Denmark
Camera Film
Who to know: Kim Foss, CEO; Mette Sogaard, head of acquisitions
Upcoming slate: The Worst Person In The World, Memoria, The Good Boss, Alcarràs
Contact: kim@camerafilm.dk
How many films do you expect to release theatrically in 2023?
Eighteen to 20 titles — if normalcy arrives.
What films are you most excited to see at Cannes?
Ali Abbasi’s Holy Spider (Competition) is a gem, so I’m thrilled to be on board that one. Cristian Mungiu is a favourite of mine and I can’t wait to see RMN (Competition). The selection is mouth-watering this year.
Buying across the Nordics can be tricky. How do you handle it?
Many sellers look at the Nordics as one territory, so making offers on films usually includes fielding interest from our colleagues in Sweden, Norway and Finland as well. We have been involved in a number of creative patchworks to secure titles.
What should sales agents know when talking with you?
I’m bad at taking meetings. I always end up in screenings — and do most of the wheeling and dealing by text.
How many films are you looking to add to your slate at Cannes?
Pre-Covid we were averaging five Competition titles per festival, but I feel a little cautious this year.
What’s your favourite Cannes acquisition?
Parasite, it was our biggest release ever. The profits went down the Covid drain, but that’s another story.
And a favourite Cannes memory?
Monday night at the football pitch in La Bocca, 2011. I have fond memories of scoring a perfect chip over the goalkeeper, who turned out to be [actor] Anthony LaPaglia. It was disallowed, but who cares…
Scanbox Entertainment Group
Who to know: Thor Sigurjonsson, CEO; Kim William Beich, COO; Merete Christensen, head of theatrical; Torben Jorgensen, commercial director
Upcoming slate: Golda, Greatest Days, Mafia Mamma, Godland, All I Want For Christmas 3
Contact: info@scanbox.com
How many films do you expect to release theatrically in 2023?
About 25 titles.
What films are you most excited to see?
Michel Hazanavicius’ Final Cut; Cronenberg’s Crimes Of The Future; Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave; and Kelly Reichardt’s Showing Up, as well as some interesting ones in the sidebars.
How many films are you looking to add to your slate at Cannes?
Seven to 10.
What kinds of films are you looking for at Cannes?
We are hoping for some interesting genre pre-buys on the English-language side and possible gems and crossover on the festival side.
Buying across the Nordics can be tricky. How do you handle this situation?
We try to buy all Nordics, but can also partner on some territories.
What’s your favourite Cannes acquisition?
The Square — we came in early and had seen some cuts and had a great dialogue with the team.
And your favourite Cannes memory?
I was 17 when my father (Joni Sighvatsson) produced Wild At Heart. [The film’s director] David Lynch said to me, “Thor, it’s pretty violent, but just remember that when Nic [Cage] is bashing in the guy’s head at the beginning, we used a coconut for the sound.’
Norway
Fidalgo Film Distribution
Who to know: Frank L Stavik, CEO; Fernanda Renno, head of distribution, buyer and head of Fidalgo Film Production
Upcoming slate: Captain Volkonogov Escaped, Great Freedom, The Conference
Contact: info@fidalgo.no
How many films do you expect to release theatrically in 2023?
We hope to return to our normal output of eight to 12 films per year.
What kinds of films are you looking for at Cannes?
We are after high-profile arthouse titles with festival credentials. Mostly worldwide, non-English language films, although we love to get our hands on some great UK titles, like we did with The Party.
What films are you most excited to see as a buyer?
The great thing about Cannes is that although you always know more or less what to expect, you get surprised every time by some film or another.
What should sales agents know when talking with you?
We are always happy to meet new people who offer something we could be interested in. But I have a very low tolerance for bullshitters.
Buying across the Nordics can be tricky. How do you handle this situation?
We normally buy Norway only; but on special occasions we have been known to pick up the rights for all the Nordic countries. It is normally quite easy to find someone to co-operate with.
How many films are you looking to add to your slate during Cannes?
Ideally around four to six, but anything from two to eight is feasible.
What have been your favourite Cannes acquisitions?
Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Winter Sleep, Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty and Yeon Sang-ho’s Train To Busan.
Sweden
NonStop Entertainment
Who to know: Jakob Abrahamsson, CEO; Johannes Glaumann, acquisitions and sales; Mirva Huusko, acquisitions and platform and TV sales
Upcoming slate: Decision To Leave, One Fine Morning, Peter Von Kant, Flux Gourmet
Contact: jakob.abrahamsson@nonstopentertainment.com
How many films do you expect to release theatrically in 2023?
We would be looking at 15 features, five documentaries and about 10 to 12 re-releases of classic films, plus about 80 more that go straight to streaming.
What films are you most excited to see as a buyer?
Available films from strong directors in the main selection and breakouts from promising new directors. And personally, Cronenberg’s Crimes Of The Future. I wrote my essay in film theory on his Naked Lunch back in the day. I still have a strange Japanese DVD of his original Crimes Of The Future student film from 1970.
Buying across the Nordics can be tricky. How do you handle this situation?
We would buy all rights for all Nordics 99% of the time (and also Baltics). And we have a small group of long-time partners in each of the non-Swedish territories.
What kinds of films are you looking for at Cannes?
We are looking for strong theatrical titles. They need not only to be great, but also have something distinct about them to make them stand out from the noise.
What should sales agents know when talking with you?
We are also co-founders of the swanky Bio & Bistro Capitol cinema in Stockholm.
How many films are you looking to add to your slate at Cannes?
About 10-12.
What’s your favourite Cannes acquisition?
One of my earlier ones — Lynne Ramsay’s stunning Morvern Callar.
And a favourite Cannes memory?
I was working for Stockholm film festival and about 10 friends crashed The Idiots party in 1998. Lots of champagne and aquavit. You got the film on DVD when you left, on the eve of the world premiere — pretty ballsy.
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