Nordic Genre Lab has been awarded funding by the Finnish Film Foundation and Nordisk Film & TV Fond. With both decisions now confirmed, the financing for the inaugural 2026 edition is fully in place.
“It means a great deal to have the backing of two of the most influential funding bodies in the Nordic film industry,” says Laura Laaksonen, co-founder of Nordic Genre Lab. “This is a new programme, and that kind of support is a signal to the whole field that Nordic genre cinema is worth investing in.“
The funding allows the programme to be delivered as originally designed. “We can now run the lab exactly as we planned it — including the masterclasses our participants voted for most. We can bring the best possible international industry experts to Helsinki, and we can host a proper opening for everyone taking part.“
Nordic Genre Lab takes place in Helsinki on 23–25 September 2026 during Finnish Film Affair, the industry event of Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy. Eight producer-director teams from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Faroe Islands were selected from 29 applications. The programme is founded by Riimu Creative and Two Magpies Entertainment, and is also supported by Nordisk Kulturfond.
