Exploring Nordic Genre: A Look at the Selected Feature Film Projects for the Inaugural Edition of the Nordic Genre Lab
The Nordic Genre Lab has selected eight feature film projects for its inaugural edition, including the Swedish thriller Trespassers. The film follows four young people from a failed anti-establishment movement who find themselves stranded in Northern Sweden after a river rafting accident. Directed by Johannes Persson and written by Persson and Melina Maraki, the horror-thriller explores their discovery that they are not alone in the wilderness.
The selection process for the Nordic Genre Lab involved 29 applications, with the final eight projects chosen by a committee consisting of producer and consultant Claire Willats, journalist and genre specialist Todd Brown, and Norwegian producer Einar Loftesnes. The Lab is a training and networking program for genre feature films in development from the Nordic countries, set to take place during the Finnish Film Affair on September 24-25.
The selected projects cover a wide range of genre filmmaking, from folk horror in the Faroe Islands to dystopian survival thrillers in Norway, and from animated psychological horror to dark political satire in Finland. The Lab will offer mentoring, pitch training, workshops, and a live pitching competition to an industry jury, with support from the Nordisk Kulturfond.
Among the selected projects are Alma from Finland, Echo Chamber, Linden Lane 6, Long Way Home from Norway, Sauna Diplomacy, The Evil Eye from Denmark, Trespassers from Sweden, and Whistler from the Faroe Islands. Each project brings a unique and engaging perspective to the genre film landscape, promising to captivate audiences with their storytelling and creativity.
The Nordic Genre Lab is excited to work with these talented teams and help them develop their projects for international audiences. The Lab aims to provide a platform for genre filmmakers in the Nordic region to showcase their skills and creativity, fostering a community of genre talent in the North. With a diverse range of projects selected for the inaugural edition, the Lab is poised to make a significant impact on the genre film industry in the region.