Fixed support sums for the film and media art industries
The most significant change in our support guidelines is about the different types of support for documentaries (documentary films and series), short fiction and animation films and media art, which will now have fixed sums. The only exception is international co-productions, in which the applicant will define the sum of support applied for as before.
The fixed support sums were introduced according to the feedback from applicants and the need to make the practices of different types of support consistent. The procedure aims at the equal treatment of applicants. This allows commissioners to focus on processing the content in the assessment of applications.
The image above indicates the sums of different types of support available. The sums are defined according to the application statistics from previous years.
Film impact support can be applied for continuously, emphasis on development support continues
We are continuing to apply the policy introduced last year, according to which we want to be a driving force particularly regarding documentaries and support the works in the early stages of development. This serves the needs of the industry and corresponds with the feedback received by AVEK.
Early stage support is provided in the form of development support, which can be applied for twice for a single project. There are two alternative support sums for both media art and documentaries (cf. table above). A maximum of EUR 30,000 of development support can be granted to a single documentary project and EUR 16,000 to a media art project. In addition to the development support, production support will also be available, making it possible to increase the total sum of support for larger projects.
AVEK has previously granted documentary film impact support in connection with DocPoint IMPACT. From now on, the impact support can be applied for from AVEK as post production support as an ongoing application. The sum of the support is EUR 15,000. The support can be granted for documentaries as well as short fiction and animation films.
Some additional clarifications for the support guidelines have also been made. For example, the information related to the attachments added to applications has been updated, so please read the related instructions carefully before submitting an application. The application system has not changed as a result of the reform.
Read the support guidelines here
Frequently asked questions
I submitted an application in late 2020 but it has not been processed yet. Does the fact that the application was prepared according to the previous support guidelines have any effect on the process?
No. Any applications received in 2020 will be processed according to the support guidelines valid at the time.
I submitted an application at the very beginning of 2021 before I noticed the changes in the support guidelines. How will this affect my application?
If an applicant has submitted an application to AVEK before becoming aware of the new support guidelines, the commissioner will discuss the application with the applicant and all issues will be resolved in the best interests of the applicant. There is no need to worry, but you should contact the commissioner directly.
Do the different types of support need to be applied for in a specific order from scriptwriting support to development support and production support?
No. Different types of applicable support can be applied for at any stage.
How many times a year are development supports for documentaries or media art with a smaller or larger sum granted?
We have not defined the share of development supports granted with a smaller or larger sum in advance. The allocation of the support depends on the types of applications received by AVEK.
Is the development support available only once a year for a single project?
Development support can be granted twice for a single project, and these grants can be made within the same year.
Do not hesitate to contact us!
Send us an e-mail, call us and/or leave a call request. Our e-mail addresses are in the format firstname.lastname(at)avek.kopiosto.fi However, before contacting us, please read the frequently asked questions and the support guidelines.
If you want to make changes to an application you have already submitted or if you have any questions regarding an application, please enter the decision number of the application in the e-mail when placing a call request.
- All AVEK-related matters, especially support for international promotion, support for audiovisual culture, training support, course support: Director Ulla Simonen
- Film support: Commissioner Mikko Peltonen. You can arrange a personal meeting with Mikko after submitting an application.
- Media art supports and CreaDemo, CreMa and DigiDemo: Commissioner Milla Moilanen. Milla can be reached by phone 10 a.m.–12 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Matters related to the AVEK application system, providing attachments, agreements and final reports: Production Coordinator Erja Mäki-Iso
- Communications, e.g. using the AVEK logo and materials from completed projects for social media purposes or article suggestions for the newsletter: Communications Specialist Iina Saarinen