with a strong local connection and a clear commitment to sustainability, climate-friendly production, gender equality and inclusion.

Regional Film Commissions

Norway's regional film commissions provide tailored support to meet the needs of any production, backed by deep local knowledge — from locations and logistics to permits, contacts, regulations, and regional opportunities.

Eastern Norway Film Commission is a department of Innlandet County — Norway’s largest county by area and a region larger than Denmark. The commission provides free, tailored support for feature films and TV series filming on location in Eastern Norway.

Innlandet offers highly varied scenery, including the highest mountains in Northern Europe, deep valleys, large lakes, wild rivers, and vast forests. Productions benefit from reliable winter conditions, experienced crews, and welcoming, film-friendly communities.

Midgard Film Commission covers Trøndelag County, in the heart of Norway. The region offers a diverse landscape and strong infrastructure, with snow-secure winter locations, easy access to mountains, valleys, coastline, and remote wilderness—alongside kilometres of cinematic, unspoilt Nordic scenery.

The commission is a department within Central Norway Film Centre, and offers free guidance for filming in the region and can help identify relevant funding and financing opportunities for productions in Norway. Midgard can also assist with location scouting, introductions to co-producers, and connections to crews, vendors, industry partners, and public authorities.

Arctic Film Norway covers Northern and Arctic Norway, including the archipelago of Svalbard. Representing more than one third of Norway’s territory, the region delivers an extraordinary range of landscapes, weather, and seasonal variation—along with distinctive Arctic light, from the Midnight Sun to the Northern Lights. Productions can also expect strong infrastructure and reliable snow conditions.

Arctic Film Norway provides film commission services and funding for national and international film and TV productions in Northern Norway and Svalbard. They support professional collaboration with the regional industry and offer an overview of film-friendly service providers across the region.

The Oslo Film Commission covers Norway’s capital region—offering everything from cutting-edge architecture and urban locations to farmland, forests, lakes, fjords, and coastline. Oslo is also home to a highly experienced production environment, with access to top-tier talent and resources.

The commission is a part of Oslo municipality, and supports productions with location research, facilitation between public and private stakeholders, and guidance on logistics, permits, and applications. They can also advise on incentives and local funding opportunities, as well as help connect productions to crew and equipment resources.

Western Norway Film Commission covers the Norway’s iconic fjord region, the counties of Vestland and Møre & Romsdal. The region offers a striking mix of fjords, mountains, coastline, and dramatic weather, with many locations that are both spectacular and production-accessible.

The commission is a department within Western Norway Film Fund, and provides free location scouting and production support, and the region offers strong financing options, plus access to post-production and VFX facilities.

Regional Film Centres

All counties in Norway are served by publicly funded regional film centres, each with a clear cultural mandate.

Their primary remit is to support the development and production of short films and documentaries, strengthen professional competence in the screen sector, and nurture emerging talent across their counties and regions. Several centres also offer support for feature-length films, depending on regional priorities and available funding.

Central Norway Film Centre administers funding for the development and production of short and documentary films, as well as the development of feature-length fiction, TV series and video games in the Trøndelag county in Central Norway.

The centre contributes to the professional and artistic development of film production in Trøndelag through targeted skills-building initiatives. It also plays an important role in identifying and supporting emerging talent seeking a future in the screen industries. Midtnorsk Film Centre is additionally responsible for operating Midgard Film Commission Norway.

Eastern Norwegian Film Centre is owned by Innlandet County Council, together with the municipalities of Gausdal, Lillehammer and Øyer.

The centre manages approximately NOK 10 million in annual project funding, which is distributed to audiovisual creators and productions, as well as industry, youth and talent initiatives, alongside separate operating support.

The Centre's core remit is to support audiovisual and entertainment projects, including short and documentary films, games, and early development of feature-length films. Based in Innlandet, the Centre collaborates closely with the regional film fund Filminvest, and works in partnership with Eastern Norway Film Commission to strengthen production in the region.

Filmkraft is the regional film centre for the county of Rogaland in the Western region of Norway, working to strengthen professional audiovisual production in the region through support for development and production, industry initiatives, and talent development. Filmkraft also engages with games and cross-media projects, helping build long-term competence and capacity in the region.

Arctic Film Norway is a national and international organisation dedicated to bringing Arctic stories to audiences worldwide. It brings together funding schemes, a regional film fund, and a film commission under one umbrella—strengthening production in Northern Norway and increasing the region’s global visibility.

As the region’s film centre, Arctic Film Norway supports the development and production of short films and documentaries, while also contributing to skills development and professional growth across the Northern Norwegian screen industry. The organisation is owned by the county authorities of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark.

South Norwegian Film Centre supports the development and production of short and documentary films across Southern Norway in the counties of Agder, Telemark and Vestfold. The Centre works to strengthen regional talent and industry growth by investing in new voices, building professional skills, and supporting filmmakers from idea to screen. Through targeted funding, guidance and industry initiatives, the organisation works to ensure that stories from the Southern region of Norway reach audiences both nationally and internationally.

Viken Film Centre supports film and series production across the region of South-Eastern Norway, including Oslo, with funding aimed at strengthening regional storytelling and building sustainable professional talent. The centre provides grants for development and production, as well as initiatives that support competence-building and new voices in the industry.

Western Norway Film Fund administers national and regional funding for the development and production of short films, documentaries, feature films and series, as well as game development. The centre serves as an ambitious partner for the screen industry in the counties of Vestland and Møre & Romsdal in Western Norway, strengthening the region’s competitiveness both nationally and internationally.

In addition to production support, the organisation funds professional development initiatives and film culture events, hosts industry meet-ups and training programmes, and provides grants that enable professionals to take part in key national and international forums.

Film Festivals and Markets

New Nordic Films is an annual Film Market and Nordic Co-Production Market that showcases a unique selection of 50+ forthcoming Nordic feature-length films. It is a key player in promoting Nordic cinema and is a central hub for networking, financing, and collaboration opportunities among the most essential players in the Nordic and global film industry.

This market takes place yearly in August during the Norwegian International Film Festival in the charming coastal town of Haugesund, will bring together almost 350 invited industry professionals from around 30 countries.

Film projects featured span various genres and are selected based on their artistic merit and potential for international appeal. Each participating project aims to make a mark in both the Nordic and International markets.

The Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund has, for decades, celebrated film and the art of cinema as a key meeting place for the Norwegian and Nordic screen industries and the wider public. The festival also serves as an important arena for professional and policy discussions, while offering a strong showcase of both Norwegian and international films.

Founded as Norway’s first film festival, his Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon is the festival’s High Patron, and Liv Ullmann serves as Honorary President.

Tromsø International Film Festival (TIFF) takes place every January during the Polar Night. The festival presents an ambitious programme of high-quality, thought-provoking cinema for local, national and international audiences, welcoming more than 60,000 admissions each year.

The Bergen International Film Festival (BIFF) takes place every October and is one of Norway’s largest film festivals, attracting more than 55,000 admissions each year. BIFF is particularly renowned for its strong documentary programme, with curated sections exploring human rights, climate and environmental issues, architecture, and academic research.

International Sámi Film Institute

The International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) is dedicated to strengthening Sámi storytelling by supporting Sámi filmmakers in developing, producing and distributing films in the Sámi languages. Its mandate is to build and sustain a vibrant Sámi film industry across Sápmi, spanning parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

ISFI also provides valuable resources for productions, including pathfinder guidelines for responsible filmmaking in collaboration with Sámi culture, communities and people.

Svalbard

Expenses incurred on Svalbard are not considered costs “incurred in Norway” under the current film production incentive regulations. This also applies to co-productions with foreign main producers. However, costs linked to Norwegian mainland workers (e.g. insurance, travel, per diem, accommodation) are considered eligible Norwegian expenses.

Entities or individuals based or registered on Svalbard are not eligible for national film grants or incentives.