Nordic NEST: Apply now for the Kick-Off at Filmfest Hamburg Industry Days 2026

The second edition of the Nordic NEST is around the corner! MOIN Film Fund and the Five Nordics, together with the German Federal Film Board (FFA) and the German Producers Alliance, are inviting 40 experienced producers from Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland to the kick-off event in Hamburg. By building a bridge between the Nordic countries and Germany, the program aims to strengthen one of the most essential foundations for co-productions: collaboration between producers.

Kick-Off at Filmfest Hamburg Industry Days

From September 29 to October 1, 2026, Nordic NEST will take part again during Filmfest Hamburg with a Kick-Off event, featuring a co-creative session, additional industry events and space for exchange – facilitated by Le Groupe Ouest, one of Europe’s leading script development initiatives.

Program Overview (subject to change):

Tuesday, 29th Sept 2026: Arrival, Introduction & Workshop by LGO including co-creative session, Project presentation from 1st edition for the industry & Networking Drinks

Wednesday, 30th Sept 2026: MOINmosa Brunch, International Film Distribution Summit, Group Session, Boat Trip, Network Dinner

Thursday, 1st Oct 2026: Explorer Konferenz incl. presentation of the Nordic NEST participants, Nordic NEST Closing Night

Friday, 2nd Oct 2026: Departure

Who can apply?

We are open for up to 40 experienced producers of feature films or high-end fiction series who:

have produced (as per credit) at least two feature films or TV drama series (including at least one international co-production) that have already been released commercially for cinema, broadcast or streaming

are based in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, or Iceland

are interested in co-producing with partners from the Five Nordics and Germany

From the pool of applicants, 20 producers from Germany and 20 from the Nordic countries will be selected.

What is covered?

Hotel accommodation in Hamburg (3 nights: Sept 29 – Oct 2, 2026) and travel costs.*

Industry accreditation for Filmfest Hamburg

Participation in the workshop and co-creative session hosted by Nordic NEST and LGO

Access to the Explorer Konferenz and Presentation by Nordic NEST Participants, the conference that covers independent producing in the near future (Oct 1) and the International Film Distribution Summit, the international platform for independent distribution (Sept 30)

Attendance at exclusive networking events and receptions during Filmfest Hamburg

* Travel costs are just covered for producers from the Five Nordics. Hotel accommodation is just covered for producers living outside of Hamburg.

How to Apply?

Fill in the application form:

Application form

Application deadline: 11.08.2026, 11:59 PM (CET)

The selected producers will be notified by August 24/25, 2026.

Important Note:

Participation in the Hamburg kick-off does not automatically guarantee participation in the further stages of the Nordic NEST program. Separate calls will be published for each upcoming phase. Due to limited capacity, participation at the kick-off cannot be guaranteed for all applicants.

The NEST program at MOIN Film Fund is led and coordinated by producer Paulina Toenne:

Paulina Toenne Head of Nordic NEST toenne@moin-filmfoerderung.de

More about Nordic NEST

About MOIN Film Fund

MOIN! We are Moving Images North. MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein supports cinema films, high-end series, documentaries and innovative audiovisual formats across all genres. By funding all phases of the production live cycle it is our mission to develop the regional audiovisual industry and to welcome filmmakers from around the world to shoot in Hamburg and the unique region between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

About FFA

The FFA is Germany’s national film funding institution and supports all the interests of German cinema. The FFA funds feature films at all stages of production and exploitation: from script development through production to distribution, sales and video distribution. Additional support is made available for the funding of cinemas, the preservation of German film heritage, the reception and promotion of German cinema abroad, and for the provision of film education. Moreover, as a central service-provider for the German film industry, the FFA regularly collates, analyses and publishes the most important market data of the film, exhibition and video industries in Germany. The FFA also works together with other European funding institutions to support the development of cross-border projects and co-productions.

About The Five Nordics

The Five Nordics is the collaboration between the Nordic film institutes. We work together on film promotion, film production, sharing knowledge and a sustainable industry development.

About the German Producers Alliance

The German Producers Alliance is the independent and leading association of German producers of film, television, and other audiovisual media. With around 375 members from the fields of animation, documentaries, entertainment, television, cinema and advertising, the Alliance represents Germany’s most important production companies. It advocates nationally and internationally for producers’ interests to politicians, distributors, collective bargaining partners, and all relevant bodies in the media and cultural sectors.

Press release issued by Finnish Film Foundation, shown as published.