Who do we think we are?
Well, someone once said that NIFF was in-between family and formal - and we kinda loved it. It brings us such joy to make sure that our filmmakers and guests feel special, welcome, seen, all of those things that make us feel really good about ourselves.
At NIFF you get opportunities to network, experience Nordic cuisine and products, watch excellent films, and hopefully make some new friends.
We also take fashion very, very seriously. Not quite a black tie event, we do make sure to dress up and embrace all of the gala that we aspire to be. For our specialty events, every now and then we give not-so-subtle hints on what we envision the evening to be. Just look at what our very own Delia Adkins put together for our secret screening at Hotel Chelsea.
The largest Nordic film festival outside of Europe
With a mission to build bridges between the Nordic region and the international film community, NIFF will go further than your average film festival, encouraging and connecting filmmakers from all over the world.
Our festival
There is no other opportunity as a Nordic filmmaker to be seen the way you’ll be seen at NIFF. We take our mission seriously, and care for the opportunity to showcase the talent that our competing titles present.
Our long-term goal is to become a Nordic Film Market, or rather the Nordic Film Market in North America - to encourage filming in the Nordic region and create a platform for Nordic filmmakers to sell and show their films in the US.
NIFF is at the forefront of the battle for an inclusive film market, proudly following the lead of the Nordic countries - all topping the world’s equality tests. By constantly staying aware of political evolution, both the Bechdel test and the Vito Russo test are taken into consideration when the official selection is made by our programmers.
NIFF’s programmers focus on finding diverse independent films with strong characters and storylines and encourage all filmmakers to submit their films, regardless of ethnicity, religion or worldview.
Our six categories include Nordic and international films, all in competition, and often followed by interesting and informative Q&As with the filmmakers.
NIFF has a year round program, with specialty engagements, secret screenings and pop-up events. We end each festival year with our 5 day festival, closing with a red carpet reception for press and filmmakers and general audience and an award ceremony where we announce our international jury’s decision.
We want to extend a welcome to all of you to Nordic International Film Festival
Background
Based in New York City, founded by the Swedish actors and film producers Linnea Larsdotter and Johan Matton, Nordic International Film Festival (NIFF) has quickly grown to become a cultural element in the competitive film festival landscape.
“What we wanted set out to do was to create a film festival that is truly for the filmmakers. Many out there take advantage of the dreams and ambitions of artists, and we wanted to be the change. Through us, filmmakers has received distribution and been picked up for future festivals. We’re also proud to have played a role in upcoming productions, where collaborators met at one of our events.”
- Linnea Larsdotter
The first event was held during two days in October 2015. Over the years, we have grown to five days, and in addition to our screenings included panels, filmmaker matchmaking - and of course a great afterparty.
Communications Plan
NIFF is a passionate organization, and the team goes through a thoroughly targeted plan to make sure each individual film screening or panel will have as many seats filled as possible. Since the official selection is a cross-breed of international and Nordic co-productions, and some dealing with special interests, the NIFF team creates print and digital material customized to target each and every group individually and uniquely.
Vision
The aim of NIFF is to present quality films to film professionals, film lovers and local, national and international Nordic enthusiasts in an exclusive and attentive setting, in the midst of New York. We strive to find new original content and world premiers. Our vision is to grow into a Nordic Film Market where Nordic and international filmmakers, production and distribution companies come to sell and buy films. We aim to put NIFF on the map as the largest Nordic Market and Nordic Film Festival in the world where we respect and honor work from all over the world but simultaneously open up perspectives to Nordic Film.
Mission Statement
The primary objective of NIFF is to attract a new audience to Nordic films, and as an extension of that, encourage both filmmakers and film lovers to film in or visit the Nordic region.
The secondary objective is to encourage international co-productions between a Nordic filmmaker and an international equivalent.
The third objective is to become an international Nordic film market - helping sell Nordic films for world-wide distribution.
The fourth objective is to become a FIAPF accredited film festival, a process that has been initiated in 2018.
The fifth objective is to become an Oscar qualifying film festival, a process that has been initiated in 2018.
The sixth objective is to provide high quality films at an affordable cost – our tickets are around $10, which is collected by American- Scandinavian Foundation. All filmmakers will always attend any and every screening and event for free. In the long run, we hope to be able to cut all ticket costs, making our films and panels available for all.
Objectives
NIFF's programmers focus on finding diverse independent films with strong characters and storylines and encourage all filmmakers to submit their films, regardless of ethnicity, religion or worldview. One part of our program highlights Nordic classic themes found in old Nordic productions. We welcome and judge all films equally and with great respect and consideration. We ask our filmmakers to please take the Bechdel Test into consideration.
We strive to
Select and screen international and Nordic films of the highest international standard
Partner with Nordic organizations and companies to help promote the Nordic region as a whole
Screen films that encourage a discussion regarding the present political climate
Be a torch in inclusive film making, raising awareness regarding the importance of the arts in a challenging world climate
Create an environment and atmosphere that facilitates in-depth discussion about the films and the social and environmental issues they raise
Encourage the Nordic film community to grow internationally, showing off the beauty of the region in addition to our film talent
Goals
Achieving a 50-50 Male/Female ratio every year
Presenting a diverse slate of filmmakers every year
Goals Achieved
We have attracted the highest quality films, including Oscar nominated filmmakers, Nobel prize winners and star studded casts
We have had successful connections made; creating new films through meetings at the festivals, extending screenings of our films to other festivals and screening opportunities
We have had to expand our original two day festival to a five day festival to accommodate a growing audience and program
We have attracted high-end press coverage, both through our PR and through the efforts of the founders Johan Matton and Linnea Larsdotter, all to help create a megaphone both for the participating filmmakers and for the Nordic region
Create zero non–recyclable waste at the festival
Serve only environmental friendly, vegan food and snacks