Filmby Aarhus

 The big little brother of Danish film

The film scene in Aarhus is thriving, and at Filmby Århus the increasingly professional film-makers are finding the necessary studio facilities as well as collaboration partners and sources of funding.

With Filmby Århus, the Municipality of Aarhus has dedicated 12,000 square metres of harbour front property to film production and related activities. Film studios and production facilities take up 2,000 square metres, while the remain-ing 10,000 square metres of the distinctive building are laid out as offices and production rooms for enterprises within the audiovisual line of business, including lighting, sound, music and equipment leasing as well as communica-tion businesses.

“Aarhus has very high ambitions within the cul-tural area, not least within film, and there is a clear need for a centre for film in Aarhus,” says Søren Poulsen, Manager of Filmby Århus.

Filmby Århus focuses on growth and creativity within the production of film, TV and new media, and Aarhus is perceived as an ambitious city which can go a long way as a centre of creative and cultural activities.

“I am looking forward to the coming years. We will be involved in producing both feature films and outstanding documentaries,” says Søren Poulsen.

The overall objective for the next five years is to attract a natural share of Danish film and TV production to Aarhus and the rest of the region. Søren Poulsen says:“Aarhus will come to play the role of the big little brother of the Danish film industry.”

In summary, the aims of Filmby Århus are:

• More good feature films

• More commercials

• More competent film, video and TV makers

• Flexible and professional conditions for film

   and TV production in the public space

• Better contact to national and international

   players in the audiovisual industry

• More opportunities for professional film and

   TV makers

• Greater awareness about the basic premises

   of the film industry and potential for profiling

• More funding for film production

• More contact between AV enterprises and

   the rest of the business community.

However, it is not all about aims and visions. The Municipality of Aarhus and Filmby Århus also provide funding for film projects. Filmby Århus collaborates with Den Vestdanske Film-pulje, a body funding film production in Western Denmark, i.e. the County of Aarhus and the municipalities of Aarhus, Frederikshavn, Holstebro and Viborg. The longterm objective of both organisations is to improve the conditions for film and TV production in Western Denmark.