Published
Author
Christian Søgaard
When Inclusion Feels Like Something New
In three months, over 1,000 people have followed us with a simple message: Everyone is welcome – you don’t need connections, a degree, or references. The response has been excellent, but it raises an important question:
Why does this feel so special?
Why Oslo Filmmakers Exists
This autumn, we talked with filmmakers at all levels. We heard the same story again and again: it’s hard to break into the Norwegian film industry, especially if you’re new or don’t know the right people.
This isn’t news, and we won’t dig into all the industry’s problems here.
But we saw a clear gap: some people have access to knowledge, contacts, and resources – and many others don’t.
The Response Showed We Were Right
We started small at the end of August. We only said, “Something is coming soon.” Three months later:
Over 1,000 followers
Only ten posts
Two meetups with 30 – 40 people each – new filmmakers eager to create, and experienced professionals talking with each other
People are asking about the next event before the current one ends
Everyone said the same thing: “Great initiative,” “We really needed this.”
But that phrase – “we needed this” – made us wonder. If so many people need this, why didn’t it already exist?
We know there are good communities out there. But maybe they’ve become too connected to specific schools, production companies, or closed groups.
It probably wasn’t intentional – it just happened over time.
What We’re Doing Differently
Oslo Filmmakers has one simple rule: YOU are welcome.
That’s not groundbreaking, but people need to feel part of something bigger – a place to share ideas, find partners, and make friends.
In an industry where “good relationships” really means “the right contacts,” and where you learn through private meetings, a place that’s open to everyone can actually be groundbreaking.
We have an opinion on something: Many people think, “What’s in it for me?” when they attend events or help others in this industry.
That’s normal in an industry where time equals money, and everyone is busy.
We get it. Everyone has bills and limited time. But we need to stop seeing everything as a trade. Instead, think of helping others as an investment. You might not get something back right away, but you’re building a better community for everyone.
For example:
This autumn, we met several producers. Only one sent us their complete NFI application for their award-winning short film – templates, budgets, everything – to help us understand the process.
As a result, we received some funding to distribute our newest short film.
We received a pitch and felt we wanted to collaborate with someone more experienced at this level of production. I reached out to a new acquaintance who agreed to help. Then the budget is tightened, so he ends up saying we can cut the producer fee to save money. But he helps anyway, and we have to use the budget he made for us.
The idea of “help comes back many times over, just not right away” shines through. We’re building shared knowledge that helps everyone.
But Oslo Filmmakers, maybe not for everyone. If you need instant results, this might not be your place. But if you believe in being part of something over time, we think you can find lifetime collaborators.
What We’ve Learned
People Don’t Exclude Others on Purpose
We found that exclusion usually isn’t intentional. It happens because of systems no one has really questioned.
When established people run workshops for “their people,” they’re probably not trying to exclude others – they’re just sharing with people they know.
The Need Is Bigger Than We Expected
We thought we’d reach 200–300 people in the first year. We planned the first event for 25 people in 2026.
But the response showed us the need is much bigger than we thought.
At our last meetup, someone asked me, “Who are all these people?” We talked about it: experienced professionals, new filmmakers, people from other cities, friend groups, and international people who moved to Norway. When asked if I knew anyone there, I said, “No, I only know 5% of the people here.”
That confirmed it – this isn’t just a club for our friends. It reaches far beyond our circle, and we can meet 20 new people every time.
The fact that 95% of people aren’t just there to support us says something about the idea: it welcomes people from day one.
What’s Next
Why We’re Not Fighting the System
Our belief is simple: The answer isn’t to fight the current system, but to show that another way works – a community-based way to enter the film industry.
We don’t think NFI is “the problem,” and production companies aren’t either. But we believe the system works better with more ways to get in.
By building a working, open alternative, we want to show that working together works – not just in theory, but in real life.
Our Plans for the next 6 months and 2026
Hangouts are held four times a year, giving you chances to meet new people or bring your group.
New events
Our “creator hub”
Small screenings
Our version of masterclasses
Events where we show work from the community
Online options – if people want them – so the community stays connected between meetups
Partnerships with brands to offer more to the community
A long-term plan for what Oslo Filmmakers will become
We want to help you with getting your projects funded
We want ot be a bridge between the established and new way of thinking
We don’t see Oslo Filmmakers as competition to what already exists, but as an addition – something that connects people.
Oslo Filmmakers started with a simple observation: Too many talented filmmakers are left out. Three months later, we know the need is real.
But this is just the start. We’re not just building a community – we’re building a culture of creating films in Norway – a counterpart to what already exists. A culture where knowledge is shared freely, and where talent meets opportunity, no matter who you know.
It might sound idealistic. But when 1,000 people respond to “come, you are welcome,” we think this naivety towards our idea, Community-based filmmaking,and our delusional optimism might be precisely what we need now.
See you around.
In three months, over 1,000 people have followed us with a simple message: Everyone is welcome – you don’t need connections, a degree, or references. The response has been excellent, but it raises an important question:
Why does this feel so special?
Why Oslo Filmmakers Exists
This autumn, we talked with filmmakers at all levels. We heard the same story again and again: it’s hard to break into the Norwegian film industry, especially if you’re new or don’t know the right people.
This isn’t news, and we won’t dig into all the industry’s problems here.
But we saw a clear gap: some people have access to knowledge, contacts, and resources – and many others don’t.
The Response Showed We Were Right
We started small at the end of August. We only said, “Something is coming soon.” Three months later:
Over 1,000 followers
Only ten posts
Two meetups with 30 – 40 people each – new filmmakers eager to create, and experienced professionals talking with each other
People are asking about the next event before the current one ends
Everyone said the same thing: “Great initiative,” “We really needed this.”
But that phrase – “we needed this” – made us wonder. If so many people need this, why didn’t it already exist?
We know there are good communities out there. But maybe they’ve become too connected to specific schools, production companies, or closed groups.
It probably wasn’t intentional – it just happened over time.
What We’re Doing Differently
Oslo Filmmakers has one simple rule: YOU are welcome.
That’s not groundbreaking, but people need to feel part of something bigger – a place to share ideas, find partners, and make friends.
In an industry where “good relationships” really means “the right contacts,” and where you learn through private meetings, a place that’s open to everyone can actually be groundbreaking.
We have an opinion on something: Many people think, “What’s in it for me?” when they attend events or help others in this industry.
That’s normal in an industry where time equals money, and everyone is busy.
We get it. Everyone has bills and limited time. But we need to stop seeing everything as a trade. Instead, think of helping others as an investment. You might not get something back right away, but you’re building a better community for everyone.
For example:
This autumn, we met several producers. Only one sent us their complete NFI application for their award-winning short film – templates, budgets, everything – to help us understand the process.
As a result, we received some funding to distribute our newest short film.
We received a pitch and felt we wanted to collaborate with someone more experienced at this level of production. I reached out to a new acquaintance who agreed to help. Then the budget is tightened, so he ends up saying we can cut the producer fee to save money. But he helps anyway, and we have to use the budget he made for us.
The idea of “help comes back many times over, just not right away” shines through. We’re building shared knowledge that helps everyone.
But Oslo Filmmakers, maybe not for everyone. If you need instant results, this might not be your place. But if you believe in being part of something over time, we think you can find lifetime collaborators.
What We’ve Learned
People Don’t Exclude Others on Purpose
We found that exclusion usually isn’t intentional. It happens because of systems no one has really questioned.
When established people run workshops for “their people,” they’re probably not trying to exclude others – they’re just sharing with people they know.
The Need Is Bigger Than We Expected
We thought we’d reach 200–300 people in the first year. We planned the first event for 25 people in 2026.
But the response showed us the need is much bigger than we thought.
At our last meetup, someone asked me, “Who are all these people?” We talked about it: experienced professionals, new filmmakers, people from other cities, friend groups, and international people who moved to Norway. When asked if I knew anyone there, I said, “No, I only know 5% of the people here.”
That confirmed it – this isn’t just a club for our friends. It reaches far beyond our circle, and we can meet 20 new people every time.
The fact that 95% of people aren’t just there to support us says something about the idea: it welcomes people from day one.
What’s Next
Why We’re Not Fighting the System
Our belief is simple: The answer isn’t to fight the current system, but to show that another way works – a community-based way to enter the film industry.
We don’t think NFI is “the problem,” and production companies aren’t either. But we believe the system works better with more ways to get in.
By building a working, open alternative, we want to show that working together works – not just in theory, but in real life.
Our Plans for the next 6 months and 2026
Hangouts are held four times a year, giving you chances to meet new people or bring your group.
New events
Our “creator hub”
Small screenings
Our version of masterclasses
Events where we show work from the community
Online options – if people want them – so the community stays connected between meetups
Partnerships with brands to offer more to the community
A long-term plan for what Oslo Filmmakers will become
We want to help you with getting your projects funded
We want ot be a bridge between the established and new way of thinking
We don’t see Oslo Filmmakers as competition to what already exists, but as an addition – something that connects people.
Oslo Filmmakers started with a simple observation: Too many talented filmmakers are left out. Three months later, we know the need is real.
But this is just the start. We’re not just building a community – we’re building a culture of creating films in Norway – a counterpart to what already exists. A culture where knowledge is shared freely, and where talent meets opportunity, no matter who you know.
It might sound idealistic. But when 1,000 people respond to “come, you are welcome,” we think this naivety towards our idea, Community-based filmmaking,and our delusional optimism might be precisely what we need now.
See you around.
