NEWS

Copenhagen Film Fund’s primary contributor, the Municipality of Copenhagen, will not grant support to the Danish regional film and TV fund in 2019. The Fund has three investments on its slate ultimo 2018 but will here after not be able to attract international film and TV productions to the capital region. All sails are now set on implementing a Danish production rebate

After five successful years with documented growth and employment in the Danish capital’s film and television industry, the municipality of Copenhagen withdraws its yearly contribution to Copenhagen Film Fund effective from 2019. The Fund will continue to exist throughout 2019 and work towards a national goal but without investment capital.

"It is a shame and hard to grasp that the municipality of Copenhagen chooses to completely abolish its contribution to the Fund, which has so far created growth and employment through investments in films and TV series such as 'The Danish Girl', 'The Bridge', 'Greyzone', 'The House That Jack Built' and many other international productions. Without the Fund’s investments many of these productions would have placed their film shootings elsewhere - without Danish labour and Danish creative skills," says Thomas Gammeltoft, CEO of Copenhagen Film Fund.

Goodbye to creative growth in Copenhagen
Copenhagen Film Fund is not the only initiative that will loose its funding from the municipality of Copenhagen in 2019. Also the gaming organisation Interactive Denmark, Copenhagen Fashion Week and The Innovation House in Copenhagen has been cut from the 2019 budget.

"We are surprised that the municipality chooses to end its contribution to all the creative growth initiatives. Just a few weeks ago, the Danish Government's Creative Growth Team presented its recommendations on how to strengthen growth within creative industries, which gave special attention to film, television and gaming as these industries are prospering - not only in Denmark but throughout the world. On that basis, we had expected the municipality to continue its contribution to the Fund”, Thomas Gammeltoft continues.

The last investments
Before the investment pool runs out in 2019 Copenhagen Film Fund still has a few projects in its pipeline. Among others the large historic BBC mini series ‘Gentleman Jack’, an epic story of the British landowner, Anne Lister, who in the 18^th century pushed boundaries in UK and worldwide being the first Lady living publicly in a relation with a woman. Her story brings her among other places to Copenhagen. Shootings in Copenhagen starts 21st of November.

The Fund will furthermore invest in two additional projects, which are not yet official.

A national business strategy for film, TV and games
Even without investment capital in 2019 Copenhagen Film Fund will continue working towards a national business strategy for the digital visual industry in Denmark. The business strategy shall secure the creative skillset, access to qualified labour and a leading position in the international competition within the Danish film, TV and gaming industry. The centrepiece of the strategy will be a national production rebate for international film, TV and gaming productions placing their projects in Denmark.

“Since the establishment of the film fund, the municipality of Copenhagen has called for the State to contribute economically, similar to almost all countries around us. Almost all European countries have national incentive schemes to attract film, TV and gaming productions that create growth and employment. But now that we finally see the beginning of a national business strategy for our industry, we are naturally surprised that the municipality pulls the plug," says Jørgen Ramskov, chairman of the Board at Copenhagen Film Fund.

The Film Fund’s CEO, Thomas Gammeltoft, fear that Copenhagen and the capital region without a financial incentive could lose its position as center for the film and television industry and driver of growth and innovation, which benefits the entire country.

About Copenhagen Film Fund
Since Copenhagen Film Fund was established in 2013 it has attracted foreign film and TV productions to Greater Copenhagen in order to create growth, employment and branding of the region. The Fund has invested approximately € 10 million in 36 productions, which has resulted in a total estimated consumption of € 40 million in the metropolitan area. In addition, the Fund's yearly investments have contributed with € 5,5 - 10 million to the country's gross national income (GNI) and created 108 to 153 full-time annual employment measured in direct, indirect and inducing effects.

The Fund has invested in productions such as THE KING’S CHOICE, THE DANISH GIRL, THE BRIDGE III & IV, WALLANDER with Kenneth Branagh, GREYZONE, THE WAVE, LUIS AND HIS FRIENDS FROM OUTER SPACE, THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, THE UNTAMED, GENTLEMAN JACK, KRYPTON, MIDNIGHT TEXAS and LONGWAY NORTH.