About Film & Kino

Around the world, cinemas are usually owned by private companies. In Norway, however, most cinemas are owned by the municipalities. As a member organisation for the municipalities, Film & Kino is looking after their interests concerning film and the running of cinemas. Membership is open to all municipalities. The organisation is governed by a national convention with delegates from both the municipalities and the cinema and video industries.

Digital movie theatres

Norway became the world's first country with only digital cinema technology in July 2011. During the digitising process Film & Kino conducted the roll-out of 420 screens all over the country. This has been one of the most important tasks for the organisation the last years. In a periode of six to eight years, Film & Kino will offer support to the digital movie theatres.

Helps ensure public access to new and relevant films

Film & Kino’s mission is to ensure the public of the entire country access to new and relevant films, either through regular theatrical releases, at festivals or through DVD. The organisation shall further facilitate both the big movie theatre experience and a purposeful use of the DVD format, as well as being a guarantor of quality and diversity.

Film & Kino administers a number of support initiatives for films. About 30 per cent of the films in regular theatrical release in Norway receive support from these initiatives.

Film & Kino’s fields of operations are:

• Support functions connected to the digital movie theatres
• Support the import and distribution of films
• Main executive responsibility for the government’s film culture and educational programmes for children and youth
• The official financing of Norwegian film festivals
• Developing the cinema and video industries
• Give advice and develop know-how
• Information and contact point for the public

Norwegian Cinema and Film Foundation

Film & Kino administers the Norwegian Cinema and Film Foundation, which was established in 1970. Norwegian law instructs this foundation to charge a certain percentage of cinema ticket sales as well as a levy on video sales and rentals. Film & Kino’s activities for the cinema and video industries are then financed by this foundation.

The Mobile Cinema

The Mobile Cinema is Film & Kino’s arrangement for the screening of films in locations without a regular movie theatre. The Mobile Cinema brings all necessary equipment and can screen films on all kinds of premises all over the country. It is also digital and offers 3D.