Burning questions at film policy summit
Which path should Swedish film policy take? On Friday, actors at different levels within the industry will gather for a film policy meeting in Gothenburg.
More money than ever is going into film production. Never before has so much film been made as now. The major streaming services have redrawn the map for both the film industry and the audience. The result of the Swedish election has created question marks about the future. Global changes are causing challenges.
On the table at this year's film policy meeting are therefore a number of burning questions. These are about the role of the public sector, ownership, Swedishness and creative control.
From the Norrbotten Region, regional councilor Glenn Berggård (V) and Janus Brandin, regional development director, are participating.
“Arm's length away”
– Film policy needs to offer an opportunity for people to show what is happening and happening up here. Both through documentaries but also feature films, which raise burning issues and touch. It is important that politics keeps an arm's length distance from cultural practice. At the same time, politics should create the conditions so that it can be practiced, says Berggård.
The meeting takes place during the Gothenburg Film Festival. It brings together politicians and officials at municipal, regional and national levels. Heavyweights from the film industry and representatives of regional production and resource centers.
“Keeping the flag high”
– It is important that we hold the flag high for cultural development in Norrbotten, to be an attractive region. The meeting is a natural meeting place for those active in the industry. It is important that film policy is discussed and debated. It is a conversation that needs to be had about how film can be an important part of cultural policy and sustainable development, says Glenn Berggård.
Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand (M) will give the opening speech. Also participating are Amanda Lind (MP), Chair of the Riksdag's Culture Committee, and Lawen Redar, Cultural Policy Spokesperson (S). Anette Novak, CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, and directors Abbe Hassan, Sanna Lenken and Salad Hilowle are also among those who will be present.
- This year's top political meeting is important as there are several current issues on the table, such as ownership and how production incentives are distributed, says Sandra Warg, CEO of Film pool North.
Contact for questions:
Glenn Berggård, regional councilor (V)
glenn.berggard@norrbotten.se