NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS KICK OFF IN APRIL & IN MAY IN ALL THE NORDIC COUNTRIES

The 6th Northern Script is looking for Nordic youth between 18-29 years of age interested in scriptwriting. The Northern Script includes for the first time all the Nordic countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Åland Islands, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Sápmi/Samiland. 

Earlier experience of scriptwriting is not required. Instead we value personality, creativity and courage! 

The Finnish scriptwriting workshops will be held April 22nd & May13th 2022. The place of the lecture & dialogical film discussion will happen this year inside the legendary Film Theater, ORION, in the center of Helsinki. The Finnish workshop lecturers are multi-talented Mette Lagerstam and Elina Vitkala from IhmeFilmi ry. 

The registration for the Finnish workshops starts w.e.f. 1st of April @ the following address nosi@mediametka.fi  – Be fast as there are only a limited number of seats available!

More information about the Finnish workshops and the other Nordic workshops can be found from LOCAL WORKSHOPS -part here in the Northern Script Web Page. Stay tuned as we will publish new information on a weekly basis about the local workshops in the Nordic countries!

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Northern Script culminates in a one-week-long scriptwriting camp in Northern Finland in November 2022!! The camp is totally FREE for the finalists. The Transportation, Food, Accommodation, International workshops and VIP Tickets to the Oulu Festivals are included. In addition the finalists will get to participate in a Group Short Film Scriptwriting -programme. All the Northern Script Short Films will be shown at the end of the Oulu Festivals in front of a live audience!

Are you interested in the Northern Script -project? Need more information about how to participate in the Northern Script Writing Camp during Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film festival in November 2022? Write directly to us at nosi(a)mediametka.fi and we will get right back to you!

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Northern Script is a Nordic Short Film Script Writing Event which aims to network aspiring storytellers & scriptwriters across the Nordic countries. The Northern Script is open for 18-29 year old Nordic youth living in the following regions: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Åland islands, Denmark, Iceland, Faroe islands, Greenland and Sápmi – Samiland.

2.12.2022It’s been little over a week since the young Nordic scriptwriters returned from the Northern Script Camp from the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival and what an incredible week we had there!!! STORYTELLING WITH THE HELP OF A GAME CALLED ‘A WEREWOLF’ From the very first evening the participants hit it off and made true connections with each other. Rebekka Rut Svasdottir, a Northern Script finalist from Iceland made quite an entrance to the camp by introducing a fun storytelling game called ‘Werewolf. The ‘Werewolf’ game’ got all the camp participants to relax and get to know each other through storytelling, fantasy, imagination AND a lot of humor. The game settled the spirit of the camp from the very early on and got everyone out of their shells to trust one another in a welcoming mood. THREE NORDIC SHORT FILMS This year the Northern Script made history as we collaborated for the first time ever with the local Film students of OSAO Vocational College, from Oulu Finland. Young Nordic scriptwriters from all over the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland & Faroe Islands) wrote together three short films with the help of their mentor, a Finnish professional scriptwriter, Milla Tuokkola. During the writing process, the writers were in contact with the local Film students who made the casting, edited & shot the short films.  Once the camp started, the Nordic writers and the Finnish Film students finally met each other for real and got to see the modern facilities of the OSAO Media department in Oulu, Finland. At the OSAO school the Nordic writers & the local film makers made an introduction video of themselves and the writers followed a bit of the raw cut editing process of the short films as well. SCRIPTWRITING WORKSHOPS BY NORDIC TALENTS Most of the camp relied on the scriptwriting workshops held by magnificent Faroese film director Andrias Høgenni and the excellent Icelandic actress and scriptwriter Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir.  Andrias Høgenni Andrias Høgenni is a Faroese film director who moved to Denmark in 2009. He graduated from Super16 in 2018, and his thesis-film “Ikki illa meint” won the Canal+ Award for best short film at Semaine de la Critique in the Cannes 2019 festival. It also won the Danish Academy Award (Robert) for best short film the same year. He has since directed two Tv-series for Danmarks Radio. The latest one being “Ingen vej tilbage”, which premiered on DRTV in 2022 Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir  Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir is an Icelandic actress and scriptwriter, working both on stage and screen since her graduation from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Kolbrún Anna co-founded and ran two independent theatre companies: Theatre of the Republic and Ekka Dance Theatre, the latter pioneering in dance theatre in Iceland.  Kolbrún Anna has been working as a teacher in addition to her work as an artist and is currently the Head of Acting and Movement at the Icelandic Film School. She is also a published author of children’s fiction and educational materials. Kolbrún Anna recently wrote and acted in the 8-part TV-drama FRACTURES, airing in 2022, based on her original idea. The series was co-written with Vala Thorsdottir and co-created with Vala Thorsdottir and Eva Sigurdardottir. — The Northern Script workshops focused both on the theory of storytelling and the character creation as well as practical exercises about feedback and pitching. One of the most memorable exercises was given at the end of the camp when the participants were asked to go outside to the snowy streets of Oulu to observe people and choose one person to write a fictional character analysis. Once back inside the participants in pairs of two had to create a story where two of these fictional characters met. All the stories created by the finalists turned out to be really fascinating and it was a perfect way to teach in a practical way about character creation and its importance in a story. DIVERSITY IN FILMS On Friday, Venla Hellstedt, a Finnish producer from Tuffi Films, came to hold a lecture about the scripts with diversity and about the presentation on the films. Hellstedt really got the participants to talk freely about the subject. In the end it was concluded that as much as diversity is in everyone’s lips at the moment in the film industry-  it can be considered quite multidimensional and there are no easy answers. I think many participants got the feeling that whilst acknowledging the diversity issues in the scripts of today, at the end of the day you just have to believe in your story and stay true to yourself no matter what. PEHKOLA SAUNA EVENING Besides the scriptwriting workshops, the participants of the camp got nearly VIP treatment by the Oulu Film Festival. Each Northern Script finalist got VIP tickets to the Oulu Film festival and also invitations to some VIP Film events. One of the high points of the week was certainly our trip by bus to Pehkola Sauna which was situated in the middle of a thick forest and pure white snow. After our arrival to Pehkola, we all got to taste the most delicious salmon soup and afterwards to bathe with the international film directors, scriptwriters and producers in the guest saunas. In the mist of the sauna – everyone feels equal. Therefore the communication between the professionals of the film industry and the Northern Script finalists was absolutely genuine and effortless. OULU FILM FESTIVAL Northern Script camp is always held at the same time as the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival. Each year the festival organizes some film screenings for the Northern Script finalists. This year was no exception. First we were invited to view a long feature film called, Freeskate,  by Roope Olenius and scriptwriter Veera W. Vilo. The idea for the script came from Vilo’s own past in the world of gymnastics. The script wanted to show the brutal and somewhat impossible requirements of the sports industry towards young girls. Some of the scenes were brutal to watch but important to see. The side role by Finnish actress,Leena Uotila, was spot on. Afterwards the finalists were given a chance to ask multiple questions from both the director and the scriptwriter. In the evening we were invited to watch a new children’s film ‘Detective Agency Henkka & Kivimutka’ by directors Väinö Weckström and Jarkko Felin. The script was based on the book series by Kalle Vierto. It was delightful to see such a colorful and truly well done Finnish children’s film with a positive message. At the end of the Northern Script camp, the whole audience of the Oulu Film Festival, the Northern Script finalists & the local OSAO Film students were all invited to a first ever screening of the three common Nordic Short Films. The films were written by the Nordic Northern Script finalists together in small groups and shot & edited by the local OSAO Film students. Each of the project participants got diplomas of the hard work they had done during the autumn 2022 in front of the live audience in the Valve Cultural Centre. Hopefully these diplomas will help the participants in their search to pursue a career in the film industry.  GROWING PAINS (Emma Finot (DE), Ester Högberg (SE) & Mimmi Riikonen (FI) A WARMING REMEMBRANCE (Brage Grindeland (NO), Kjetil Heimdall-Handen (NO), Anna Hirvi (FI) & Khali Hashi (DE) SCARF (Rebekka Rut Svansdóttir (IS), Kerttu Pakkasvirta (FI), Sølvi Næs Hoydal (FO) The short films dealt with themes and topics such as compulsion, otherworldly & regret. Each of the three short films were well scripted and surprisingly well edited & shot. Keeping in mind that all the people involved in this project are still aspiring filmmakers, the end result was amazingly good. The fact that these young people were able to put it together and evoke real emotions among the audience in such a short and tight time schedule, I can’t but applause to them all !! A FAREWELL PARTY – A NIGHT TO REMEMBER At the end of the whole one-week-long Northern Script Camp, both the Northern Script finalists & the local OSAO Film students were invited for a common Nordic farewell party at the Turusen Saha which worked as the finalist’s accommodation and workshops place throughout the week. There in the big dining room, the lights were dimmed and decorations were put out for a big party. In my own end speech the tears were near as all the emotions concerning this project came through. All the proudness of these young aspiring scriptwriters, the true connections they made in the camp and the collaboration with the local Film students made me full of joy and happiness. After the tears, we put karaoke on and it turned out that scriptwriters and filmmakers can actually be really good singers as well. The prize for the best performance of the evening goes to Sølvi Næs Hoydal from the Faroe Islands whose imitation of Johnny Cash might just be better than the real version itself!! The more we sang – the more it became true that this one-week-long-camp had made us all, the workshop leaders, the producers and the finalists real friends – friends who you can reach out to in different times of your life. That connection is something beautiful and I can’t wait where these aspiring Nordic scriptwriters will go in their film career in the future and what kind of possible collaborations might happen in the Nordic Film Industry because of the Northern Script 2022. Only time will tell. Written by the Producer of the Northern Script 2022, Johanna Lappalainen — Northern Script 2022 was funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, Mediametka ry, Nordic Culture Point, and Nordisk kulturfond with the help of the Nordic Northern Script Partners [...] Read more...
4.11.2022This year Northern Script started something spectacular.  With the help of the two cultural fundings by Nordic Culture Point and Nordic Kulturfond, Northern Script was able to spread its workshops all over the Nordic countries reaching young people in faraway places such as the Faroe Islands, Iceland and the Sapmi community. Besides the Nordic workshops, the project was able to start a completely new activity – Nordic Group Scriptwriting.  A Nordic Group Scriptwriting consists of all the 10 selected Northern Script finalists who together in small groups write remotely three Short Film Scripts with the help of a Finnish mentor. Each aspiring scriptwriter is located in another Nordic country and they were each given a theme from which to select their best script idea. With the help of a Professional Finnish scriptwriter, Milla Tuokkola, each group is given a lecture, a verbal feedback & a written feedback. Each group also receives short feedback from the Nordic workshop leaders. Milla Tuokkola In her lecture ‘Writer’s rooms aka how to write in a group’ Milla describes the group scriptwriting in a captivating and funny way. Milla used a lot of her own experience working in both England and the United States as a great example of group scriptwriting dynamics. She also gave the Northern Script finalists tips on how to start writing in a team, keywords being dedicating time to know each other, mutual trust & good communication.  Although writing in a team has just started to land in Nordic countries, it is still much more popular in the United Stated where several sitcoms and TV-series are written in teams. Milla Tuokkola has been writing in a writers’ room for the Finnish TV for some time now and it feels the best way for her to work at the moment. According to Tuokkola: ‘What you write together will always be better than what you could write alone. Always.’ It is obvious that the group scriptwriting is coming towards the Nordic countries for the TV series, sitcoms and films. The more the young Nordic scriptwriters get to practice these group scriptwriting skills, the better equipped they will be for the Nordic & Global TV- and Film Industry. The three common Nordic Films will be written by the Northern Script finalists during autumn 2022 and they will be shot and edited by the OSAO Vocational College students in Oulu in November 2022. The finalists had their first Pre production Meeting with the Oulu Film College students 2nd of November and it looks like that the scripts and the storyboards are coming along well. I already have goosebumps when reading these young scriptwriters’ common scripts and can’t wait to see the end results on the screen later this month.  All the Short Films will be shown at the end of the Oulu International Children’s & Youth Film Festival 19th of November in Valvesali between 2pm -3pm. More information about Oulu International Children’s & Youth Film Festival https://www.oulufilmfestival.fi/en/home/      [...] Read more...
4.11.2022Brage Norløff Grindeland, 23 (NO) My name is Brage Norløff Grindeland and I am a 23-year-old student from Stavanger, Norway. I applied for this year’s Northern Script Competition because I and fellow co-writer Kjetil submitted the year before and became one of the finalists back then. This experience was so great that it motivated me (us) to continue this year as well.  I have worked with scripts for a long time, being an actor at the local children theatre (The Children and Youth Theatre at Rogaland Theatre) in Stavanger. I already started writing back then, but my great fascination for screenwriting didn’t really emerge before I started studying directing and being able to work alongside Kjetil. At this moment I am in my last year of a bachelor’s degree of a director studies. I have also during this time been fortunate enough to shoot a short film, which will be finished early next year. [...] Read more...
3.11.2022Mimmi Riikonen, 22 (FI) My name is Mimmi Riikonen and I’m a 22 year old student from Finland. I’ve wanted to apply for Northern Script for a long time… but I suck at planning, and so I’ve always ended up forgetting to write a script before the application time closes. This year I took it as a mission to not forget – and here I am!  I’ve alwys loved writing (however cliché that is). Ever since I knew how to tap buttons on my mom’s computer’s keyboard I’ve written short stories, poems, scripts, essays… anything goes! I’m currently studying at a film school and working as an screenwriting intern for a reality television show. On my freetime I sing, occasionally work out, play Pokémon on Nintendo and dream about publishing a book. (Someday I might even actually start writing it. We’ll see.) [...] Read more...
2.11.2022Emma Finot, 21 (DE) I applied to Northern Script because I love writing and I think it is a great stepping stone for young writers to try out the craft and get to learn from real experience! I have experience from writing fiction, poems and short stories, but I have only been writing scripts on a hobby level as of so far. I do not have any previous Film Studies experience, but hope to get to study Film Production & Writing in Aarhus next year! [...] Read more...
28.10.2022Inuk Jørgensen, an award-winning short film writer/director from Greenland, gave a short lecture to the Northern Script Youth Committee on Wednesday evening (26th of October) and he was very welcomed by the members of the Youth Committee.  Inuk works and lives in Sweden as the Head of the film department of Nordiska folkhögskolan but he is a Greenlandic inuit and very proud and aware of his inuit roots. In his lecture he talked about the importance of telling a short film story by using a personal approach in them. We are all unique persons with different stories to be told.  According to Inuk, the more personal the story is- the more interesting it gets. He used his own short film –’In the shadow of the Tugtupite’ (2020) as an example of a short story. The film explores the beauty of Greenland, while questioning the extractive industries taking from these lands and worrying about the long term effects of these harmful activities. The Film has been awarded in many Film festivals all over the world and it touches subjects such as: human rights, Nordic, historical, local vs global, colonisation, geopolitics, history, arctic and indigenous peoples of Greenland. In his short film Inuk doesn’t want to point any fingers but he does tell the story from the inuit point of view and from his own point of view.  The location of the film is Inuk’s own home village where he grew up and therefore the story has a very personal twist in it. Inuk also uses the greenlandic folktales in his short film and pointed out to us that the Inuit folklore doesn’t view the world the same way as the Western world. Greenlandic folk tales actually don’t have individual heroes but instead it is the community who is the hero. All the way through his lecture Inuk kept emphasizing the importance of personality in the short stories and the Nordic unique way of telling the stories. As we cannot compete with Hollywood with big budgets – we should instead focus on the Nordic perspective and the unique Nordic way of telling our stories. According to Inuk, personal stories written from your own background in mind are always interesting for the viewer.  After listening Inuk talking to us on Wednesday and watching his Greenlandic short film, I can see the big personal touch he indeed has put on his short film.  Inuk ended his lecture by saying ‘Short Films are perfect to carry on a feeling’. I hope the new generation of Nordic scriptwriters will take the torch forward regarding Inuk’s message about carrying feelings with their short stories and continue to write Nordic stories which touch the viewer deeply inside.  — Northern Script camp is held this year during the Oulu International Children’s & Youth Film Festival 14th-20th of November in Oulu, Finland. Check out our web pages regarding the scriptwriting camp. New information coming soon!   [...] Read more...
28.10.2022Rebekka Rut Svansdóttir, 22 (IS) I went to the Icelandic film school. Majoring in Directing and Screenwriting. So I have written many scripts. In my school there was a lecture about Screenwriting where the Nordic Script competition was introduced. I applied because I have learnt to take every opportunity that comes up. I graduated from the Icelandic Film school last June after two years of studying. [...] Read more...
27.10.2022Sølvi Næs Hoydal, 19 (FO) My name is Sølvi, and I am 19 years old living in the Faroe Islands. Filmmaking is a big passion of mine, and I greatly enjoy telling stories. I am planning on taking an education in scriptwriting, because writing the screenplay is perhaps the most fun part of the filmmaking process.  A film is nothing without a story, and getting to decide how the story unfolds, and how the characters progress, is very exciting.  I’m excited to be Northern Script finalist 2022 and part of the Northern Script Youth Committee! [...] Read more...
26.10.2022Anna Hirvi, 25 (FI) Age: 25 Pronouns: they/them Country: Finland I applied for Northen Script due to wanting more experience and confidence in my writing. I’m currently finishing my Bachelor Film & TV studies at Metropolia University of Applied Science, but I still feel there’s much to learn. Luckily I have managed to be a part of some amazing projects as a screenwriter already. One of the most notable being a project called Demoiselle, which was a collaboration project with Finnish National Theatre’s Youth Group. [...] Read more...
25.10.2022Khali Hashi, 22, (DK) My name is Khali Hashi and I’m a 22-year-old aspiring screenwriter from Denmark. I applied to the Northern Script after hearing about it close to the deadline and saw making it in time as a way to challenge myself and my writing. My creative writing experience started when I spent one semester at Filmhøjskolen Møn and realized I just had to be a screenwriter. I’ve had short experience in Tv- writing from being part in the development of a Tv- show.   [...] Read more...
24.10.2022Kjetil Heimdall-Hansen, 23 (NO) My name is Kjetil Heimdall-Hansen. I’m a 23 year old student, scriptwriter and director living in Oslo, Norway. I’m currently finishing my bachelors degree in film directing, where I met my screenwriting partner, Brage N. Grindeland.  Nowadays I primarily write and direct with Brage, and we have several exciting projects in development, but I’ve been writing and making films for as long as I can remember. My childhood was defined by watching old classic movies with my dad, and running around in the woods with my cousins, shooting films with an old video camera. Though I waited quite a while before actively pursuing a filmmaking career, I am now dedicating all my time and energy into improving as much as possible both as a writer and director. I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities to learn, and Northern Script has given me the perfect chance to do just that.  [...] Read more...
21.10.2022Ester Högberg, 19 (SWE) My name is Ester, I am 18 years old and live in Malmö, Sweden. I am currently in my last year of studying a filmmaking program at upper secondary school. In the future I hope to continue studying film and hopefully pursue a career in the field. I got introduced to Northern Script through my teacher and instantly knew that I wanted to apply. Writing has always been a great interest of mine and scriptwriting is probably my favorite part of the filmmaking process. I am very excited to participate in the Northern Script writing camp and to get the opportunity to further develop my writing! [...] Read more...
20.10.2022Kerttu Pakkasvirta, 25 (FI) I am Kerttu Pakkasvirta, 25, from Finland. I applied to Northern Script because I wanted some professional scriptwriting experience and an opportunity to develop my personal scriptwriting skills. Creative writing has been a part of my life since I was a child, but recently through my studies I am getting more practice also on scriptwriting.  I have also participated in creative writing courses. I heard from the Northern Script from my teacher and immediately got interested. I study audiovisual media culture in the university of Lapland, where I have participated in filmmaking from scriptwriting short films to directing, acting and producing in student productions. Theatre has also been a dear hobby to me throughout my life.   [...] Read more...
7.9.2022The Year 2022 was phenomenal as Northern Script got more scripts from the Nordic countries than ever before in our history. Over 60 scripts were sent to the Northern Script Jury in different Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Faroe Islands) by the talented Nordic storytellers. This year’s theme was ‘Temptation’ and the theme was shown in the scripts literally, symbolically and some from an emotional perspective.  Congratulations to all the Northern Script finalists and to all of you who took the initiative and wrote us a script this year. You are all very much valued!! Each participant will receive feedback on your script during this autumn. Year 2022 finalists are: Mimmi Riikonen  (Ei tippa tapa) FINLAND Anna Hirvi  (Release it) FINLAND Kerttu Pakkasvirta (Varas Ikkunassa) FINLAND Ester Melin Högberg (Katten och Musen) SWEDEN Brage Grindeland  & Kjetil-Heimdall Hansen (Unwanted) NORWAY Emma Finot (Strike) DENMARK  Khali Hashi (Det er sidste gang) DENMARK Rebekka Rut Svansdóttir (Rapture) ICELAND Sølvi Næs Hoydal (Tonigh was the night) FAROE ISLANDS All the finalists will automatically be selected to the Northern Script Group Scriptwriting Mentoring Program which lasts from 12th of September until 14th of November 2022. Each Nordic finalist is also invited to join our one-week-long Northern Script camp in Northern Finland, Oulu, located only 170km from the Arctic Circle (14th – 20th of November 2022). The scriptwriting camp is totally FREE for the participants. Transportation, food, accommodation, international workshops, international film lecturers, local scenery, local sauna and VIP Tickets to the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival are all included. At the end of the camp, all the Northern Script Group Short Films will be shown in front of a live audience during Oulu Film Festivals.  Next year we will arrange a new Northern Script with local Nordic workshops starting in spring time 2023. Northern Script is always in a lookout for new committed members for the Youth Committee. More information about how to participate to the Youth Committee here on our Webpage. Stay tuned for interviews and articles about our wonderful finalists and their journey with the Northern Script Mentoring Program and the scriptwriting Camp 2022!   [...] Read more...
17.8.2022NORTHERN SCRIPT CLOSING UP SOON Hurry up!! Northern Script Competition is about to close up in 5 days. The deadline for the short film scripts is 22nd of August 2022. Note! Each participant gets a FEEDBACK of their script sent to the competition! If you have a story to be told, please please send it to your Northern Script partner by this Friday.  All Nordic Email addresses can be found from ‘HOW TO PARTICIPATE’- section on our webpage.  Finnish scripts can be send to the following address johanna.lappalainen(a)mediametka.fi THEME  This year’s theme is TEMPTATION. You can use the theme in your scriptwriting in multiple ways. You can use the theme literally, symbolically or from an emotional perspective.  The theme can also be related to societal circumstances.  SCRIPT The script can be based on your own life experience, or it can be purely a creation of your imagination. There are no restrictions on genre. You can decide which style you want to use. Be bold & creative! Script Max Length: 10 pages Script Font: Courier Font Size: 12 NORTHERN SCRIPT CAMP IN NOVEMBER The best Nordic scriptwriters get to be chosen to participate in a one-week-long scriptwriting camp in the North of Finland located only 170km from the Arctic Circle (14-20th of November 2022). The camp is totally FREE for the participants. Transportation, food, accommodation, international workshops, international film lecturers, local scenery, local sauna and VIP Tickets to the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival are included. GROUP FILM SCRIPTWRITING PROGRAMME In addition all finalists will get to participate in a Group Short Film Scriptwriting -programme. At the end of the camp, all the Northern Script short films will be shown in front of a live audience during Oulu Film Festivals. If you are an aspiring scriptwriter with a talent of writing stories and interest in filmmaking – This is a Must Event for you! Are you interested? More information can be found from the ‘HOW TO PARTICIPATE’ -section. GOOD LUCK! [...] Read more...
10.8.2022‘You open up a new document, ready to write your next screenplay. But after a while you realize that no words have stuck on the page, you don’t really know what to write or how to start. All you see is the dreaded blank page.’ The first Northern Script workshop in Sweden was organized during PIXEL Skånes Film Festival 29-30 April 2022 by the Swedish workshop leader David Wramneby. The workshop was about how to soften the existential dread that the blank page can sometimes give a writer. Since writing a story isn’t a step by step process Wramneby gave some of his tips and tricks on how to overcome the blank page. He mainly focused on 2 things, looking for the main focus in the story or trying to find the core of the story. He likened these 2 processes to a funnel. The first was to look through the small hole of the funnel. To look for the main focus of the story. Trying to find what is going to happen in the story. Will the main character achieve their goal? What is that goal? How will they go about it? Will Frodo get the ring to Mt doom? Will Marlin find Nemo? The second method he used was to turn the funnel upright and pour in all of the “ingredients” and see if you can find the core of the story coming out of the other end. The example Wramneby used here was when he wrote a tv-series for a channel. (SVT Barn)They wanted a horror show for teens and since David isn’t a teen anymore. He had to research. At the end, he took all of the research he gathered and the restrictions from the production company. Put everything in the funnel and looked for the core of the story at the other end. David told this to the 20-30 workshop attendees and hopefully they, as well as you dear reader, now have some help on how to combat the blank page. The writer of the article is Mattias Staaf, a member of the Northern Script Youth Committee [...] Read more...
22.6.2022NORTHERN SCRIPT Opportunities for young screenwriters from Nordic countries are important for fostering new talent. Northern script is an event aimed to help aspiring storytellers from Nordic countries to network. It offers workshops for young writers in the following countries; Norway Denmark Sweden Iceland Faroe Islands Finland  Greenland Sápmi/Samiland Åland Islands In this blog, we’ll go over the workshop facilitated in Iceland on the 14th of May 2022. We’ll go over what was discussed, give some examples, tips and tricks, and finally some pointers from the facilitator, Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir. OVERVIEW  We were seated in a lecture room in ‘Kvikmyndaskóli Íslands’. There weren’t many of us but as we say in Iceland ‘Fáment en góðment’, which translates to ‘few people but good people’. Kolbrún began by explaining what Northern script is about – a nordic screenwriting contest, opportunities for young screenwriters in the Nordic countries, and so forth – then dove straight into her PowerPoint, telling us how one can put all stories into 6 categories (more on that later) and discussing the ‘science’ of scriptwriting. The workshop was beginner-friendly and Kolbrún created an atmosphere that made you feel comfortable asking questions, and there were a lot of questions. She talked about formatting and helped us fit our favorite films into the 6 categories in order to better understand what she was talking about (again, more on that later). Overall, it was a beginner-friendly workshop that offered good advice and insight for participants taking their first steps in screenwriting. EXAMPLES FROM THE WORKSHOP  To get into more detail, Kolbrún went over the core elements that make up a story. First, she mentioned the 6 stories of man, she explained that most – if not all – stories humans have ever created can be sorted into 1 of these 6 archetypes;  Rags to riches – a steady rise from bad to good fortune Riches to rags – a fall from good to bad, a tragedy Icarus – a rise then a fall in fortune Oedipus – a fall, a rise then a fall again Cinderella – rise, fall, rise Man in a hole – fall, rise Looks like originality is out the window… Well not exactly, Kolbrún reassured us that everyone has their own unique experience and point of view to bring to a story, so if you were to ask ’’what makes my story original?’’ Kolbrún would answer;  You!  Kolbrún also introduced us to the 8-point story arc to help us simplify and see stories more clearly. These 8 points are as follows: Stasis: Here you introduce your character and the world they live in. Trigger: Something is introduced that threatens or changes the world of the character. This could be a want or need they have or an external force.  The quest: Now your character has been thrust into unfamiliar circumstances Surprise: Something unexpected happens along the way Critical choice:    Your character is forced to make a hard choice, it’s very popular that this choice be between their want and their need. The climax:  The most intense part of the story; the breakthrough, the boss fight, the end of the race.  Reversal: The character recognizes that the world – and probably they themselves – have changed. Resolution: The protagonist has finished their journey and the story has ended.  This blueprint can be helpful for beginners and fun for everyone to see if you can find these points in your favorite stories.  STUDENT INTERVIEWS  The participants were fewer than expected but everyone seemed very happy with the workshop. We spoke to Guðrún, who when asked if she had heard about Northern Script before the workshop replied; that the name was familiar but she had never really known what it was. Kormákur (a friend of one of the youth committee members) said they first heard about it on an Instagram story advertising the workshop. Many expressed their satisfaction, like Tinna who said: ‘The workshop was both fun and informative!’.These participants also seemed eager to take part in the scriptwriting competition and so should you! TIPS AND TRICKS As a beginner, it may be intimidating to write a script for a competition, but do not fret! Kolbrún gave us some handy info to get us started on creating our story. Firstly, we need to keep in mind the length of the script, as this is a short film (10 mins max) you have to be aware of the important plot progression in your story, each page, and each minute has to be important and used to its full potential. The story has to contain all of the same elements as a full-length film but in a fraction of the time, so take your full-length story and tell only a small chunk of it. It can also be helpful to tell a more visual story as dialogue takes up a lot of space. Remember SHOW DON´T TELL!  It is also helpful to write about one’s own experiences, no need to get too literal but remember why we relate to the stories we love, it could be a similar experience, shared emotion, or a fantasy. Writing what you know is much easier than writing what you don´t.  Last but not least Kolbrún found it important for us to know that we can never write for everyone. What she means by that is we can’t make everyone happy, write for a specific group of people, for instance, someone going through a heartbreak, people who have never experienced it may not relate to or like your story but someone out there will!    Q & A WITH KOLBRÚN  After the session, we caught up with Kolbrún to ask her some questions. Why should people participate in Northern Script? The Northern script offers a great opportunity, on one hand with free workshops and subsequent ones for the winners. By attending the workshops you get the opportunity to network and to meet professionals in the industry What is important to keep in mind when participating in a script competition? Start early, rewrite, and make sure that your last draft is airtight (Review the grammar) Do you have any tips? Write about something that matters to you and you know well   The blog is written by the Icelandic members of the Northern Script Youth Committee, Elizabeth Karen & David Örn Ingimarsson — Landscape photos by Jeffrey Fredrick Guarino Workshop photos by Elizabeth Karen [...] Read more...
14.6.2022 Read more...
1.6.2022DO YOU HAVE A TALENT FOR WRITING STORIES? Northern Script is Nordic Short Film Script Writing Event aimed for 18-29 year old writers living in the Nordic countries. We are currently looking for SCRIPTWRITERS & STORYTELLERS to participate in the Northern Script Competition 2022. Northern Script aims to help the participants to find their own voice & develop their script writing skills. Earlier experience of screenwriting is not required. Instead personality and courage are emphasized. The deadline for the short film scripts is 22nd of August 2022.  Note! Each participant gets FEEDBACK of their script sent to the competition! The best Nordic scriptwriters get to be chosen to participate in a one-week-long scriptwriting camp in the North of Finland located only 170km from the Arctic Circle (14th -20th of March 2022). The camp is totally FREE for the participants. Transportation, food, accommodation, international workshops, international film lecturers, local scenery, local sauna and VIP Tickets to the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival are included. In addition all finalists will get to participate in a Group Short Film Scriptwriting -programme with the Professional scriptwriter, Milla Tuokkola. At the end of the camp, all the Northern Script short films will be shown in front of a live audience during Oulu Film Festivals. If you are an aspiring scriptwriter with a talent of writing stories and interest in filmmaking – This Event is a Must for you! Check the How to Participate section for more information.  [...] Read more...
25.5.2022  This spring Northern Script organized for the first time ever scriptwriting workshops in 9 different places in the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland Islands & Sami region) The Finnish workshop was held 13th of May 2022 inside the legendary Cinema Orion. The workshop leaders, Mette Lagerstam and Elina Vitkala from Ihmefilmi ry, talked about short films in general, about experimental short films and about short film funding and distribution.  According to Lagerstam and Vitkala the different categories of the short films are 1) Funny  2) Poetic 3) Metaphoric. During the workshop we were shown a short film from each category. The funny one was by Teemu Nikki: ‘Kalajuttu’. The Poetic one was by PV Lehtinen ‘Krump’. The Metaphoric one was by Jani Leinonen ‘Goodbye Reality’. Many of the audience reacted to the short films with enjoyment and laughter and the screenings made the workshop more concrete, giving cinematic pauses between the lecture itself. The workshop went also through the format of a script and gave different tools on how to start writing your own short film script. The plot of the script can come anywhere but it is the personal scripts that in many cases can be the most relatable to the audience. All in all the workshop showed a lot of different short films not known to the audience which gave the Northern Script participants new ideas on which direction perhaps to take their own short film scripts in the future. In the end Lagerstam & Vitkala called in for being brave and bold and to find their own voice in scriptwriting.  All the things which are the most important in our Northern Script concept as well. Hopefully the Northern Script participants left Orion more bold & confident and with more knowledge than before about the short films and scriptwriting. Now we are just waiting for the creative and daring scripts to be sent to the Northern Script. The deadline for the scripts is 22nd of August 2022. The address is johanna.lappalainen(a)mediametka.fi or  nosi(a)mediametka.fi   Article by Johanna Lappalainen Photos by Miikka Ylipekka [...] Read more...
18.5.2022My name is Sølvi, and I am 19 years old living in the Faroe Islands. Filmmaking is a big passion of mine, and I greatly enjoy telling stories. I am planning on taking an education in scriptwriting, because writing the screenplay is perhaps the most fun part of the filmmaking process.  A film is nothing without a story, and getting to decide how the story unfolds, and how the characters progress, is very exciting. I’m excited to be a part of the Youth Committee! [...] Read more...
18.5.2022My name is Brage Norløff Grindeland and I am a 22 year old student from Stavanger, Norway. I started acting at a local theater called Rogaland Teater when I was in middle school and it was through this that I found my passion for the entertainment industry.  After acting in a few major productions I realized that I enjoyed working with the entirety of a production, i.e. scriptwriting and directing, more than I enjoyed acting.  Right now I am in my second year in film school in Oslo where I study to become a director. Together with a fellow student, which is also a part of the Norwegian Northern Script Youth Committee, we have great plans for the future. We are currently writing scripts and directing films together and we plan to continue doing it after we finish our Bachelor’s degree. [...] Read more...
18.5.2022Hi,  my name is Elizabeth and I am one of the Youth Committee members from Iceland. I’m fairly new in the script writing game, after years of writing poetry and short stories I found a new inspiration for script writing and film making after becoming curious as to why I like the movies I like so much. Since then it’s become my biggest passion and I aim to pursue it as a career in the future! I want to be part of the Northern Script Youth Committee so I can meet more people with similar goals and interests and hopefully to broaden my horizon even more. [...] Read more...
6.5.2022Are you an aspiring filmmaker & interested in scriptwriting? Do not miss out the opportunity of your lifetime to meet up with multi-talented Mette Lagerstam and Elina Vitkala from IhmeFilmi ry and to get a chance to talk about short films & scriptwriting in general.  This year the live Northern Script workshop is held in an amazing place. Inside the legendary Movie Theater, ORION. The Movie Theater fills up with more than 200 people so the event will be available for as many Film enthusiasts as possible. NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOP AT THE CINEMA ORION  The lecture & discussion will be held at the ORION Film Theater 13th of May from 11am until 1pm. With the help of examples and dialogic discussion, Lagerstam and Vitkala will go through the basics of a Short Film. If you are interested in Scriptwriting & Short Films in general- this is a MUST event for you!  The registration for the Finnish workshops @ the following address nosi@mediametka.fi  – Be fast as there are only a limited number of seats available for the ORION scriptwriting event! Address: Cinema Orion, Eerikinkatu 15 FREE ENTRANCE NOTE! The best Nordic scriptwriters get to be chosen to participate in the scriptwriting camp during Oulu International Childrens’ and Youth Film Festival. The camp is totally FREE for the participants. Transportation, Food, Accommodation, International workshops and VIP Tickets to the Oulu Festivals are included. In addition the finalists will get to participate in a Group Short Film Scriptwriting -programme. All the Northern Script Short Films will be shown at the end of the Oulu Festivals in front of a live audience! Photos: Jarno Jussila [...] Read more...
26.4.2022My name is Ivar Jansson, I’m 21 years old and born and raised on the Åland Islands. I’m currently in my second year studying film at Akademin Valand in Gothenburg, Sweden. Throughout the years I’ve mostly worked with various kinds of documentaries and have a background as a journalist and photographer for a local newspaper back home, but I’ve also done some shorter narrative projects.  Hence, my experience in scriptwriting does not come from writing traditional narrative scripts, but rather from my documentary work, using the concepts of scriptwriting in the documentary process, in both traditional documentary projects and those bordering between documentary and fiction.  The relationship and similarities between narrative and documentary filmmaking is something I’m very interested in – and scriptwriting is a big part of that. I look forward to experimenting more with these things and trying new ways to use scriptwriting in my own work. [...] Read more...
26.4.2022My name is Mattias Staaf and I’m an amateur screenwriter. My favorite movies to watch and write are the ones that hide another story in between the lines. I love to talk about movies and the craft behind them. I have always loved movies, but I wanted more than to just experience them. Therefore I went to University for screenwriting. After University I stopped writing for a while, and instead focused my full attention on a childhood gaming dream. After living online for 2 whole years I once again turned my attention towards the movie world. I moved in with my girlfriend and we started a hobby movie group. That group is now in its second year. In the first year we made 8 short films and grew to 10 active members. We are still learning the craft and getting better and better results. Hopefully we’ll send our short films to festivals in the near future. I’ve been writing screenplays for 5 years now and I’m finally starting to not absolutely hate the finished scripts. I’m still growing, so I hope that through the Northern Script network, we can learn and grow faster by helping each other. [...] Read more...
26.4.2022My name is Kjetil Heimdall-Hansen. I’m a 23 year old student, scriptwriter and director living in Oslo, Norway. I’m currently finishing my bachelors degree in film directing, where I met my screenwriting partner, Brage N. Grindeland.  Nowadays I primarily write and direct with Brage, and we have several exciting projects in development, but I’ve been writing and making films for as long as I can remember. My childhood was defined by watching old classic movies with my dad, and running around in the woods with my cousins, shooting films with an old video camera. Though I waited quite a while before actively pursuing a filmmaking career, I am now dedicating all my time and energy into improving as much as possible both as a writer and director. I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities to learn, and Northern Script has given me the perfect chance to do just that.  [...] Read more...
25.4.2022  Northern Script Kick Off Event 22nd of April was kept this year remotely. There were young participants from all over Finland interested in scriptwriting and short films. The workshop leaders, Mette Lagerstam and Elina Vitkala, spoke in general about films and scriptwriting. In their speeches it was emphasized how short films are actually the royal genre of filmmaking and how difficult it is to make a condensed short film in which each scene and remark is carefully thought of in advance. When successfully done, the short film is considered to be a real diamond. In her own speech, Vitkala also spoke about the different funding opportunities for short films and the challenges of distributing them. Following both Lagerstam and Vitkala’s proposal, Northern Script will start a common WhatsApp- group for the Northern Script 2022 participants administered by Vitkala and Lagerstam. In the WhatsApp group each participant can give suggestions on what kind of things Northern Script Workshop -Main Event 2022 could be focusing on this year.  Northern Script workshop 2022 will be held inside the legendary Film Theater, Orion 13th of May between 11am-1pm.  The workshop will focus on Short Films and Scriptwriting and how to write a good Short Film. More information about the event can be found from the Northern Script webpage.  There are limited seats available inside Cinema Orion, so be fast to enroll to the Northern Script 2022-Event @ nosi(a)mediametka.fi [...] Read more...
20.4.2022What is a short film and how to write a good short film?   That and much more to be revealed this Friday in the Northern Script Kick Off Event. The workshop leaders are multi-talented Mette Lagerstam and Elina Vitkala from IhmeFilmi ry both whose background lies in Scriptwriting, Dramaturgy, Film Education & International projects. The Kick off event for the aspiring scriptwriters is held online 22nd of April 10 am -11.30am. The main event is on the 13th of May inside the legendary movie theater Orion.  WORKSHOP TIMETABLE ONLINE Kick Off Event 22nd of April  – 10am until 11.30am  ORION THEATER The lecture & discussion will be held at the ORION Film Theater 13th of May from 11am until 1pm. With the help of examples and dialogical discussion, Lagerstam and Vitkala will go through the basics of a Short Film. If you are interested in Scriptwriting & Short Films in general- this is a MUST event for you!   The registration for the Finnish workshops @ the following address nosi@mediametka.fi   Be fast as there are only a limited number of places available! Photo by Jarno Jussila [...] Read more...
6.4.2022I’m Evá Elle Ritva Xia as we say in Sámi, aka Xia Torikka. I’m a journalist working in Yle Sápmi and I am also the producer of social media channel Sohkaršohkka for Sámi youth. I’m from Angeli, finnish side of Sápmi and I’m raised in a reindeer herding family. I also work with reindeer. My mother has worked with media so it has been a very natural choice for me to study media and film at Sámi education centre.  When I was a child, we had a lot of film workshops at elementary school and I wrote and directed my first short film when I was 12. The film also won the Oskari-competition (national children’s film competition). Nowadays I’ve been working mostly with documentaries.  I’ve always liked documentaries the most but I want to challenge myself with fiction writing. [...] Read more...

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Sápmi/ Samiland

I’m Evá Elle Ritva Xia as we say in Sámi, aka Xia Torikka. I’m a journalist working in Yle Sápmi and I am also the producer of social media channel Sohkaršohkka for Sámi youth. I’m from Angeli, finnish side of Sápmi and I’m raised in a reindeer herding family. I also work with reindeer. My mother has worked with media so it has been a very natural choice for me to study media and film at Sámi education centre. 

When I was a child, we had a lot of film workshops at elementary school and I wrote and directed my first short film when I was 12. The film also won the Oskari-competition (national children’s film competition). Nowadays I’ve been working mostly with documentaries. 

I’ve always liked documentaries the most but I want to challenge myself with fiction writing.

Greenland

Faroe Islands

Iceland

My name is Davíð Örn Ingimarsson. I’m from Iceland, Reykjavík. I’ve spent the last three years in London, studying playwriting, though my interests lie mainly in screenwriting. During my studies, I have worked with young people to create a choose-your-own-adventure video game, facilitated writing sessions for young adults, and created workshops for secondary schools in the UK.

I adore mini-series and believe they are an effective way to deliver a compelling story that evokes an emotion in the viewer, whatever that emotion might be.

I’ve written a few short films, an audio play, comedy sketches, and a multitude of plays. I believe that exciting things are about to happen in Iceland, with the coming of the younger generation of artists that are hungry to show what they are capable of. 

My goal is to be a part of that wave.  

Denmark

 

My name is Asta, I’m 25 years old and from Odense, Denmark. I have always dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and always felt drawn to the art of filmmaking. I have spent several hours in movie theaters, and in DVD stores so as not to miss the latest movies, as well as the oldest ones for that matter.

I have always been driven by storytelling, and although it took me some years to figure out where to stand in it all, I feel like I finally found my purpose and the place where I belong – in screenwriting!

It’s not just the fact of being recognized as a screenwriter that I am passionate about. My passion lies in the process and all the maladaptive, uncertain and unknown paths to a finished product, that gives me sweat on my forehead and life in my heart.

There was once someone who told me that the path to the dream is not a straight line, but a path full of detours. After a lot of educational detours, I am now sitting here, as a 25-year-old, with an open dream of becoming a screenwriter, and I feel more passionate than ever before, and now I’m finally ready to give it a fair try and seriously look the possibilities in the eye.

Norway

Sweden

Åland Islands

Finland

Partners

Northern Script Main Partners are:

  • Finland, Mediametka
  • Finland, Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival
  • Finland, Oulu Vocational College, Mediasaari
  • Sweden,  BUFF International Children’s and Youth Film Festival
  • Norway,  NUFF Nordic Youth Film Festival
  • Åland islands, Åland Film Commission
  • Denmark, Odense Filmværksted
  • Iceland, The Icelandic Film School
  • Faroe islands, Klippfisk
  • Greenland, Filmiliortarfik
  • Sápmi/ Samiland, Skábma – The Indegenous Peoples’ Film Centre

We also partner with:

  • Aamu Film Company
  • Solar Films Oy
  • Helsinki Filmi
  • Tuffi Films Oy
  • Yellow Film & TV
  • Kielilähettiläät -Språkambassadörerna

History & Finances

Northern Script is a Nordic Short Film Script Competition which has been operating since 2017. Northern Script is organized by Mediametka, formerly Metka Centre for Media Education, which has over 60 years of history within the Media Education Field in Finland. Mediametka’s activities are financed by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture and through different Nordic and /or European Cultural Funding Programmes. In 2022 The Northern Script project received 2 Nordic fundings: Nordic Culture Point (47 192 €) and Nordisk Kulturfond (100 000 DKK).

The Northern Script concept originates from Mediametka’s idea to showcase the public the incredible talent and invisible expertise of scriptwriting. The fact is that no film would exist without the important work of scripwriters. Northern Script project brings to the light the young newcomers wanting to work behind the films.

When Northern Script was organized for the first time (2017) Mediametka wanted to create a common Nordic network with the three big Children’s and Youth Film Festivals in the Northern countries (BUFF, NUFF & Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival). The Oulu Festivals (since 1982) is an important link to the world of Children and Youth Films in the Nordic countries. It is specially through the Oulu cooperation that the Northern Script project makes Youth Film Culture more visible. In the year 2022 Northern Script project has altogether almost 20 different Film & Youth associated Nordic partners in each Nordic region who collaborates with us via Workshop, Jury and Mentoring work input and some also through financial support.

Originally Northern Script started off as a scriptwriting competition but it seems that the idea of a rivalry doesn’t answer the needs of the young scriptwriters anymore. After the valuable groundwork, the Northern Script has developed into a project which rather than putting the scriptwriters to compete against each other, networks the aspiring scriptwriters together & unites the youth in one common Scriptwriting Camp organized each year during Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival.

Nowadays the purpose of the Northern Script is to network aspiring scriptwriters & encourage Nordic people’s cultural and linguistic identity by giving the youth a possibility to write in their own native language & identify themselves through fictional scriptwriting.

Nordic Voices

Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark & Iceland have strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties with each other. The Northern Script project includes the rest of the Nordic minority groups (Greenland, Faroe islands, Åland Islands & the Sami Regions) under the Nordic Cultural Umbrella making the Northern Script truly a Nordic project.

Northern Script promotes all the Nordic languages by allowing participants to write their script in their own language. The possibility that each underrepresented group can write their Film Script in their own language encourages the youth to keep their minority language well and culturally alive. Each Nordic country also gets to organize a Pre-Selection Jury & Pre-Workshop in the participant’s native language.

In addition Northern Script wants to encourage equality by allowing every participant to write under an alias. Earlier merits, name, gender and nationality are left out of the equation when participating under a pseudonym. Only writing skills matter.

The more Northern Script supports young Nordic script writers, – the more versatile voices will be heard within Nordic Film production from Copenhagen to Helsinki and from Reykjavik to Nuuk.

Timetable

APRIL & MAY

LOCAL SCRIPT WRITING WORKSHOPS

Northern Script opens up each year in April by publishing the annual theme of the Northern Script Writing competition on our Webpage. During April & May months each Nordic region will hold their own Script Writing Workshop(s) in the participant’s mother language in order to give advice & lectures about Script Writing to the local Youth.

APRIL & AUGUST

INDIVIDUAL SCRIPT WRITING

From the beginning of April until 22nd of August all Northern Script participants have time to write their individual Short Film Scripts according to the annual theme. Earlier experience of screenwriting is not required. Instead personality and courage are emphasized. The participants can write the scripts in their own mother language or in English.

SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER

SHORT FILM GROUP SCRIPT WRITING

 By 5th of September a local Jury in each of the 9 Nordic countries chooses the best script to represent their country to be part of the Northern Script Writing camp. After the selection of the best script, there will be a common online meeting with all the Nordic finalists.

In the online meeting all the 9 chosen Nordic finalists will be divided in 3 Nordic Short Film Groups. All Film groups will have an online mentor who will guide the groups to write 3 different Short Film Scripts during September, October & November months.

NOVEMBER

NORTHERN SCRIPT CAMP

The Northern Script culminates in a one-week-long Script Writing Camp at the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival (14th – 20th of November) during which young finalists can work both on their Individual & Group Script Writing skills with the help of the Nordic Workshop Leaders.

NOVEMBER

NORTHERN SCRIPT CAMP IN DETAIL

 14th of November

All the Nordic Northern Script finalists will arrive at the Scriptwriting Camp at Oulu, Finland. The rest of the day is dedicated to unpacking and checking the local scenery.

15th of November

The 1st day of the Script Writing Camp the finalists will finish their Group Short Film Scripts in collaboration with the local Media School, Oulu Vocational College Media students.

The Storyboard, Acting, Shooting & Editing of the Short Films will be done by the local Media School, Oulu Vocational College Media students.

16-19th of November

The rest of the Script Writing Camp is dedicated to the development of the participant’s individual scripts. All workshops regarding individual scripts will have a specific theme which will enhance participant’s ability to write better.

Besides workshops, local food, scenery and sauna culture will be introduced to all participants. The Finalists will also get a VIP passport to all the films of the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival.

At the end of the intense one-week-long scriptwriting camp, all 3 Nordic Short Films done as a group project will be shown in front of a live Film Festival audience. On the last evening we will celebrate the completion of the Northern Script Camp together with the Oulu Vocational College Media students.

20th of November

The packing Day and traveling back home Day.

Mediametka owns the rights for possible program changes.

Iceland

NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS – ICELAND

TIMETABLE

  •  May 14th- 1-4pm: Live master class and workshop

GENERAL INFO

  • Workshop leader: Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir
  • Workshop: The basics of script writing; Construction of a story and its script.
  • Workshop address: Kvikmyndaskóli Íslands, Suðurlandsbraut 18

CONTACT INFO

  • hrafnkell(a)kvikmyndaskoli.is

BIOGRAPHY – KOLBRÚN ANNA BJÖRNSDÓTTIR

Kolbrún Anna is an Icelandic actress and scriptwriter, working both on stage and screen since her graduation from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Kolbrún Anna co-founded and ran two independent theatre companies: Theatre of the Republic and Ekka Dance Theatre, the latter pioneering in dance theatre in Iceland. 

Kolbrún Anna has been working as a teacher in addition to her work as an artist and is currently the Head of Acting and Movement at the Icelandic Film School. She is also a published author of children’s fiction and educational materials. Kolbrún Anna recently wrote and acted in the 8-part TV-drama FRACTURES, airing in 2022, based on her original idea. The series was co-written with Vala Thorsdottir and co-created with Vala Thorsdottir and Eva Sigurdardottir. 

 

Contact Information

Are you interested in the Northern Script -project? Need more information about how to participate in the Northern Script Writing Camp during Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film festival in November 2022?

Write directly to us at nosi(a)mediametka.fi and we will get right back to you!


Johanna Lappalainen
Northern Script producer
johanna.lappalainen(at)mediametka.fi

Youth Committee

Each year Northern Script is searching for 18-29 year old Script Writer enthusiasts who want to be part of a Northern Script Youth Committee for one year. Youth Committee members can be from the following countries:

  1. Finland
  2. Sweden
  3. Norway
  4. Denmark
  5. Iceland
  6. Åland islands
  7. Faroe islands
  8. Greenland
  9. Sápmi/ Samiland

The Youth Committee member doesn’t have to be a Master of Script Writing or to have a lot of previous experience of Film Script Writing. What we are searching for is enthusiasm for Films & Script Writing and being motivated to meet online other aspiring scriptwriters across Nordic countries. The best part is that being part of the Northern Script Youth Committee does not exclude you from participating in the local Script Writing Workshops and getting a chance to be elected to represent your country in a one-week-long Northern Script Writing Camp at Oulu each year.

At the end of the year each Youth Committee member gets a Work Certificate of the Northern Script Youth Committee Membership. The Northern Script Youth Committee Work Certificate is a good merit when applying for a job in the Nordic Film Industry.

YOUTH COMMITTEE TASKS 

As a member of the Northern Script Youth Committee you get to meet online other aspiring scriptwriters across Nordic countries & a chance to get your voice heard in the planning of the Northern Script Writing Camp during Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film festival in November 2022. Besides Networking you also get a chance to write Video blogs and Articles to our Social Media Pages and decide the theme of the annual Northern Script.

During the year we also organize a special Film Expert Online Meeting solely to the Youth Committee members.

Interested? Send us an Email and tell us about your background and why you want to be part of the Northern Script Youth Committee. The E-mail address is nosi@mediametka.fi

NOTE! The choice of the Northern Script Youth Committee 2022 has been completed. A New Open Call for the Northern Script Youth Committee will be starting in the beginning of 2023. Check out the Northern Script NEWS to see who got elected to the Northern Script Committee year 2022!

Theme

Northern Script 2022 theme is TEMPTATION.

You can use the theme in your scriptwriting in multiple ways. You can use the theme literally, symbolically or from an emotional perspective.  The theme can also be related to societal circumstances. 

The script can be based on your own life experience, or it can be purely a creation of your imagination. There are no restrictions on genre. You can decide which style you want to use. Be bold & creative!

All the Short Film Scripts need to be sent via Email to your local Northern Script partner by 22nd of August 2022! All 9 Nordic Email addresses can be found here below.

Good Luck to each and every one of you!

 

1) FINLAND

Mediakasvatuskeskus Metka ry

johanna.lappalainen(a)mediametka.fi

2) SWEDEN

BUFF Children’s and Youth Film Festival

julia(a)buff.se

3) NORWAY

NUFF Youth Film Festival

Marion.Bouvier(a)tromso.kommune.no

4) ÅLAND ISLANDS

Åland Film Commission

titte.tornroth(a)regeringen.ax

5) DENMARK

Odense Filmværksted

mette(a)ofilm.dk

6) ICELAND

The Icelandic Film School 

hrafnkell(a)kvikmyndaskoli.is  

7) FAROE ISLANDS 

Klippfisk

klippfisk(a)klippfisk.fo

8) GREENLAND

Filmiliortarfik

mail@inuks.dk

9) SÁPMI- SAMILAND 

Skábma

tarja.porsanger(a)samediggi.fi

Sápmi/ Samiland

NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS – SÁPMI/SAMILAND

TIMETABLE

  • May 15th: The basics of a Short Film, Storyline and a Script
  • May 21th: The development of  the Storyline, Characters and the Format

GENERAL INFO

  • The Workshop leader: Sakari Maliniemi
  • Both workshops are held in May in Sajos, Inari. The workshops are held hybrid so you can participate the workshops also remotely 
  • In the workshops you will learn how to make your story into a Short Movie Script. No previous experience is needed!
  • Content: 
    • What is scriptwriting? 
    • Script format
    • Basic practical exercises
    • Scriptwriters’ view on acting 

CONTACT INFO

  • tarja.porsanger(a)samediggi.fi

Photo by Kajastus Creative

BIOGRAPHY – SAKARI MALINIEMI

Finnish Sakari Maliniemi has a small production company and he has been operating in Finland, Inari in recent years. His passion lies in working with actors and he believes that great performance starts with a great script.

Film is a great tool for identification and empathy but it needs the viewer’s trust to work. It builds on the belief of the imaginary a bit like a magic show. Sakari has always been interested in building this trust, which can break at any moment.

From scriptwriting he would like to teach to believe in oneself and own observation of the world. There are many interesting things to discover from that!

Greenland

NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS – GREENLAND

TIMETABLE

 – First workshop (April 24), online 60 min

 – Second workshop (May 8), online 90 min

 – Final workshop (May 22), online 60 min

GENERAL INFO

First workshop: 

  • Introduction to screen writing – a motivational lecture 
  • Focus will be on the basics
  • How to begin & what to include
  • What a “good story” needs in order to captivate the audience

Second workshop

  • Character, conflict and story structure
  • Central questions this specific workshop will deal with
  • How does a story move forwards? 
  • How do we come up with interesting conflicts, and how do we make it relatable? 
  • How to define character traits that serve any given story?

Final workshop

  • Fine tuning the story 
  • Group feedback

CONTACT INFO

  • Organiser/Greenlandic partner, Filmiliortarfik/Inuk Jørgensen
  • Workshop leader, Inuk Jørgensen
  • Contact info: mail(a)inuks.dk

BIOGRAPHY – INUK JØRGENSEN

Inuk Jørgensen is an award-winning short film writer/director from Greenland. He has been teaching film and lecturing for more than a decade and he has been involved in workshops and festivals all around the Nordic countries helping young people learn about filmmaking.

Today he is on the board of Film.GL, the film association of Greenland, and a voting member of the European Film Academy.

Faroe Island

The Northern Script workshop in the Faroe Island will be held on the 23rd of July 2022 by the Faroese scriptwriter who wrote the Tv-series ‘Trom’.

More information about the workshops in the Faroe Islands coming soon..

Denmark

NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS – DENMARK

TIMETABLE

  • April 5th- 4-5pm: Open online master class: ‘Writing the short film’ with Christian Gamst Miller-Harris
  • April 20th- 4-8pm: Live workshop at Odense Film Workshop for selected participants with Christian Gamst Miller-Harris

GENERAL INFO

  • The workshop will be two-fold: One open 1-hour online master class about scriptwriting for short films, and one live workshop for selected participants.
  • The aim of the workshop is to nurture young scriptwriters to write short film scripts of a max. 10 pages for the Northern Script-cooperation.
  • The workshop leader is screenwriter Christian Gamst Miller-Harris who has many years of experience with both short films, feature films, and tv-series: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5900577/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
  • His most notable work in the short format is co-writing the 2014 Oscar-winner Helium: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3346410/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_17

CONTACT INFO

  • mette(a)ofilm.dk

BIOGRAPHY – CHRISTIAN GAMST MILLER-HARRIS 

Christian was born in Ashington in the Northeast of England to an English mother and a Danish father. He grew up in New Zealand and came to Copenhagen as a 5-year old. He holds a Bachelor degree in Film & Drama from The University of Reading, England and a Masters degree in Film Science from the University of Copenhagen. 

He graduated from the prestigious Screenwriting programme at The National Danish Film School in 2011. 

He has written extensively for film and television throughout the past 10 years. Amongst the films he has written, are the Oscar winning short “Helium” (directed by Anders Walter) and Odense international short film festival winner “MINI” (directed by Milad Alami). His first original feature “Sticks And Stones” premiered at The Nouveau Cinema festival in Montreal, At CPH Pix and at the BFI London Film Festival. It was nominated for a Danish academy award in 2019. He has also written the Estonian children’s movie The Secret Society of Souptown in 2015. 

Christian has predominantly written for television in his years as a screenwriter. He co-wrote the 1st season of the children’s sitcom ”Backstage” for DR Ultra. He wrote several episodes of the Danish crime series “Dicte” in 2015 for the national broadcaster TV2. As well as spending a year writing episodes and storylining the second season of the Drama series ”Bedrag / Follow The Money” by Jeppe Gjervig Gram for the national broadcaster DR. Has also written episodes for the Christmas Advent series’ for 2017 on TV2 Denmark – Tinka’s Christmas Adventure and “Pros and Cons” for Viaplay. He wrote 5 episodes for the 24-part Children’s Christmas Advent Series for Danmarks Radio: Thannanaya – which aired in 2018. 

In 2020, three series’ aired which he was involved in. The first to be released was The Netflix series “Ragnarok” – which he wrote two episodes of and storylined four (out of 6). The second was the series “Stikker” for the national broadcaster DR. The youth series in 12 episodes was aired over the summer, and Christian served as a head writer for this show. The series “Pulse” aired in late summer of 2020 on Denmark’s TV2 network and Christian shared head writing duties on all episodes of season 1, and also season 2 which aired in 2021. “Pulse” was selected to compete at the 2020 edition of Series Mania in Lille, in the short format competition.  Since then he has been developing feature films and writing his own TV series.

 

Norway

NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS – NORWAY

TIMETABLE

Live workshop (3-4 hours)

  • 11th of May  

GENERAL INFO

  • Workshop leader:  Fredrik Mortensen
  • Number of workshop participants: Maximum 8 participants
  • The workshop will focus on scriptwriting in all its aspects: background, techniques, and practical step-by-step guide to writing a script.

CONTACT INFO

BIOGRAPHY – FREDRIK MORTENSEN

Fredrik Mortensen is a screenwriter and director from Tromsø, Norway.
He works within the realms of fiction, documentary and hybrid, both long and short formats. He is a self-proclaimed cinephile and grew up writing stories and hanging around in various cinemas, video stores, libraries and bookstores.
He took his education at Westerdals School of Communication and Stockholms Filmskola, while working in the programming committee of Oslo Filmfestival and the Eurodok film festival.
While making his own films, he freelances on other projects in various roles, always on the lookout for something that can inspire a new story. He is also the leader of the northern Norwegian department of the Norwegian Film Union.
Fredrik is attracted to outsiderism, weird things and experimental ways of telling stories. He is currently working on a mini-series, a documentary and a novel.

Sweden

TIMETABLE
– April 30th: Live lecture with brief exercises

GENERAL INFO
– The workshop focuses on the core of your script. What is my script REALLY about? We look
at tricks to get started – or to move on! – with your script project. David shares his working
method and we study film examples.
– The event will take place during Pixel Film Festival, at the cinema Panora in Malmö.
– Lecturer: David Wramneby.

BIOGRAPHY – DAVID WRAMNEBY
David works as a screenwriter and director and has among other things created the horror and dramaseries “12:13” for SVT Barn (SVT Children). David also works as a film and media teacher at Malmö Latinskola in Malmö, Sweden.

 

Åland islands

NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS  – ÅLAND ISLANDS

TIMETABLE

Workshop Northern Script

Date: 19-20/6 2022

Teacher: Arn-Henrik Blomqvist

Form: Hybrid

Maximum participants live: 15

Maximum participants Teams: Free

GENERAL INFO

Sunday 19/6

  • ”From idea via synopsis and treatment to manuscript”
  • What is a synopsis? Examples
  • What is a treatment? Examples
  • What is a manuscript? Examples
  • How to write a film manuscript
  • How to divide a film script into scenes
  • Scene headings and glossary.
  • Exercise for the following day: Write a synopsis and a treatment based on a short story 

Monday 20/6

  • Review of the exercise
  • The basics of film drama

CONTACT INFO

  • titte.tornroth(a)regeringen.ax

BIOGRAPHY – ARN-HENRIK BLOMQVIST

Arn-Henrik Blomqvist is a Finnish director and scriptwriter. He has so far  made 105 productions in theatre, film and opera and has also been the chief of two theatres. He is also a teacher of scriptwriting and directing at the Film and Media departmentat Arcada college in Helsinki.

Finland

NORTHERN SCRIPT WORKSHOPS – FINLAND

TIMETABLE

First workshop (ONLINE ONLY)

  • 22nd of April  – 10am until 11.30am (90min)
  • This is Kick off event for the Northern Script workshops

 Second workshop (CINEMA ORION) 

  • 13th of May from 11am until 1pm (120min)
  • The lecture & dialogical discussion will be held at the ORION Film Theater 
  • Address: Cinema Orion, Eerikinkatu 15

GENERAL INFO

  • Workshop leaders: multi-talented Mette Lagerstam and Elina Vitkala from IhmeFilmi ry. Their cinematic background is versatile: Scriptwriting, Videographic design, Film Education, International Projects & Film Festival Production
  • What is a Short Film and How to write a good Short Film?
  • With the help of examples and dialogical discussion, Lagerstam and Vitkala will go through the basics of a Short Film 
  • If you are interested in Scriptwriting & Short Films in general- this is a MUST event for you!

CONTACT INFO

  • The registration for the Finnish workshops starts w.e.f. 1st of April @ the following address nosi(a)mediametka.fi
  • Be fast as there are only a limited number of seats available for the ORION scriptwriting event!

Workshops

The Northern Script is proud to partner with the following organizations:

Finland   
Mediametka

Sweden
BUFF International Children’s and Youth Film Festival

Norway
NUFF Nordic Youth Film Festival

Åland islands
Åland Film Commission

Denmark
Odense Filmværksted

Iceland
The Icelandic Film School

Faroe islands
Klippfisk

Greenland
Filmiliortarfik

Sápmi/ Samiland
Skábma – The Indegenous Peoples’ Film Centre

Each Northern Script partner will arrange their own local Script Writing Workshop(s) live, online or hybrid during April & May months in the participant’s native language. The aim of the local workshop(s) is to give advice & lectures about Script Writing to the local Youth.

More information about the Local Script Writing Workshops will be revealed on our Website each year during March & April months! 

Interested? You can also write directly to nosi(a)mediametka.fi and get more detailed information about the local Script Writing Workshops.

How to participate

DEADLINE

In order to take part in  Northern Script, all you need to do is to send your Short Film Script via Email to the local Northern Script partner by 22nd of August 2022. The local partners are listed on the bottom of this page.

SCRIPTS IN YOUR OWN NATIVE NORDIC LANGUAGE/ ENGLISH

Northern Script embraces all Nordic languages. Therefore you can write your original script in your own Nordic mother tongue. The approved languages are: Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Faroese language, the official languages spoken in Greenland and Sápmi region. You can also write your script in English.

NOTE! Although the Northern Script drives to increase the use of Nordic languages in script writing, sufficient English language skills are still required. The qualified finalists will participate in a one-week-long International Script Writing Camp at the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival (14th and 20th of November). The camp is held in English language.

THEME

Northern Script 2022 theme is TEMPTATION.

The theme of the competition must be seen in the script. You can use the theme in your scriptwriting in multiple ways. You can use the theme literally, symbolically or from an emotional perspective.  The theme can also be related to societal circumstances. 

The script can be based on your own life experience, or it can be purely a creation of your imagination. There are no restrictions on genre. You can decide which style you want to use. 

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCRIPT 

Script Max Length: 10 pages
Script Font: Courier
Font Size: 12

Examples of movie scripts can be found on imsdb.com. The Northern Script participants can also use specific writing programs that modify the text straight into a script format. However, the format is secondary; the content is what matters.

WRITING UNDER A PSEUDONYM

Northern Script wants to encourage equality by allowing every participant to write under a nickname. Earlier merits, name, gender and nationality are left out of the equation when participating under a nickname. Only writing skills matter. You just need to choose a nickname and write it on the cover page. Do not write your name on the script! The scripts will be juried anonymously. The participant needs to save the script in PDF format and send it as an Email attachment. The subject line must read “NORTHERN SCRIPT”.

WHAT TO WRITE IN YOUR E-MAIL

The Email should contain following details:

  • The Script in PDF format with participant’s nickname on the cover page
  • Participant’s name and the contact Information separately in the email and not the PDF: Address, Phone number, Email address & Date of birth

Remember to send your script to your local Northern Script Partner by 22nd of August 2022!

GOOD LUCK!

Finland, Mediakasvatuskeskus Metka ry
johanna.lappalainen(a)mediametka.fi

Sweden, BUFF Children’s and Youth Film Festival
julia(a)buff.se

Norway, NUFF Youth Film Festival
Marion.Bouvier(a)tromso.kommune.no

Åland islands, Åland Film Commission
titte.tornroth(a)regeringen.ax

Denmark, Odense Filmværksted
mette(a)ofilm.dk

Iceland, The Icelandic Film School
hrafnkell(a)kvikmyndaskoli.is

Faroe islands, Klippfisk
klippfisk(a)klippfisk.fo

Greenland, Filmiliortarfik
mail@inuks.dk

Sápmi – Samiland, Skábma
tarja.porsanger(a)samediggi.fi

News

Northern Script

WHO CAN JOIN

Northern Script is a Nordic Short Film Script Writing Event which aims to network aspiring storytellers & scriptwriters across the Nordic countries. The Northern Script is open for 18-29 year old Nordic youth living in the following regions:

  1. Finland
  2. Sweden
  3. Norway
  4. Åland islands
  5. Denmark
  6. Iceland
  7. Faroe islands
  8. Sápmi – Samiland

AIM OF THE NORTHERN SCRIPT

The purpose is to network ambitious screenwriters & encourage Nordic people’s cultural and linguistic identity by giving the youth a possibility to write in their own native language & identify themselves through fictional scriptwriting.

Northern Script aims to help the participants to find their own voice & develop their script writing skills. Earlier experience of screenwriting is not required. Instead personality and courage are emphasized.

Although the Northern Script drives to increase the use of Nordic languages in script writing, sufficient English language skills are still required. The qualified finalists will participate in a 5 -day long International Script Writing Camp at the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival (14th and 20th of November). The camp is held in English language.

The Northern Script has 4 key elements:

  1. Local Script Writing Workshops (April & May)
  2. Individual Script Writing (April – November)
  3. Short Film Group Script Writing (September -November)
  4. Northern Script Writing Camp (November)

It is through these four elements that we aim to create a truly Nordic platform which leads the Nordic youth to network with each other and encourage them to work together leading them towards new opportunities within the Nordic Film Industry.

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