Finland’s audiovisual production incentive attracts international productions, film stars and investment
Finland’s audiovisual production incentive has attracted international productions, with leading studios and film stars such as Glenn Close, Emma Thompson and Jason Segel speaking positively about their experiences in the country. The incentive aims to increase export revenue through spending by foreign productions in Finland and through the international success of domestic productions.
25% cash rebate, up to 40% with regional incentives
Business Finland’s production incentive budget for 2026 is EUR 10 million. The funding covers a cash rebate of up to 25 per cent of production costs incurred in Finland. Part of the funding has already been allocated to ongoing productions, but support is still available this year.
The incentive is available for film, television, animation and documentary film productions. It supports both productions filmed wholly or partly in Finland and projects involving Finnish post-production, VFX or animation expertise. Support is also available for post-production carried out in Finland even if filming takes place elsewhere.
In addition to Business Finland’s AV incentive, productions coming to Finland may also apply for incentives from various film commissions or regions. Regional funding can raise the total incentive percentage to as much as 40 per cent.
International productions choosing Finland
Finland has a strong reputation as a reliable and cost-efficient production location, but awareness of the country as a filming destination remains limited among industry professionals. Promoting Finland’s unique locations, efficient processes and funding opportunities is therefore a key priority in international industry forums. International recipients have praised the incentive’s reliability and fast payments. In recent years, outreach has focused on major American and European studios, with the aim of building wider industry visibility.
Professionals who have worked in Finland often share their positive experiences within their networks, and this word-of-mouth is a powerful factor alongside financial incentives. The pioneer among Hollywood studios in Finland was XYZ Films in 2021. XYZ’s third production filmed in Finland, Over Your Dead Body, starring Jason Segel, premiered in the US in March this year.
Finland is also attracting growing interest from Europe and Asia. The crime detective drama series Blood & Sweat (Shadows of the Rising Sun), filmed in 2024 and premiered in Japan in April on Wowow, is a co-production between Japan and Finland. The production is owned by Tampere-based ICS Nordic. The series stars Finnish Jasper Pääkkönen alongside a Japanese superstar Anne Watanabe.
The highly popular Chinese TV series Amidst a Snowstorm of Love also received production support, and filming took place in Helsinki in 2023. The cast and production team came from China, while the Finnish company Inland Film Company handled all production services on location.
The AV production incentive can also support VFX and post-production carried out in Finland. Disney’s series 100 Days, directed by Carlos Saldanha, the highly acclaimed animation director behind Rio and Ice Age, was filmed entirely in Brazil. Finnish company James Post Oy is responsible for a significant share of the post-production and visual effects work in Finland. The film will premiere in Brazil in spring 2026.
Most of these examples received both national and regional incentives.
Why to film in Finland?
Finland offers diverse locations, from Arctic landscapes to urban settings, along with experienced production teams, strong expertise and an efficient incentive system. The combination of the AV production incentive, a skilled workforce and strong service production companies makes Finland an attractive destination for different types of international productions.
Financial incentives play a major role in production decisions. The 2026 application round for the AV production incentive is open, and funding is still readily available for productions that meet the incentive criteria.
More information on the AV production incentive, application criteria and the application process is available on Business Finland’s Production Incentive webpage.