British and Norwegian Film Commissions sign deal to boost filming collaboration

The British Film Commission (BFC) and the Norwegian Film Commission (NFC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in an effort to bolster the collaboration between the UK and the Norwegian screen industries, as well as facilitate film and high-end TV production between the two territories.

Through today’s MoU, the BFC and the NFC seek to encourage greater cultural, commercial and creative exchange between the UK and Norway whilst working together to establish opportunities to support inward investment film and high-end TV production in both countries. This agreement also highlights the film commissions’ commitment to facilitating a film-friendly service which supports productions working in both territories.

The agreement was signed today (2 November) in Oslo and presided over by the Norwegian minister of trade and industry Jan Christian Vestre, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway Richard Wood, CEO of Innovation Norway Håkon Haugli, and director of the Norwegian Film Institute Kjersti Mo.

The UK and the Norwegian screen industries are excelling, as both territories continue to attract an increased number of major productions through the combination of reliable tax incentives, crew and infrastructure and a variety of unique locations.

Both countries have recently played host to major blockbuster films and TV titles in recent years, including: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (Paramount, 2023), No Time to Die (MGM/Universal/Eon, 2021), Black Widow (Marvel, 2021), Tenet (Warner Bros. 2020), The Postcard Killings (Good Films Collective, 2020), The Innocents (Netflix, 2018) and more.

Adrian Wootton OBE, chief executive of the British Film Commission, said: “We’re delighted to be building on our fantastic relationship with the Norwegian Film Commission through this new friendship agreement. It is an exciting time for the global film and high-end TV industry. With the demand for content increasing, continuing to provide opportunities for growth around the globe, strong European ties such as between the UK and Norway remain vital to the success of our screen industries.

“We’ve already seen successful collaborations between the UK and Norway on world-class titles such as Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning, No Time To Die and Black Widow. With today’s agreement, we are committed to continuing our positive and fruitful work with our Norwegian friends, forging even stronger relationships between our two countries to ensure a frictionless and film-friendly service for productions working in both territories.”

Meghan Beaton, chief Executive of the Norwegian Film Commission added: “The global film and high-end TV industry is experiencing such phenomenal growth, unbelievable technological advances, new platforms, expanding markets, audiences craving unique stories. The BFC has played a vital role in the stunning growth of the screen industry in the UK, and the UK is a key trading partner for Norway across a swathe of industries. 

“We look forward to building further our relationship, fostering opportunities, taking advantage of complementary traits, and supporting growth across our territories and in the global screen industry.  As fellow national commissions our mandates and missions are aligned. Today, we celebrate the strengthening of our already fruitful relationship, confident that strong European collaboration is the key to our shared and continued success.”