An image owned by Production Service Scandinavia

Production
 Service
 Sweden

Explore the possibilities and benefits of shooting film and stills in Sweden.

Sweden is an outstanding filming destination. Distinctive low blue sunlight creates a unique atmosphere, perfect for capturing the Scandinavian mood

Need to know facts

Average shoot day cost

$75.000

Incentive

25% reimbursement

Population

10,5 mio

Capital

Stockholm

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

Currency

Swedish krona (SEK)

Sweden offers filmmakers a wide range of advantages, making it an attractive destination for international productions:

1. Diverse Landscapes – Sweden boasts a variety of stunning natural backdrops, from vast forests, serene lakes, and archipelagos to snowy mountains and picturesque countryside. These landscapes offer great versatility for different genres, from nature documentaries to historical dramas.

2. Modern urban settings – cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg provide stylish, modern settings with sleek architecture, while also offering historical landmarks and cobblestone streets, perfect for urban-themed films.

3. Film incentives – Sweden offers competitive tax rebates and financial incentives for filmmakers, along with support from the Swedish Film Institute, making it a cost-effective choice for productions.

4. Strong film industry – Sweden has a well-established film industry with experienced crews, high-quality equipment, and state-of-the-art studios, ensuring a smooth and professional production process.

5. Seasonal variety – With the long days of summer providing extended natural light and the snowy, wintry landscapes during the colder months, Sweden offers a variety of seasonal looks that can be ideal for different cinematic atmospheres.

6. Historical and cultural sites – Sweden is rich in historical landmarks like medieval castles, Viking ruins, and royal palaces, offering filmmakers unique and visually compelling settings for period films or culturally significant stories.

7. Sustainability – Sweden is a global leader in sustainability and green practices, making it an ideal location for environmentally conscious film productions that prioritize eco-friendly shoots.

Sweden’s combination of natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and production support makes it an ideal location for filmmakers looking for diverse settings and reliable filming conditions.

Sweden boasts a diverse cast and highly experienced casting agencies, making it an ideal location for film productions. Over the past few decades, Sweden’s population has grown increasingly diverse due to immigration and globalization. Significant immigrant communities come from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Finland, Turkey, and Somalia. There are also communities from East and Southeast Asia, including China, Thailand, and Vietnam. As of recent data, around 25% of Sweden's population consists of immigrants and their descendants, adding rich cultural and ethnic diversity to the country and offering a broad range of talent for casting in film and media.

An average 10 hours shooting day in Sweden is approx $75.000

This ball park figure is based on shooting on location or studio in the capitol Stockholm, with a medium size crew.

Swedish film crew members are highly experienced due to long tradition of film making by internationally acclaimed directors. All crew members speak fluent English.

The entire Nordic region is known for very flexible and adaptable crew members, supporting productions with the efficient Scandinavian approach.

A standard day length in Sweden is 9 hours (including 60 min. lunch)

Overtime:
9th-10th hour: 1/7 of the day rate
11th-12th hour: 1/5 of the day rate
13th hour & onwards: 1/3 of the day rate

How much funding am I eligible to receive?

You may receive up to 25% of eligible expenses covered by the support. Eligible expenses include those necessary for executing the production in Sweden, including both production and post-production costs. These expenses encompass salaries for individuals paying taxes in Sweden and the purchase of goods or services from tax-liable companies in Sweden. You can claim the funds by submitting a payment request after the costs have been incurred.

Who is eligible to apply?
Companies primarily engaged in the production of audiovisual content are eligible to apply. Both Swedish and international companies may submit applications, but individuals cannot apply.

What types of projects are eligible?
Funding is available for feature films, documentary films, drama series, and documentary series, regardless of the format or technology used to produce them. Funding cannot be granted for projects such as reality shows, music videos, or commercials.

What are the eligibility criteria?
To qualify for funding, the following conditions must be met:
- The company's main business must be the production of audiovisual works.
- The production must take place entirely or partially in Sweden.
- Filming must not begin before the funding application is submitted.
- The production must meet minimum budget thresholds:
· 30 million SEK for feature films,
· 10 million SEK for documentary films,
· 10 million SEK per episode for drama series, or 5 million SEK per episode for documentary series.

The production must have at least 4 million SEK in eligible production costs.
Financing for the portion of the production not covered by the support must already be secured.

The production must qualify as a cultural product under the definition provided by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.

Read more at tillvaxtverket.se

Most of Sweden has a temperate climate, despite its northern latitude, with largely four distinct seasons and mild temperatures throughout the year.

The winter in the far south is usually weak and with only shorter periods with snow. In the far North areas, the winters are very cold and has snow most of the year, starting around November.

North of the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets for part of each summer, and it never rises for part of each winter. Sweden has a lot of lakes, which makes it a perfect place to shoot on frozen lakes during the winter

IKEA - A multinational furniture and home goods retailer, known for its affordable and stylish designs.

Ericsson - A leading telecommunications and networking company, playing a significant role in the development of mobile communication technologies.

Volvo Group - A major manufacturer of trucks, buses, and cars.

H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) - One of the world's largest fashion retailers, offering affordable and trendy clothing.

Spotify - A global music streaming service that has revolutionized the music industry with its vast library of songs and user-friendly platform.

Greta Thunberg - Environmental activist, known for her work on climate change awareness.

Ingmar Bergman (1918–2007) - Film director, considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.

Avicii (1989–2018) - Internationally acclaimed DJ and electronic music producer.

Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002) - Author of the beloved Pippi Longstocking series and other children's books.

ABBA - Iconic pop group, one of the best-selling music artists in the world.

Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) - Inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Prizes.

Filming in Sweden, offers a tapestry of history and landmarks. Sweden's history traces its roots from Viking legacies to modern innovation. Rich in medieval tales, its castles witnesses to royal history.

Filming in Stockholm: Stockholm is built on 14 islands, featuring picturesque waterfronts, historic buildings, and scenic bridges. Its unique archipelago setting provides a variety of beautiful locations for diverse film narratives. Gamla Stan's cobbled streets echo centuries past, blending with contemporary charm. Nature intertwines with culture at the Drottningholm Palace.

Architectural Diversity: Stockholm boasts a mix of architectural styles, from medieval structures in Gamla Stan (the Old Town) to modern design in districts like Norrmalm and Södermalm. This diversity allows filmmakers to capture different eras and aesthetics in one city.

Rich Cultural Scene: Stockholm is a cultural hub with theaters, museums, galleries, and music venues. Filmmakers can incorporate local cultural elements, events, and traditions into their stories, enriching the narrative.

Convenient Infrastructure: As a major city, Stockholm has a well-developed infrastructure, including ample accommodations, catering services, and rental facilities for filming equipment, making logistical planning smoother and more efficient.

Filming in Göteborg. Gothenburg presents varied urban settings, a mix of modern and historical architecture, from the charming canals of Haga to the bustling city center. This diversity provides multiple visual backdrops for different types of narratives.

As a coastal city, Gothenburg has picturesque waterfront areas that can be utilized to capture stunning harbor views, boats, and maritime activities, making it ideal for films that emphasize water-based settings.

Göteborg is home of Volvo Cars.

Filming in Malmø: Malmö is known for its innovative and contemporary architecture, including iconic structures like the Turning Torso. Just a short train ride across the Øresund Bridge from Copenhagen, Malmö provides easy access to even more filming locations and resources, allowing for a broader range of settings while filming in both cities.

Filming in Öresund Bridge: The total length of the Øresund Bridge is approximately 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles). The bridge itself is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long, with the remaining distance comprising the tunnel and approach roads. The bridge symbolizes modern connectivity, bridging Sweden to the world.

Filming in Kiruna: Kiruna is surrounded by dramatic natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, and unique rock formations. The stunning scenery provides a visually striking backdrop, particularly for films focusing on nature or adventure.

Northern Lights: Kiruna is an excellent location for capturing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during the winter months, offering filmmakers the opportunity to showcase one of nature's most spectacular phenomena.

Icehotel: The world-famous Icehotel, constructed each winter from ice and snow, offers a distinctive setting for films, with beautiful ice sculptures and unique architecture that can add a magical element to any production.

Filming in Arjeplog: Unique Testing Environments. The Arjeplog area provides a variety of testing terrains, including icy roads and ice lake test tracks, which are ideal for filming winter driving scenes and conducting automotive tests. This is especially beneficial for films focused on motorsports or vehicle performance. Despite its remote location, Arjeplog is accessible by road and is a short distance from larger towns, making logistics more manageable for cast and crew travel.

Filming in Åre: Åre is a popular year-round destination, known for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, as well as hiking, biking, and water activities in the summer. This versatility allows filmmakers to capture diverse outdoor scenes throughout the year.

Copperhill Mountain Lodge is a luxurious resort located in Åre, Sweden, known for its stunning setting and upscale amenities. While famous for winter sports, Åre and Copperhill also offer summer activities like hiking and mountain biking, allowing for diverse filming options across different seasons.



Football (Soccer) is the national sport of Sweden with players like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Henrik Larsson, Tomas Brolin and Fredrik Ljungberg 

Given Sweden's climate, winter sports play a significant role, particularly cross-country Ice Hockey and skiing.

Swedish Nicklas Lidström is considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, while Charlotte Kalla has won an Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing, showcasing exceptional endurance and skill.

Renowned for its commitment to social welfare, Sweden is a society that reflects a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition.  

Ethnically, Sweden is home to a diverse population. While the majority of Swedes share a common Nordic heritage, the country has experienced an influx of immigrants.

Cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö exemplify this diversity, with communities representing a multitude of ethnic backgrounds.

Explore more Locations