The Young Voices Nordic Think Tank was launched in October 2024 as part of YouthRIFF, the Reykjavik International Film Festival's sub-festival tailored for children and youth. With the generous support of Nordic Culture Point under the Volt program–whose contribution made the Think Tank possible–and additional support from The City of Reykjavík's Youth Climate Action Fund, this initiative aimed to amplify the voices of young filmmakers, aged 18-25, who are passionate about reshaping the future of Nordic cinema.
The Young Voices Nordic Think Tank strives to:
● Provide a safe and vital platform where the young voices shaping the future of the film industry are heard, taken seriously, and empowered to influence the industry sustainably.
● Foster collaboration across the Nordic countries to create a more inclusive and diverse film industry.
● Preserve Nordic cultural and linguistic identities, emphasizing the need for films that reflect and maintain the rich heritage of the region’s languages and cultures.
● Combat the disregard for youth films by advocating for more diverse creation, visibility, and access to youth-centered cinema.
Bringing together eleven dedicated participants aged 18-25—ranging from directors to cinematographers, producers to scriptwriters—this Think Tank provided a platform for emerging voices to discuss pressing industry challenges, including funding concerns, the need for diversity and sustainability in the process of filmmaking and within a film’s narrative and the potential benefits and ethical concerns of AI implementation in filmmaking. The participants shared not only their experiences but also their visions for an inclusive and innovative film industry.
We are grateful to all the Think Tank members for their invaluable contributions and for their commitment to advancing creative collaboration across the Nordic region. It is our hope that their insights, shared during the seminar in the Nordic House in Reykjavík, will serve as a guiding light for the future of youth-driven cinema. We also extend our appreciation to the moderators, Julia Granath, festival director of BUFF, international children and youth film festival in Malmö, and Icelandic actor and director Jóel Sæmundsson for leading the discussion and ensuring that the voices of the next generation are heard loud and clear.
This report is intended as a summary of the Think Tank findings, reflecting the ideas, challenges, and solutions discussed by the Think Tank members. By sharing the key issues and solutions presented in the Think Tank, we wish to lay a foundation for a film industry that is not only more inclusive but also more sustainable and enriched by the creativity of its emerging voices.
ii. Finding Our Think Tank Members
We initiated The Young Voices Nordic Think Tank with an open call, advertised through our organization's social media channels, as well as those of our partner festivals and institutions. Additionally, we directly approached promising candidates recommended by our NoJSe partners, NUUK International Film Festival, Filmshusid in the Faroe Islands, fellow children’s film festivals in Sweden, Norway and Finland and multiple film schools and film centers across the Nordic countries. The response was overwhelming, with significant interest stemming from various motivations, such as a desire to network and co-produce across borders, foster personal and artistic growth, and a passion for cinema’s future and its potential for societal impact. The Think Tank was open to film industry youths, aged 18-25, from the Nordic countries, as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Regrettably, we did not find participants from Greenland and the Faroe Islands this year, despite our efforts. The film industry in those regions is smaller, and after contacting multiple organizations, the candidates we identified did not speak English and would therefore not be able to participate in the discussions. We are motivated to do better next year if given the chance; we have expanded our network and will begin scouting for participants from those areas earlier to make sure we can offer suitable candidates a place at the table to ensure inclusivity
11 youths participated in the Young Voices Nordic Think Tank
After careful consideration, we selected 11 participants whose enthusiasm and diverse perspectives aligned with the goals of the Think Tank. The participants selected for the Young Voices Nordic Think Tank had diverse roles within the film industry. Directors, producers, cinematographers, scriptwriters, and actors, who made shorts, features, documentaries, fiction, animations, and hybrid films. Through their applications, several key issues emerged:
● The need for a Nordic cultural identity to find a competitive edge against the dominance of large, global franchises.
● Challenges surrounding securing funding, embracing new technologies, and adapting to shifting audience behaviors.
● The exclusion of fresh ideas and the tendency to prioritize safe, predictable stories over bold, innovative voices.
● A lack of diversity in decision-making and financing, with a bias toward mainstream narratives.
● The need for better collaboration across Nordic countries and a push for co-productions that transcend borders—both culturally and technologically.
These critical insights and the applicants' proactive engagement with these issues—whether through participation in industry forums, writing, or filmmaking—made them ideal candidates for the Think Tank. Their selection reflects our commitment to addressing these urgent matters and fostering the creative solutions that will shape the future of Nordic cinema.
iii. Think Tank Seminar
The day-long Think Tank seminar, held on October 2nd, 2024, in Reykjavík’s Nordic House, brought together a group of young filmmakers to discuss and imagine the future of the film industry. Moderated by Julia Granath and Jóel Sæmundsson, the seminar focused on how youth creativity can help shape a sustainable and innovative cinematic landscape. Supported by Nordic Culture Point under the Volt program and Reykjavík’s Youth Climate Action Fund, the event provided a platform for emerging voices in filmmaking to explore the challenges they face and the opportunities they see ahead.
How Has Filmmaking Changed?
The discussion opened with an examination of how filmmaking has changed, particularly in the way access to information and tools has been democratized. Open-source software and resources have made it easier than ever to create films, but this increased accessibility has also led to greater competition. Participants remarked on the overwhelming nature of digital platforms and how the sheer volume of creators has made it harder to stand out. There was a particular focus on the future of short films. Some attendees predicted that short-form content would continue to grow in importance, influenced by the success of platforms like TikTok and the way people now consume media. However, others argued that streaming services will always prioritize long-form content, given that these platforms rely on viewer engagement over extended periods.
Funding Concerns
A significant concern throughout the discussion was the financial instability that young filmmakers face. Many participants spoke of their reliance on part-time jobs, noting that they expect this to continue well into their 30s, if not forever Film funding, they pointed out, is being cut across the board, making it harder for independent filmmakers to secure the support they need. The pressure to create films with a marketing plan in mind was also raised. Some participants shared their experiences of having their funding applications rejected because they hadn’t clearly outlined the target audience for their films. This led to a broader conversation about the role of audiences in shaping film projects. While some filmmakers said they create with the public in mind, others revealed that they make films primarily for industry peers, with the goal of being noticed and hired for future work.
Cinemas after COVID-19
The seminar also explored how cinema itself is changing, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many attendees observed that audiences now approach the cinema-going experience differently, with people being more selective about what films they choose to see in theatres. Instead of going to the cinema regularly, audiences are drawn to films that offer a unique, immersive and social experience—something that feels worth leaving the comfort of home for. This shift was seen by some participants as an opportunity, a chance to create films that break away from the fast-paced, multi-tasking nature of digital consumption. The act of watching a film in the cinema, uninterrupted and on a single screen, was described as a kind of antidote to the fragmented attention spans of the digital age. There was also hope that this trend could lead to a broader cultural pushback, similar to the resurgence of interest in analog photography and vinyl records as a reaction to digital overload.
Preservation of Languages
Language and cultural preservation were central to the discussion as well. Many participants emphasized the importance of making films in native and endangered languages, particularly as a way to reconnect younger audiences with their linguistic heritage. There was a strong sense that cinema has a role to play in maintaining cultural identities, and attendees called for more collaboration between Nordic countries to expose audiences to the different languages within the region. This cultural exchange, they argued, is vital in preventing the loss of linguistic and cultural diversity
Films for Societal Change
Societal shifts within the film community also took center stage. The group acknowledged the increasing demand for films that reflect current societal values, particularly regarding sustainability, inclusivity, and diversity. These themes, they agreed, should be visible not only in the stories being told but also in the production processes and work environments within the industry The participants expressed a desire for the film community to lead by example in these areas, making films that resonate with the evolving values of global audiences.
The Role of AI in Filmmaking
One of the most hotly debated topics was the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking. While some participants saw AI as an exciting tool for creativity, others were more wary, concerned about the ethical implications of its use. One attendee described using AI to create a five-second dream sequence, highlighting its potential to streamline production processes. However, there was significant pushback from those who felt that filmmaking should remain a "purely human" endeavor. Ethical concerns about how AI relies on training data that has been proven to be stolen from others, and whether it could eventually displace jobs in the industry, were also raised. The consensus was that regulation is urgently needed, with participants suggesting that countries follow Norway's lead in prohibiting films written by AI. Despite these concerns, many agreed that AI is likely here to stay, and that the industry should focus on using it responsibly, ensuring that its role is carefully defined and regulated.
iv. Nordic Young
Voices Workshop
Following the Think Tank, participants joined the Nordic Young Voices Workshop, a session aimed at building connections and brainstorming solutions to the challenges discussed earlier. In smaller groups, they worked on practical ideas and, by the end of the session, shared their insights and proposed strategies to tackle these issues.
Sustainability in Filmmaking
Group 1 focused on sustainability in filmmaking. Their proposals ranged from practical steps like reducing the carbon footprint during production through carpooling or opting for electric and hybrid cars and using LED lighting to preserve energy to broader issues such as sustainable storytelling and encouraging digital media over physical formats. Sets should also offer vegetarian or local food which is more sustainable. They also addressed festival culture, suggesting virtual talks and compostable items for a greener approach. The group also considered the idea of "sustainable storytelling," questioning whether filmmakers should incorporate environmental messages into their narratives. While they agreed that sustainability might not always fit every storyline, they suggested that it could be a natural inclusion in specific genres, such as children’s programming (for educational purposes), documentaries, or satirical films.
Diversity and Representation
Group 2 addressed diversity and representation, with a strong focus on the importance of authentic storytelling over superficial or tokenistic representation. They argued that representation for the sake of diversity alone can often lead to inauthentic portrayals and harmful stereotypes. Instead of simply placing underrepresented groups on screen, the group advocated for genuine involvement of individuals from these communities in the filmmaking process to ensure that their stories are told accurately and respectfully. This approach would prevent stereotypical depictions and foster richer, more nuanced narratives. The group stressed that diversity should not be reduced to checkboxes or quotas, but rather embraced as a core part of the creative process. For instance, if a filmmaker is telling a story about a marginalized group, someone from that group should be part of the production team to offer insight and ensure respectful representation. The mantra "Nothing about us, without us" was highlighted as a guiding principle for authentic inclusion.
AI-Implementation: Benefits and Concerns
Group 3 explored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) as a creative tool in filmmaking, delving into both its potential benefits and ethical concerns. They discussed two distinct approaches to AI use: one focused on utilizing AI for efficiency and convenience, and the other on safeguarding creativity and ethical practices.
In the first approach, the group highlighted how AI could streamline processes such as script brainstorming, scheduling, and project management. For example, AI could help writers generate ideas by providing scenario suggestions or help editors organize material faster, enhancing production efficiency AI was also presented as a useful tool in areas like visual effects, film restoration, and pre-production tasks, like breaking down scripts and filling in templates. However, the group cautioned against over-reliance on AI, especially in areas where creative decisions should remain in human hands. They raised concerns about letting AI dictate creative choices—such as writing entire scenes, editing cuts, or replacing jobs traditionally done by people, like in animation. They pointed to a real-world example where an AI-generated title sequence replaced human-made animation, costing animators their jobs. The group stressed the need for clear ethical guidelines to prevent such outcomes, emphasizing that AI should assist, not replace, human creativity.
In the second approach, the group proposed solutions focused on maintaining human control over AI’s role in filmmaking. They suggested creating an AI coordinator role during production, ensuring that AI is used fairly and ethically They also called for government regulations and legal protections that outline fair AI use, as well as a "made with AI" clause to promote transparency in films that utilize AI.
Interestingly, the group concluded by presenting two sets of solutions to the audience: one emphasizing AI's role in streamlining production, and the other prioritizing ethical safeguards and human oversight. The audience overwhelmingly chose the second set of solutions, which focused on ethical use. At the end, the group revealed that the first set of solutions had been generated by AI, while the second—more favored by the audience—was their own human-devised plan. This experiment illustrated both the promise and the potential pitfalls of AI in the creative process, emphasizing the need for a balance between technological innovation and human creativity.
Think Tank members posing in front of RIFF’s logo wall
v. Conclusion
The Young Voices Nordic Think Tank marked an essential step in bringing together the next generation of filmmakers to address today’s most pressing issues in the film industry. Through open dialogue and a collaborative workshop, participants explored topics such as sustainability within the film industry, funding challenges for independent filmmakers, cultural preservation, diversity in storytelling and decision-making, and the ethical implications of AI technology in film. Their contributions not only highlighted the difficulties faced by young filmmakers but also offered innovative solutions that aim to foster a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking industry.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to share the recorded Think Tank on our YouTube page, making this invaluable conversation accessible to a global audience. Additionally, we plan to publish the Think Tank’s conclusions, particularly those from the workshop, in international media. These insights will serve as a foundation for further discussions and actions within the film industry, guiding the conversation toward more inclusive and sustainable practices.
We were also pleased to see participants establish a strong network among themselves, sparking the potential for future collaborations that can further advance Nordic cinema. It’s evident that a lasting space like the Young Voices Nordic Think Tank would benefit the film industry, fostering engagement, and progress.
We extend our gratitude to all the Think Tank members for their dedication to rethinking the future of cinema. Special thanks to our moderators, Julia Granath and Jóel Sæmundsson, for ensuring that every voice was heard, and to Nordic Culture Point and the City of Reykjavík, whose contributions made this Think Tank possible. We look forward to seeing how these discussions and newly-formed connections shape the future of Nordic cinema and beyond, especially in preserving the region's rich cultures and languages.
