Monday, 27.4.2026
New training program for Nordic genre filmmakers to debut at Finnish Film Affair in Helsinki, September 2026 featuring mentoring, panels, pitch competition and matchmaking.
HELSINKI, FINLAND — Nordic Genre Lab, a new intensive training and networking program dedicated to genre feature film development in the Nordic countries, today announces its first edition and opens its call for applications. The program will take place in Helsinki, Finland, on September 24–25, 2026 during Finnish Film Affair, the industry event of Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy, and has secured financial support from Nordisk Kulturfond.
Nordic Genre Lab will select up to 6–8 producer + director teams from across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland who are developing feature films in horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, or thriller.
“Genre cinema has a massive global audience, yet Nordic genre filmmakers have long lacked a dedicated support structure designed specifically for them,” said Laura Laaksonen, co-founder of the initiative. Lydia Taylerson, head of Finnish Film Affair continues: “Nordic Genre Lab fills that gap. We believe the next wave of great genre films is coming from the North, and we’re here to make sure the world sees them.”
A Program Built for Genre
Over two intensive days, selected teams will work closely with leading international industry experts through a program combining deep project-level mentoring with practical industry knowledge and direct access to decision-makers in the global genre film ecosystem.
At the heart of the program are dedicated mentor sessions with internationally renowned producer and consultant Claire Willats, who recently co-founded Two Magpies Entertainment with Katie Davidson. She will be offering the teams dramaturgical feedback and market consulting. Teams also receive strategic positioning mentoring from Todd Brown, founder of Twitch Film, former XYZ Films executive, and one of the most connected figures in global genre cinema. “There’s a dark and playful sophistication to Nordic storytelling that lends itself so well to genre,” says Brown. “The wealth of talent is remarkable and it will be an absolute pleasure to help bring the next generation to the global audiences they deserve.“
The program further includes pitch training and a live pitch competition in front of a jury of top industry experts. Hands-on workshops on audience design and on social media marketing give teams practical tools for reaching audiences, while a workshop and studio visit at Fireframe LED Screen Studio introduces teams to the possibilities of virtual production for genre filmmaking. Panel discussions featuring international sales agents, producers, financiers, and distributors — with dedicated one-on-one meetings for selected teams — round out a program designed to open doors at every stage of the value chain.
All selected teams receive one night’s accommodation in Helsinki and full Finnish Film Affair accreditation.
“The Nordic countries have always had a deep relationship with dark storytelling — from the sagas to Scandinavian noir to the current wave of genre filmmaking breaking through internationally,” said Claire Willats, co-founder of the initiative. “Nordic Genre Lab gives these filmmakers a launchpad that understands their work and connects them to the global industry that’s hungry for it.”
Who Can Apply
Nordic Genre Lab is open to producer + director teams where at least one team member is a citizen of a Nordic country. Both team members must have at least one short film screened at multiple international festivals, or one feature film credit. Applicants must have a completed first draft of their screenplay and be developing a project in horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, or thriller. Applications must be submitted in English. The selection committee consists of Program Mentors Claire Willats and Todd Brown, and in addition, the mastermind behind Norwegian genre hits like Villmark Asylum, The Tunnel and Kraken – the renowned producer from Bergen Norway: Einar Loftesnes.
Applications open April 27th and close May 20th. Selected teams will be announced no later than June 8th. Full details and the application form are available at nordicgenrelab.org.
Press Contact
Laura Laaksonen, Co-Founder, Head of Program
info@nordicgenrelab.org
+358503486132