Category: Ekonomiska analyser

From Midnight Sun to Rebecka Martinsson — How Crime Drama Is Shaping Place Value in Kiruna

How Two TV Series Generated Economic and Regional Value in Kiruna and Norrbotten

Yesterday in Kiruna, I had the opportunity to present our newly released report on the economic effects and regional value creation linked to two major TV productions filmed in Norrbotten: Midnattssol (Midnight Sun / Jour Polaire) and Rebecka Martinsson. The seminar coincided with the premiere of Midnattssol, making the discussion particularly timely.

The study, commissioned by Filmpool Nord and conducted between April and October 2016, examines not only the direct and indirect economic effects of large-scale TV productions, but also the broader place-related values generated by film narratives. Beyond production spending, employment and regional turnover, film and television increasingly function as narrative infrastructures for places, shaping perceptions, strengthening regional identities and, in some cases, stimulating film-induced tourism.

Later in the evening, at the gala dinner, I had the pleasure of meeting the series’ creators and directors, Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, as well as artist and cultural ambassador Sofia Jannok. It was a timely reminder that successful place-based storytelling is always the result of close interaction between creative talent, local culture, and regional production ecosystems.

One of the key insights from the report is that the long-term value of film production cannot be reduced to short-term visitor numbers alone. Even when the effects of tourism remain uncertain, strong place-based storytelling can contribute to sustained visibility, cultural capital, and strategic positioning for regions such as Kiruna and Norrbotten, both nationally and internationally.

With the premiere now behind us, the coming months will be particularly interesting as audience reception, international distribution, and longer-term effects begin to unfold.

Stockholm Runaway Productions

Case Studies on the Economics of Five Film Productions with a Stockholm Connection – and the Potential Impact of a Film Fund in Stockholm

A Dive into Swedish Cinema and Stockholm’s Unique Position

Swedish film has seen a wave of success in recent years, with a large number of domestic productions reaching audiences each year. Yet, despite this success, film production remains financially risky, with funding being a central challenge.

Historically, Stockholm, home to the iconic Filmstaden in Råsunda, was once an international model for film production, associated with legendary names like Greta Garbo and Victor Sjöström. However, since the early 2000s, production has gradually shifted from Stockholm to regional film centres such as Film i Skåne and Film i Väst, driven in part by EU policies promoting regional clusters and creative industries.

This regionalisation has resulted in Stockholm, despite being home to 80% of the country’s filmmakers, lacking its own film fund, something other Swedish regions already offer. As a result, many productions, both domestic and international, choose to film elsewhere.

Interestingly, even major Swedish productions are sometimes filmed abroad, motivated by cost efficiency or specific environmental requirements. Stockholm now faces the challenge of not only being a beautiful and functional film city, but also of remaining economically competitive with other regions and global cities.

Nevertheless, Stockholm boasts a strong infrastructure and deep creative talent, making it an ideal candidate to become the film capital of Sweden and the Nordic region. With world-class resources like Stiller Studios and Chimney Pot, already attracting international productions, the city has the potential to become a central hub for European film production.

This report presents five case studies of Swedish film productions linked to Stockholm but produced elsewhere and explores the economic importance of establishing a film fund in Stockholm. The producers interviewed emphasize the need for such a fund to retain and attract production to the region.

The films analysed, including Monica Z and Gentlemen and Gangsters, demonstrate how a Stockholm-based film fund could deliver substantial economic benefits — not only through regional turnover but also as a catalyst for employment and creative growth.

Given the proven success of similar initiatives in regions such as Film i Väst, it is clear that a fund would not only strengthen the local economy but also bolster Stockholm’s role as a central player in the European film industry.

In conclusion, the report highlights the importance of a Stockholm film fund offering both “hard” and “soft” financing — allowing producers to retain equity and helping to build a dynamic, sustainable film sector in the region.

Press Release from Invest Stockholm:

“A film fund of 26 million SEK generates regional turnover in Stockholm of between 40–90 million SEK. This is the conclusion of a report from Stockholm Business Region based on case studies of five film productions and the economic significance of a film fund in Stockholm. The lack of a film fund means Stockholm is missing out on millions of SEK in revenue and job creation.”

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/investstockholm/pressreleases/filmfond-paa-26-miljoner-ger-40-90-miljoner-i-omsaettning-i-stockholm-1098258

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/investstockholm/documents/filmfond-stockholm-runaway-productions-2014-41486