Northern Script organizes a Nordic scriptwriting camp each year in Oulu together with the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival. All together 10 Nordic scriptwriters gather around in Oulu for a week to brainstorm, pitch and develop their writing skills. The camp leader is Faroese writer and director Andrias Høgenni.
The Northern Script Camp culminates in three co-produced short films by the Northern Script 2023 Alumni Camp finalists and OSAO Media students. The short films will be shown at the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival Awards Ceremony 18th of November.
Here proudly presenting all the Northern Script finalists from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark Iceland.
FINLAND
NAME: Vili Jauhiainen
AGE: 24
COUNTRY: Finland
‘I participated in the Northern Script Alumni programme, because I saw there an immense potential for honing my screenwriting skills. The opportunity to receive constructive feedback and refine my work is a rare and invaluable resource, one from which I consistently draw lessons. As a fervent creative, writing serves as my most instinctive mode of self-expression. I find immense joy in diving into various forms of creative writing, searching for the best possible canvases for my stories to come alive. From crafting a backstory for a horror game to scripting a radio play featuring a sauna elf, and currently, developing a fantasy world for a physical card game, I’m always looking for new ways to expand my storytelling skills. My journey as a screenwriter has been blessed with amazing opportunities. I had the privilege of contributing to the 5th season of the animated series “Hullu – hullumpi – yläaste”, an endeavor that earned a nomination for the children and youth program of the year in the esteemed Golden Venla Awards of 2021.’
NAME: Jaana Jääskeläinen
AGE: 27
COUNTRY: Finland
‘I graduated from Metropolia UAS with a degree in film and television as a screenwriter/content producer. After graduation I worked as a screenwriter in some Youtube and television productions while becoming a mother. What inspires me as a writer is to bring more diversity to the Finnish television/film representation, and to make more fluent dialogue for characters. This year I participated in the Northern Script Alumni programme to get some boost and confidence for writing after a long maternity leave. My plan for the future is to study a master’s degree in screenwriting at Aalto University.’
NAME: Noora Jalokinos
AGE: 27
COUNTRY: Finland
“I participated in the Northern Script competition mainly for the opportunity of getting feedback for my writing, but also for having a good experience from being a finalist in 2020. I’ve graduated from the Turku Arts Academy focusing on Film & Media with a final thesis on
Screenwriting. After graduating I’ve worked with commercial scripts, but I’m trying to turn my focus back into fiction. My passion is in writing about the diversity in human experience and creating minimal but moving stories. Previously I’ve won a feminist short film competition “Tärkeä askel” by Naisten Linja ry (2016). I hope to keep learning about writing and to meet more amazing writers along the way.”
SWEDEN
NAME: Mathilde Graf
AGE: 21
COUNTRY: Sweden
I discovered my love of theater when I was little and have been studying acting ever since. However, I am passionate about several different art forms in addition to theater such as dance, singing and music, painting, crafting and of course writing stories. Writing has mostly been a side interest and now, when I heard about this contest, I saw the opportunity to delve into my writing a little more.
NORWAY
NAME:Brage Norløff Grindeland
AGE: 24
COUNTRY: Norway
‘Hey, my name is Brage Norløff Grindeland and I am a 24 year old filmmaker from Norway. I have bachelors in directing and I, together with Kjetil Heimdall, have written and directed two short films. I have a background on the stage and a year with musical theatre. I am for the time being working on the reality-television show “Farmen” as an editorial assistant, and we are currently in the works with new scripts for future short films.’
NAME:Kjetil Heimdall-Hansen
AGE: 24
COUNTRY: 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.’
DENMARK
NAME: Lasse Krintel
AGE: 23
Country: Denmark
‘I applied for Northern Script to challenge myself and my scriptwriting. As an actor I have read many scripts as it is the foundation for any production I am involved in, and It has planted a seed of interest and motivation which I am now trying to water. I have limited scriptwriting experience, but my creativity and willing to learn has gifted me with this opportunity at Northern Script. I hope to keep developing as a writer, and with the combination of my acting, I desire to keep on telling important stories in the future.’
NAME: Frederik Grønning
AGE: 27
COUNTRY: Denmark
‘With a start as an educated actor, I always found great freedom in analyzing scripts and writing my own scenes. In the last part of acting school, I went all in on my writing and started working behind the camera. Ever since, I have considered scriptwriting and filmmaking as not merely a hobby, but as the creative force that keeps me going. With different talented crews I have written and created a handful of short films and one miniseries. I applied to Northern Script in hopes of learning even more about scriptwriting. I believe that it is a profession that requires constant adaptation and can never fully be comprehended. There is always more and new exciting things to learn. I therefore take every available opportunity to strengthen my skills and understanding of scriptwriting’
ICELAND
NAME: Rebekka Rut Svansdottir
AGE: 23
COUNTRY: Iceland
‘I really enjoy writing and it’s what I spend most of my free time doing. I went to the Northern Script Camp last November where I learned a lot and had a great time. That’s why I had to apply again. I’m always looking to get better, meet fellow writers and be involved in the filmmaking community. I completed film school in 2022. Currently, I’m studying Italian at the Icelandic University and working on different writing projects, some on my own and some with collaborators.’
NAME: Guðbjörg Bergmann Skarphéðinsdóttir
AGE: 24
COUNTRY: Iceland
‘I have always taken a great liking to writing, as a child I would write short stories both in Icelandic and English and being a drama student as well I have found that story and character creation is incredibly fascinating to me. As to Joining the Northern Script 2023, to me it’s a great opportunity to learn something new, write more and create with likeminded people & it sounds like a good time!!
More detailed information about the Northern Script camp coming next week!!
Article written by Northern Script coordinator Johanna Lappalainen
Photo by Johanna Lappalainen