Following up on a session from last years Carl Film Forum, this session will explore the making of the 2024 Christmas drama about the 1981 Soviet submarine incident in Karlskrona. Directed by Björn Stein, the series was partially filmed in Karlskrona and Vilnius.  A production with a huge opportunity to promote the region globally. It can attract an international audience, raise awareness of Karlskrona, and boost tourism around the submarine incident, showcasing its rich history and culture.
A sneak-peak?

In Swedish

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Without further ado, we continue with a demo from Istudios Visuals, showcasing the capabilities of Sweden’s largest permanent virtual production facility based on LED-technology, VPSL. After the demo, a panel features:

• Henrik Svilling Creative Director at Istudios Visuals, discussing virtual production techniques and real-world applications in film and TV.
• Tobias Larsson Professor at Blekinge Institute of Technology, highlighting how VPSL integrates research, education, and innovation to advance digital media technologies.
• Andrea Nordwall Lecturer at Blekinge Institute of Technology, on the topic of capturing real-world environment using cutting-edge techniques and transform them into a digital scene.

This session combines a practical demo with an in-depth discussion on how VPSL is pushing the boundaries of digital production and fostering collaboration between academia and industry​​​.

Join Chris Couzens from Sony Pro (UK) as he shares a global perspective on the latest innovations in virtual production technology, offering valuable insights to complement the domestic discussions from previous sessions. Couzens, who has been instrumental in projects like Sony’s Digital Media Production Centre in the UK, will explore how international advancements in virtual production are transforming filmmaking globally.

Will international advancements in virtual production shape Sweden’s film industry, or could Sweden’s emerging innovations play a role on the global stage?

In English

Join producer Alexander Rönnberg as he visits Blekinge for a one-day shoot related to the upcoming TV series adaptation of Mats Strandberg’s novel Färjan, set to premiere on SVT in 2025. The production features a talented cast, including Björn Bengtsson, Jessica Grabowsky, Tuppence Middleton, and Kolbjörn Skarsgård. In this session, we’ll explore what factors could have made this production more appealing to film in Sweden and discuss the exciting developments surrounding this adaptation.

In Swedish

Join Todd Brown, Head of International Acquisitions at XYZ Films, and Fanny Heinonen, Program Director at Film Tampere, as they discuss how Finland has become a competitive destination for global film and TV productions. Drawing from Finland’s success, this session will explore strategies and incentives that could help Sweden better position itself to attract international productions and strengthen its film industry on a global scale.

In English

In this insightful session, producers Piodor Gustafsson, Christian Wikander, and Madeleine Ekman come together to discuss strategies from a Swedish perspective for making Sweden a more attractive destination for international film and TV productions. Drawing from their extensive industry experience, they will explore what it takes to compete globally, the role of incentives, and how Sweden can increase its presence on the international production map.

In Swedish

Martina Eriksdotter, Program Developer at Lindholmen Science Park, will introduce the Creative Nexus Program, designed to foster innovation and sustainable growth in the creative industries. This session will explore how the program supports creative talents, promotes technological advancements, and drives long-term development within Sweden’s creative sector.

In Swedish

Olle Tholén, meet producer and co-founder of the film collective Crazy Pictures in Norrköping.

Ralf Ivarsson, CEO of Film i Skåne, takes the stage to provide an overview of the latest developments in the southern Sweden film industry. He will share insights on upcoming projects, regional initiatives, and how Film i Skåne is supporting the growth of both local and international productions in the region.

In Swedish

Join Sophia Ahlin, Regional Council of Finance in Blekinge, and Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben, project manager for Filmnod Blekinge, as they discuss the current state and future of the film industry in Blekinge. This session will cover ongoing initiatives, investments, and how the region is positioning itself as a key player in the domestic and international film landscape. Discover the developments and opportunities that are shaping the future of film production in Blekinge.

In Swedish

Join us for a brief conversation with journalist Jan Lumholdt, where he will share insights from his long career as a film journalist. We will discuss his thoughts on the Swedish film industry and its current state, as well as the ongoing efforts to shape the film region of Blekinge.

In Swedish

As we wrap up the first day of this year’s Carl Film Forum, moderator Karin Hübinette will engage with Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben, the project manager of Filmnod Blekinge, Blekinge’s regional film commissioner, and the executive producer of the forum. Together, they will reflect on the highlights and discussions from today, sharing insights gained and setting the stage for what lies ahead in the coming days.

In Swedish

Join us as we explore the exciting concept of the Film Factory in Blekinge, a hub aimed at ensuring continuity of production and building capacity within the film workforce. In this first part, Paul Blomgren DoVan, founder of Gothenburg Film Studios, and Christian Wikander, an experienced producer and newly appointed chairman of the Swedish Professional Board for Film and TV, will discuss the unique opportunities presented by our studio space. They will also address the challenges we face in creating a sustainable production environment.

In Swedish

In this session, we meet Georgios Dimitropoulos from Swansea University, UK. He is an award-winning film director, producer, and academic who has founded and incubated several companies in the creative industries, receiving numerous awards for his work. Georgios will discuss his efforts to build film and TV studios where academia and industry collaborate to create conditions for growth. He will also share his insights on fostering innovation and his connection to Blekinge.

In this session, we delve into the essential skills and competencies required to sustain a thriving film industry in Blekinge. How do we cultivate this talent, and how do we ensure that it meets high standards? Joining us are Lisa Boldt-Christmas, Director of Research and Development at Hyper Island, and Andrea Nordwall, Program Director of Digital Visual Production at Blekinge Institute of Technology. Additionally, Charlotte Gimfalk, Managing Director of the Swedish Professional Board for Film and TV, will join us via link to share her insights on validating industry competencies.

During the Venice Film Festival, the second part of Film i Västs report series, Public Film Funding at a Crossroads, titled All That Is Solid Melts Into Air, was presented. This unique pan-European report analyzes the future purpose and relevance of public film and audiovisual policy. Join Tomas Eskilsson, founder of Film i Väst and current Head of Analysis, as he discusses the key findings and implications of the report, along with his insights from the ongoing national film policy review initiated by the government. This review aims to address industry challenges, including technological advancements and changing audience behaviors, and Tomas is part of the expert group assisting in this important work.

To enrich the discussion, Tomas Eskilsson will be joined by Christian Wikander, an experienced producer and newly appointed chairman of the Swedish Professional Board for Film and TV; Madeleine Ekman, an experienced producer and former film consultant at the Swedish Film Institute; and Todd Brown, Head of International Acquisitions and partner at XYZ Films.

A longer break with a baugette is served. 

The larger lunch is set at 14.00

Join us for a brief interview with Victor von Schirach, a talented actor who studied theater at Blekinge County Folk High School and has been active in the Aspö Writing Lab. Victor is currently starring in the Prime Video and TV4 Play series Those About to Die. In this session, we’ll discuss Victor’s journey in the performing arts, his connection to Blekinge, and his thoughts on the region’s ambitions to become a film hub.

Join us as we welcome Noël Magis, founder and CEO of Screen.Brussels, who will share insights about the film fund and how they have built a creative ecosystem in Brussels. He will discuss the strategies that have fostered growth and innovation within the film industry. Marie Björck, Innovation Leader at Blue Science Park in Karlskrona, will join the conversation to explore how creative sectors, such as the film industry, can drive societal growth and development.

Join us for a conversation with Sophia Ahlin, Regional Finance Councillor of Region Blekinge, and Bengt Jönsson, Municipal Councillor of Karlskrona Municipality. They will share their vision for Blekinge following the conclusion of the Filmnod Blekinge project at the end of the year. What comes next for the region, and will there be more editions of Carl Film Forum?

As we conclude the second and final day of this year’s Carl Film Forum, moderator Karin Hübinette will engage with Henrik JP Åkesson Ruben, the project manager of Filmnod Blekinge, Blekinge’s regional film commissioner, and the executive producer of the forum. Together, they will reflect on the events of the past two days and discuss what lies ahead.

In Swedish

On stage:

Charlotta Denward, Madeleine Ekman, Martin Persson and Piodor Gustafsson. Moderated by Julia Gebauer.

EAVE participants share their insights and initatives on stage.

On stage: Espinar Gabriel

On stage:

Maciej  Zemojcin
Katarzyna Stegnerska

Join Andrea Nordwall from Blekinge Institute of Technology for a 15-minute demo on cutting-edge techniques for accelerating virtual environment creation, such as 3D Gaussian Splatting and Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs). Capturing real-world environment and transform them into a digital scene, seamlessly integrating it into Virtual Production. Experience how these technologies are revolutionizing digital environments for film and TV production.

On Stage: Chris Couzens, Sony Pro