The goal of the feasibility study is to map the Kvarken region’s film industry and explore opportunities for developing a film hub in the Kvarken region – a hub that could serve as the foundation for a joint film and TV scene. The Kvarken Council EGTC is the lead partner in the study, with other project partners including Svenska Österbottens förbund för utbildning och kultur, Novia University of Applied Sciences, and Region Västerbotten.
“The main goal of the film hub is to build competencies and structures to enable and increase the amount of major film and TV productions in the Kvarken region”, explains Andreas Westerberg, Project Leader at Novia.
The mapping of the film industry in Ostrobothnia and Västerbotten has been conducted through a survey prepared by the project group, receiving a total of 64 responses.
“Through this mapping, we have created a picture of the strengths and needs on both sides of the Kvarken. In the long term, we can strengthen areas with existing expertise while addressing areas that require support”, Westerberg explains.
Larger Implementation Project as the Goal
The project group has carried out several activities during the project period and organized two workshops – one in Vaasa, Finland, and the other in Umeå, Sweden. In September, a networking meeting and industry event named KickOff were organized in Vaasa, bringing together professionals from the audiovisual industry. Among other things, the Kvarken Film Network feasibility study was presented during the event. The resource centre Film i Västerbotten also organized industry days during the Umeå Film Festival, with the project group participating.
During the project period, work has also begun on establishing support and funding structures.
“A proposal for a new regional film fund model to support major film productions has been developed in Västerbotten. In Ostrobothnia, the feasibility of establishing a film commission has been explored, collaboration with film workers in Seinäjoki has begun, and the possibilities of coordinating smaller actors into a larger entity have been investigated”, explains Westerberg.
Moreover, discussions have been held about a future implementation project within the Interreg framework and identifying potential collaboration partners for such a project.
“An economically sustainable structure to support and develop the Kvarken region’s film industry would be established in the implementation project”, Westerberg concludes.
Read more about the Kvarken Film Network HERE.
Felicia Vesterlund from Film i Västerbotten, Andreas Westerberg from Novia University of Applied Sciences, Fredric Larsson from Film i Västerbotten, Johan Lundkvist from Film i Västerbotten, Simon Staffans from ReThink NMS, and Sofia Sundholm from Yrkesakademin i Österbotten have been part of the Kvarken Film Network feasibility study.
