Free Film Commission service
Midgard Film Commission Norway can provide free service and support to professional international projects aiming to shoot in our region. Get in touch with one of our film commissioners for discrete and project aimed service.
1. Matchmaking
We can help you get in touch with possible regional producing partners, service production companies and other high quality film professionals.
2. Financing opportunities
We can help you identify the different financing opportunities available for your production in Norway.
3. Location tours
In addition to providing you with reference images from locations that can match your projects needs, we can arrange location visits and help you get in touch with a location scout in our region. We also cooperate closely with the national and other regional film commissions of Norway to host discretionary and tailored location and familiarisation tours for potential high impact projects.
Film permits
Midgard Film Commission does not issue film permits, but we can provide advice and introductions to the relevant bodies, and we assist with government and community relations for high-impact filming involving major closures. Trøndelag is a film friendly region, and you are met with willingness and a can-do attitude from local authorities.
Permits are not required for minimal-impact shoots in public areas and on uncultivated land. Norway does not have a film ordinance, meaning you do not have to register with or provide information to any government entity. However, other permitting processes might be required depending on the impact of the shoot, such as closing off public areas, road closures, traffic management and motorised transport on uncultivated land.
The "freedom to roam" act allows for easy permit processes when filming outdoors. In general local police and municipalities are very cooperative, and can assist in helping closing down roads and areas for shooting your film.
Filming on private property requires a permit either from the owner or from city authorities. A permit from the police is needed if the filming requires special traffic arrangements (i.e. re-routing or stopping traffic).
Regulations apply for motorized transport (helicopter, snow cats, snow mobiles et.c.) in the wilderness, mountains and national park areas. Allow for some planning time to work out logistics with a line producer or location manager who knows the area. Applications are sent directly to the respective municipalities, and/or to the national parks.
We recommend you engage a locally-based production or location professional to assist with permit applications to relevant authorities, such as the municipality, port authorities, police, road administration, national parks and so forth.
Carnet
To get equipment into Norway you can use an ATA carnet for goods that are only to remain temporarily in Norway. For more information, visit Norwegian Customs.
Responsible filmmaking with Sámi people
Pathfinder – guidelines for responsible filmmaking with the Sámi people and Culture have been released now and you can download the document HERE
The Pathfinder guidelines are a joint initiative from International Sámi Film Institute, the Sámi Filmmakers Association, and the Pathfinder filmmakers reference group.
Film unions and associations
Norwegian Film and TV Producers Association
The Norwegian Film and TV Producers Association comprises approximately 100 independent production companies. Agreements between the Film Workers Association (NFF) and the Producers Association govern crew rates and working conditions. The Producers Association also governs agreements with screenwriters, directors, composers etc.
Norwegian Film Workers Association
The Norwegian Film Workers Association has over 1000 members, technicians and crew from all departments, from film and television production.
The Norwegian Society of Cinematographers (FNF)
Norwegian Actors Equity Association
Norwegian Film Distributor's Association
Usefull links
Different Norwegian SAFETY HOTLINES I www.psykiskhelse.no/hjelpetelefoner-og-nettsteder
Crew directory
Check out our crew and vendor directory.
PS! the directory is under constructions so to find more crew or vendors from the region please get in touch!
Crew ethics
Norwegian filmset are in general smaller than international film set since Norwegian crews are more flate structured and are renowned for high on-set efficiency. We also have a good reputation on being trustworthy Norwegian crews speak fluent English, as do Norwegians in general.
Norwegian crews are committed, flexible, well organised and highly qualified - also on assistant level. Budget-conscious productions can plan for a smaller crew compared to international standards.
For feature films, Norwegian crews are used to a general assembly for all crew (and cast) before principal photography, where a crew representative is elected. A mid and wrap party is expected, and crew members who are engaged on the entire shoot also expect to be invited to the opening / premiere screening in Norway.
Working hours
The regular Norwegian working day is 7.5 hours, excluding 0.5 hours for lunch. Working hours for a feature film shooting day is often extended to 10 hours: 7,5 normal hours, 0,5 hours for lunch and 2 hours at 50% overtime.
The normal work period goes from 6AM to 9PM when working on location. Working night hours, the time between 9PM and midnight is compensated with 50%, and nighttime between midnight and 6AM is compensated with 100%.
Overtime should be compensated as follows:
3 first hours: + 50%
3 next hours: + 100%
For more than 6 hours of overtime: + 200%
Saturdays the first 10 hours is 50%, and the next hours 200%
Sundays the first 10 hours 100%, and the next hours 200%
The turnaround is 10 hours of rest, but less when compensated 200% overtime.
Crew Rates
Rates are daily and vary depending on the experience of the crew (depending on 0, 3, 6 and 10 years experience). Fringes are set at 26% if the crew member is employed, and at 20% if the crew member has her/his own company. Crew members that are members of the Norwegian Film Union will receive an additional 2% pension plan on their fringes.
The Norwegian Film Workers Union sets the recommended minimum wage, which varies from approx NOK 1600 / day to NOK 4400 / day depending on role and experience. Contact us to receive the current rate sheet. We also recommend that you discuss the current rates with your Norwegian co-producer / service producer.
A 2020-comparison by a major production showed that Norwegian crew rates, including fringes and incentives, are significantly lower than for instance UK. But note that this will, of course, fluctuate with currency movements.
Midgard Film Commission has a location database
Please get in touch if:
- you want access to the locations
- want to list your property/ or a location.
There are multiple rental houses offering state-of-the-art equipment.
The main rental houses are based in Oslo
There are Equipment available in the region as well - Get in touch for more information.
Here is a list of film production companies set in our region that can co-produce, with crew and resources that might assist your production:
- Film in Norway, service production, feature film, commercials
- Helmet Films and Visual Effects, feature film, commercials
- Spaett Film, feature film, documentary
- Storyline NOR, feature film
- UpNorth Film, documentary
- Blaane film, feature film
- Herstory, documentary, Tv-drama
- Klipp og lim, feature film, Animation Tv-series, commercials
- Berre, commercials
- Camerat, commercials
- Tagline, commercials, documentary, 2D animation
- TMM productions, TV series, documentary, commercials
- Ekkofilm, Tv-series, Documentary
Post-production companies in our region that can deliver high and professional quality in different departments:
Sound/ Composers
- Ambolt Audio, set sound, sound design, composing
- Syncpoint, Sound design, composing
- Norsk lyd, Sound design, composing
- Øra Studio Recording studio
- Norwegian Film Music Helps with finding composers and recording your score
Postproduction
- Helmet Films and Visual Effects VFX
- Giljotin AS, professional editor Anders Teigen
- Tagline, Color grading, Mastering
- Mancat design, Film poster design
Using Drones in Norway
REGULATIONS
Norway has implemented the EU / EASA regulations for drones. Please visit the Civil Aviation Authority Norway for further information. CAA Norway has also published a useful Guide for flying drones in Norway.
Safe to Fly can be a useful tool for drone operators - a map service which provides relevant data, such as restricted areas, that may affect your use of drones. Please note that national parks require a special permit for drone operations.
Please visit Norway's Civil Aviation Authority for the current regulations and definitions.
Please get in touch with us for more information.
VISA information
Norway is a member of Schengen and the European Economic Area. Norway has VISA exemption agreements with all EU/EEA countries as well as 65 countries outside of the EU, including United States. You do not need a visa to come to Norway for shoots under 90 days, if you are being paid by a non-Norwegian company and from a VISA free country.
Visit the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration for further information, and for a complete list of VISA exempt countries
DOUBLE TAXATION
Norway has signed a number of conventions for the avoidance of double taxation. See a full list here.
VAT (in Norwegian, MVA) is a tax on goods and services. Film Production Companies are not VAT exempt, but goods and services rendered to a non-Norwegian production can be invoiced without VAT.
If your company has incurred VAT in Norway for a non-Norwegian production, and your company is not registered in the Norwegian VAT register, a refund claim can be filed. The Norwegian Tax Authority has an overview of the process here.
Norway is green. Our electricity comes from green hydropower and we have the larges electric car park in the world.
We love our nature and want to share it. But we want to keep it clean for the coming generations. So always remember when working and traveling in Norway:
Respect the nature and the ones who live in it and leave no trace behind.
GREEN TOOLS
Green producers club is a developed in Norway and used by the biggest TV stations in Norway among others. Members of Green Producers Club get access to the Green Producers Tool, our cutting-edge, research-based climate tool that both measures and helps reduce emissions.
Green Filming Consultant
Other Film Commissions in Norway
Norwegian Film Commission (the national office)
Oslo Film Commission (covering the region around the capital city of Oslo)
Western Norway Film Commission (covering the western part of Norway)
Northern Norway Film Commission (covering the north part of Norway).
Eastern Norway Film Commision (covering Innlandet County, Norway)
Midgard Film Commission is a member of
International Sami Film Institute
Norwegian Producers Association
Midgard Film Commission is a member of
Næringsforeningen i Trondheimsregionen