Denmark and Canada set to expand TV and film coproduction alliance

Canada and Denmark have begun efforts to expand their coproduction treaty for film and television.

Jakob Engel-Schmidt

Nana Reimers

The new treaty seeks to enhance economic and cultural cooperation between Canada and Denmark to the benefit of both their industries.

The existing treaty on film coproduction between the two countries dates from 1997, but the production industry has rapidly developed since then.

Danish Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, said he sees potential in facilitating easier coproductions between Danish producers and their Canadian counterparts.

“My goal is to transform Denmark into a film and TV production power centre,” Engel-Schmidt said.

“Canada is a close and significant ally. We cooperate on defence and climate, and have a strong cultural and value-based community. Additionally, the Kingdom of Denmark and Canada are located close to each other in the Arctic region; it is only natural that we strengthen our ties with Canada, including in film.”

In some countries, an official treaty is necessary for a production to obtain public funding, and treaties such as the one between Denmark and Canada can facilitate collaboration.

“It is intended to benefit everyone from screenwriters and actors to production staff. For example, better opportunities to include film professionals with technical or creative skills from other countries in the production,” the Danish Ministry of Culture said in a statement.

Tine Fischer, managing director of the Danish Film Institute (DFI), said the DFI considers Canada a valuable partner for collaboration.

Fischer cited recent examples of Danish-Canada collaboration, including The Kindness of Strangers by Lone Scherfig, Twice Colonized by Lin Alluna, and most recently, the Oscar-nominated feature The Apprentice by Ali Abbasi.

“Canada’s production support system resembles European systems, and Canada is oriented in many ways towards Europe regarding film policy,” said Fischer.