Kvarken Film Hub Strengthens the Industry and Invests in Sustainable Film Production
The collaborative project Kvarken Film Hub, launched in autumn 2025, aims to develop and strengthen the film and TV industry in the Kvarken region. The project is part of the Interreg Aurora programme and builds on previous initiatives in both Finland and Sweden. The project involves Film i Västerbotten, the Kvarken Council, and Novia University of Applied Sciences.
A Shared Vision for the Region
The goal of Kvarken Film Hub is to create a vibrant and sustainable film industry in Ostrobothnia and Västerbotten, with the long-term ambition of becoming a strong partner across the entire Aurora area, which includes northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
“We want to build our regions so they can serve as a natural hub for collaboration in film and TV across northern Scandinavia,” says Andreas Westerberg from Novia University of Applied Sciences.
The project focuses on skills development, networking, and concrete actions to support industry growth. An important objective is also to improve conditions for co-productions and cross-border collaboration.
Focus on Sustainable Film Production
As part of the initiative, training sessions and events are being planned. In the autumn, a training programme will be held in Umeå focusing on sustainable film production. It will cover the new Nordic standard for environmental sustainability in audiovisual productions, NES, which is becoming increasingly important for industry funding. NES stands for Nordic Ecological Standard.
Audiovisual productions generate high carbon emissions and consume significant resources.
“A large share of these emissions can be avoided by introducing more environmentally friendly production systems that save energy and materials,” says Simon Staffans from Novia.
For this reason, a coalition of Nordic public service broadcasters, producer organizations, film institutes, regional film funds, and other stakeholders has agreed on a common standard for audiovisual productions. NES is based on German and Austrian ecological standards introduced in 2022.
Long-term Structures and Networks
Kvarken Film Hub brings together stakeholders from Finland and Sweden and collaborates with relevant organizations and networks to connect industry professionals with decision-makers and contribute to regional development.
“The project also works on developing structures that will continue beyond the project period, which runs until August 2028. One example is the ambition to create a platform or organization that can function as a long-term hub for film professionals in the region,” says Sofia Sundholm from Novia.
The project is expected to contribute to increased collaboration, competence, and competitiveness within the film and TV industry across the entire Kvarken region.
Funding is provided by Interreg Aurora, Region Västerbotten, and the Regional Council of Lapland.
Read more: https://www.novia.fi/en/rdi/our-projects/kvarken-film-hub
Photo: Albin Ljungqvist.
Updated 9.4.2026: the training programme will be arranged in the autumn, not in May as mentioned earlier.