Production guide

Finland is a reliable and production-friendly destination for international film and television productions, offering experienced production service companies, highly skilled English-speaking crews, diverse filming locations, professional equipment and production infrastructure, and established post-production and VFX expertise.

From diverse landscapes and reliable snow to contemporary Nordic cities, Finland combines distinctive locations with excellent infrastructure, efficient services and a safe and well-functioning production environment.

Finland also offers a competitive audiovisual production incentive of up to 40%, combining the national incentive with regional incentives available in several parts of the country.

Whether you are considering Finland for an entire production or a specific part of it, experienced Finnish production service companies can help assess your project, prepare budgets, identify the right locations and resources, and navigate the practicalities of producing in Finland.

Finland has experienced production service companies with a strong track record of working with international feature films, television series, commercials and other audiovisual productions.

Finnish production service companies can support productions from the earliest planning and budgeting stages through location scouting, crew and equipment, casting, logistics, permits and the shoot itself. They can also advise on Finland's national and regional production incentives and help identify the most suitable production solutions for each project.

For international productions applying for Finland's national production incentive, a Finnish production service company can act as the required production service coordinator and manage the application and reporting process on behalf of the international producer. The incentive funding is paid directly to the international applicant.

For international producers considering Finland, contacting a local production service company early in the process is often the easiest way to explore what Finland can offer for a specific production.

• Earo Oy
• Film Service Partners/Films Films Films
• Frankie Film
• Grillifilms
• Helsinki-filmi
• Inland Film Company
• Kajastus Creative
• Leona Film Service
• NTRNZ
• Obscure Entertainment
• Woodpecker
• Xwander Productions

Finland has a well-established professional crew base covering all key production departments. Finnish crews have extensive experience working with international productions and are accustomed to a wide range of production environments.

Finnish crews are known for being highly skilled, efficient, reliable and solution-oriented, and comfortable taking responsibility within their departments. Clear roles, professional pride and a low-hierarchy working culture create a respectful, calm and equal working environment where the focus is on getting the job done to a high standard.

English proficiency is exceptionally high, making communication with international cast and crew clear and straightforward.

Finland offers an exceptionally diverse range of filming locations within a highly accessible country.

From the Arctic landscapes and reliable winter conditions of Northern Finland to thousands of lakes, vast forests, rugged coastlines and archipelagos, Finland provides extensive natural environments throughout four distinct seasons.

Urban locations range from contemporary and unique Nordic architecture and modern cityscapes to historic districts, industrial environments, small towns and traditional rural landscapes. Finland's architectural and cultural history offers locations ranging from medieval castles and historic wooden towns to functionalist architecture and distinctive post-war and contemporary design. Across the country, there are still countless locations that remain largely undiscovered by international productions, offering settings that have never been seen on the big screen before.

The country's extensive road and airport networks and reliable infrastructure make even remote locations accessible for production. High-quality telecommunications and digital connectivity are widely available throughout the country, including in remote areas.

Finland's four distinct seasons provide dramatically different looks throughout the year, from snow-covered winter landscapes and Arctic light to long summer days, autumn colours and fresh spring landscapes. Finland's northern latitude creates long periods of golden-hour light, giving productions more time to work in beautiful, low-angle natural light. The midnight sun and polar night also offer unique filming conditions, with exceptionally long periods of daylight in summer and extended hours of atmospheric twilight and darkness in winter.

Regional film commissions across Finland have extensive local knowledge and can assist productions looking for specific types of locations.

Finland is known for its highly skilled technical film crews and strong production expertise. Industry-standard camera, lighting, grip, sound and specialist equipment is readily available for productions of different scales.

Finnish rental companies have established partnerships with rental houses across Europe, allowing additional and highly specialised equipment to be sourced according to the requirements of each production.

Finland offers a range of studio and production spaces for different types and scales of productions, from traditional studio facilities and adaptable large-scale spaces to specialised technical environments and LED stages.

Available facilities vary in size and technical specifications, and alternative spaces can also be adapted for filming when required. Service companies can identify the most suitable studio, stage or alternative production space based on the technical, logistical and creative requirements of each project.

Finland has established expertise in post-production, VFX, sound, colour grading, animation and digital production, with Finnish companies working on both domestic and international projects.

Services are available across the production pipeline, allowing international productions to carry out individual elements or significant parts of their post-production in Finland.

Post Production, VFX

• Filmgate Finland Oy (VFX)
• Total Post (VFX): consortium of James Post, Helea Soundpost, Energia VFX
• Troll (VFX)

Animation

• Anima Vitae
• Ferly Entertainment
• Gigglebug Entertainment
• Ink and Light
• Paperihattu
• Pikkukala
• Pyjama Films

Finland has a strong pool of professional actors, performers and supporting talent, with casting services available for productions of different scales.

In addition to Finnish and Swedish speakers, Finland's increasingly international and multicultural population provides access to native speakers of a wide range of languages and talent with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. English proficiency is exceptionally high, and many Finnish actors work comfortably in English and other languages.

Filming in Finland is generally straightforward, with well-established processes for international productions.

As an EU member state and part of the Schengen Area, Finland is easily accessible from elsewhere in Europe. EU and EEA citizens can work in Finland without a residence permit, while requirements for cast and crew arriving from outside the EU/EEA depend on nationality, the nature of the work and the length of stay. For many short-term productions, entry and work arrangements are relatively simple, with clear requirements and established procedures.

Permit requirements depend on the location and nature of the shoot. Regional film commissions and service companies are familiar with local requirements and can coordinate with relevant authorities, municipalities and property owners when needed.

Environmental responsibility is increasingly integrated into everyday film and television production practices in Finland. Finnish crews are accustomed to working with sustainable production requirements and are experienced in finding practical solutions that support both production needs and environmental goals.

The Finnish audiovisual industry has also developed practical expertise in carbon footprint measurement and sustainable production planning, supported by national tools, training and industry collaboration.