Overview

Nordic Genre Lab takes place September 23–25, 2026 during Finnish Film Affair in Helsinki. The program combines mentoring, workshops, panels, matchmaking, and a live pitch competition to give Nordic genre filmmakers the tools, connections, and visibility they need to move their projects forward.

Selected teams participate in the full program. Panels and select workshops are also open to the public.

Mentoring

Each selected producer + director team receives two dedicated mentor sessions with Claire Willats, covering:

• Script notes – dramaturgical and market-facing feedback on your screenplay
• Market notes – where does your project sit in the current genre landscape? How do you talk about it?

Additional mentoring with Todd Brown focuses on global genre market insights and strategic project positioning.

Pitch Training & Competition

Pitch Training

Before the competition, all teams receive dedicated pitch training sessions to refine their verbal pitch and visual materials.

Deck Consulting

Work with mentors to sharpen your pitch deck – from concept art to financial positioning.

Pitch Competition

Selected teams pitch live in front of a jury of top industry experts – sales agents, producers, financiers, and filmmakers. Winners receive post-production vouchers and other prizes.

Jury: Noëmie Devide (Goodfellas/France), Sydney Brumfield (Serchlight/US), Espen Aukan (screenwriter/Norway)

Workshops

Nordic Genre Lab offers 2 hands-on workshops, combining public lectures with private sessions for selected teams. Lecturers and topics will be announced here later.

Panels

Nordic Genre Lab hosts 1 panel discussion during Finnish Film Affair, featuring producers, financiers, and filmmakers.

Panel themes will be announced here later.

Selected teams also receive one-on-one meetings with panelists

Panels are open to all FFA attendees.

Matchmaking & Networking

Beyond structured sessions, Nordic Genre Lab creates dedicated matchmaking opportunities – connecting your team with:

• Sales agents
• Co-producers
• Financiers and investors
• Distributors
• Post-production partners
• Other Nordic genre filmmakers

Your full Finnish Film Affair accreditation gives you access to the broader industry program, networking events, screenings, and more.

Studio Visit

All selected teams visit Fireframe LED Screen Studio in Helsinki — Finland’s state-of-the-art virtual production facility. Experience the technology firsthand and explore how it can serve your project.

Schedule

WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

09:00–16:30 One-to-one mentoring sessions with Todd Brown and Claire Willats
16:45–17:45 Finnish Film Affair opening reception
18:00–19:30 FFA opening screening: Nightborn (dir. Hanna Bergholm)
19:45–22:00 Nordic Genre Lab opening reception

THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

08:30–13:10 One-to-one mentoring sessions with Todd Brown and Claire Willats
13:40–14:30 NORDIC GENRE LAB PITCH — eight projects, five minutes each
Bio Rex
15:00–18:15 One-to-one matchmaking meetings with international industry guests
19:00–22:00 Sauna, dinner and the Nordic Genre Lab Award Ceremony
Löyly

FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

09:00–12:15 One-to-one mentoring sessions with Todd Brown
12:30–14:00 MASTERCLASS: TBC
14:00–15:00 GENRE PANEL
Gilda
15:30–17:30 Fireframe Studio visit TBC