Animation in Finland
Considering the relatively small size of Finland compared to its fellow European countries, the Nordic country punches well above its weight in terms of both the size and reach of its animation industry. Thanks to enduringly popular licensing properties such as The Moomins and more recent successes like Angry Birds Toons and Gigglebug, the country has a reputation for creating IP that travels the world.
These properties have helped bring work to the country’s animation producers, however that growth has at times been unsustainable domestically, meaning some work has had to be outsourced to third parties internationally.
Successful exports
Around 40 companies are part of Finnanimation, the network of Finnish animation producers that receives support directly from the Finnish Ministry of Culture and Education. These producers range from boutique companies of less than 15 employees to large, international companies such as Rovio, which is behind the Angry Birds apps and the animated content based on the IP.
This includes the blockbuster hit The Angry Birds Movie (2016), which grossed a global total of US$352.3m at the box office. Another of the country’s successful animated feature film franchises is based around the character of Niko, a young reindeer.
Original IP and digital innovation
The majority of Finnish producers are making their own original content, which they combine with service work. The country’s small size means that there is an ongoing shortage of animation students to work in the industry, meaning some work must be outsourced. Series, rather than features or shorts, tend to be the main business for Finnish producers, which primarily work in CG and 2D.
Finland is known for its thriving technology scene, which has led to many of the country’s producers being able to combine a strong tradition rooted in Nordic storytelling with tech innovation, focusing on mobile apps and additional multiplatform content. The animation industry has also benefitted from the strong Finnish game industry, which has attracted talent to the country.
Public broadcaster YLE is also a strong supporter of Finnish animation. In order to help producers find international partners for their projects, YLE often provides ‘letters of intent’ committing to broadcasting the series as long as it is suitable for a public broadcaster and has been sufficiently developed.
Financial support
A 25% cash rebate from the government launched in January 2017. It applies to animated series, features and documentaries. Animated television series are required to have a minimum budget of €5,500 per minute and a minimum Finnish spend of €250,000. The minimum total budget for features is €2.5m with a minimum Finnish spend of €150,000.
International coproductions are eligible for support when a Finnish coproducer is involved, be it via securing distribution with a local broadcaster or by some type of creative and/or technical work taking place in Finland. Additionally, the Finnish Film Foundation supports between eight to 10 minority coproductions each year with a budget of about €1m.
Other sources of financing include Business Finland, AVEK: The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture, the Nordic Film Fund and Creative Europe. Another source of funding is IPR.VC, a venture capital fund that invests in intellectual property, digital media and entertainment. In general, the Finnish animation industry is well placed for further growth but requires further financial support from local and international partners.
Considering the relatively small size of Finland compared to its fellow European countries, the Nordic country punches well above its weight in terms of both the size and reach of its animation industry. Thanks to enduringly popular licensing properties such as The Moomins and more recent successes like Angry Birds Toons and Gigglebug, the country has a reputation for creating IP that travels the world.
These properties have helped bring work to the country’s animation producers, however that growth has at times been unsustainable domestically, meaning some work has had to be outsourced to third parties internationally.
Successful exports
Around 40 companies are part of Finnanimation, the network of Finnish animation producers that receives support directly from the Finnish Ministry of Culture and Education.
These producers range from boutique companies of less than 15 employees to large, international companies such as Rovio, which is behind the Angry Birds apps and the animated content based on the IP.
This includes the blockbuster hit The Angry Birds Movie (2016), which grossed a global total of US$352.3m at the box office. Another of the country’s successful animated feature film franchises is based around the character of Niko, a young reindeer.
Original IP and digital innovation
The majority of Finnish producers are making their own original content, which they combine with service work. The country’s small size means that there is an ongoing shortage of animation students to work in the industry, meaning some work must be outsourced. Series, rather than features or shorts, tend to be the main business for Finnish producers, which primarily work in CG and 2D.
Finland is known for its thriving technology scene, which has led to many of the country’s producers being able to combine a strong tradition rooted in Nordic storytelling with tech innovation, focusing on mobile apps and additional multiplatform content. The animation industry has also benefitted from the strong Finnish game industry, which has attracted talent to the country.
Public broadcaster YLE is also a strong supporter of Finnish animation. In order to help producers find international partners for their projects, YLE often provides ‘letters of intent’ committing to broadcasting the series as long as it is suitable for a public broadcaster and has been sufficiently developed.
Financial support
A 25% cash rebate from the government launched in January 2017. It applies to animated series, features and documentaries. Animated television series are required to have a minimum budget of €5,500 per minute and a minimum Finnish spend of €250,000. The minimum total budget for features is €2.5m with a minimum Finnish spend of €150,000.
International coproductions are eligible for support when a Finnish coproducer is involved, be it via securing distribution with a local broadcaster or by some type of creative and/or technical work taking place in Finland. Additionally, the Finnish Film Foundation supports between eight to 10 minority coproductions each year with a budget of about €1m.
Other sources of financing include Business Finland, AVEK: The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture, the Nordic Film Fund and Creative Europe. Another source of funding is IPR.VC, a venture capital fund that invests in intellectual property, digital media and entertainment. In general, the Finnish animation industry is well placed for further growth but requires further financial support from local and international partners.
Finnanimation
Finnanimation is a non-profit association formed by Finnish animation producers in 2005. Its aspiration is to build a functioning international network, but also to develop the animation industry in Finland. Finnanimation carries out various promotional and cultural export activities abroad and organizes coaching sessions in coproducing and pitching. The association has been supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland since 2008.
Executive director: Liisa Vähäkylä
Finnanimation is a non-profit association formed by Finnish animation producers in 2005. Its aspiration is to build a functioning international network, but also to develop the animation industry in Finland. Finnanimation carries out various promotional and cultural export activities abroad and organizes coaching sessions in coproducing and pitching. The association has been supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland since 2008.
Executive director: Liisa Vähäkylä