The Agency recommends that local industry professional or sector stakeholders should take the lead when it comes to film-related activities. This includes contact with distributors and the purchase of screening rights.

Professional organizations have the experience and resources to reach out to distributors and obtain rights.

This recommendation builds on the fact that the support for costs related to screening fees for Danish films is generally not available to start with.

Regarding film screenings, a basic distinction is made between two types:

• A film screening is considered private when the film is purchased or rented for personal use and shown to a group with whom the host has a personal connection (e.g., friends or family).
• A public screening is when there is no personal relationship between the organizer and the audience.

For any public screening, it is a legal requirement to obtain the necessary rights.

These rights are typically granted in return for a fee, which supports the film’s local distributor, producer, and the artists involved.

If an embassy wishes to show a film, it is necessary to obtain and pay for the appropriate screening rights.

When screening Danish films, it is important to identify who holds the rights to the specific film.

Typically, the rights are held by the film’s producer. However, it varies depending on the agreements the producer has made regarding public screenings. It may be the local distributor or an international sales agent responsible for the rights or for approving a free public screening.

To obtain screening rights for both Danish and foreign films, embassies can use the film database on the Danish Film Institute’s (DFI) website (link). This database contains information on the rights holders for Danish films.

The database allows searches by film title and/or director name. Users can then access a list with basic information and credits. Under either the “basic information” or “credits” sections, contact information for the producer or international sales agent can be found. Contact details for the film’s international sales agent and producer can also be searched online. DFI does not maintain a list of these contacts.

Link to DFI's database

If the information is NOT available on DFI’s website, it may be possible to find it on IMDb’s international film database, though the accuracy of such information cannot be guaranteed.

Link to IMDb's database

It is generally recommended that the local partner – for example, a film festival or cinema – is responsible for obtaining the rights. If the embassy is to handle this, it is especially important to determine who the rights holder is.

Rights requests must go directly through the producer, the local distributor, or in some cases, the international sales agent.

The embassy should also consider the screening format when acquiring rights.

Acquiring screening rights for a Danish film will usually involve a cost. The price and legal terms depend on the screening conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to specify the screening context when requesting rights.

If the embassy wishes to find information on Danish film rights, this can be done through the Danish Film Institute’s film database.

Rights must be obtained prior to any screening.

There are two main types of film events for which embassies can apply for funding:

Prioritized film festival

• A prioritized film festival is one where filmmakers can apply for funding to attend through the Danish Film Institute. Filmmakers must apply themselves.
• These events usually focus on film export and often feature high participation from filmmakers, directors, distributors, etc., and receive strong international industry and media attention.

Culturally significant film festivals

• These are film events focused on specific themes, such as genre films or politically themed films (e.g., LGBTQ+).
• Funding can be applied for via the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces, which assesses whether the content aligns with the goals for cultural promotion outlined in the Strategic Framework 2025–2027.

DFI supports filmmakers' participation in prioritized festivals.
It is the filmmakers – not the embassies – who can apply for support for these events. If filmmakers wish to apply for support, they must do so through DFI. A list of prioritized festivals is available on DFI’s website.

Link to list of prioritized festivals

DFI funds:

Participation in international film festivals prioritized by DFI

• The Film Institute may support Danish films participating in international film festivals. The amount is granted as a fixed subsidy.
• Support is generally provided only for participation in festivals that appear on DFI’s prioritized list of international film festivals.

Promotion of Danish Films

• DFI may also support activities that promote awareness and sales of Danish films internationally. This includes shared stands, Nordic promotion efforts, special campaigns, and other initiatives at prioritized international film festivals.

DFI does not fund:

DFI does not support film events not included in the list of prioritized film festivals.

The Agency funds culturally significant film festivals. According to the Strategic Framework 2025–2027, the Agency supports four main objectives for cultural promotion. The following film funding priorities are based on these objectives.

Translations

• Funding can be applied for to translate Danish films – typically subtitling.

Danish participation in film events

• Funding may be granted to cover travel expenses for participation in culturally significant film events.
• For example, the participation of Danish directors or screenwriters at a local film festival.
• For further information on which cultural activities are prioritized by the Ministry of Culture and Foreign Affairs, refer to the Strategic Framework 2025–2027.

Promotion of prioritized cultural activity

• Funding can be sought to cover promotion costs for film events.
• This may include digital or physical media coverage, local partners’ efforts to promote the event, or press coverage.
• Promotional support is granted if the activity enhances Denmark’s visibility and promotes Danish culture.

The agency does not fund:

Costs related to the screening of Danish films are generally not eligible for funding.
This is because the Danish Film Institute, as a state institution under the Ministry of Culture, already provides direct support for Danish film production. Additional funding for screenings would be considered double funding.

Special circumstances:

As a general rule, the Agency does not fund film screening costs. However, in special cases, funding may still be granted:

Special cases might include screening costs at genre festivals with themes considered to positively promote Danish cultural diplomacy.

Activities with themes that the Agency considers to have strong public diplomacy value.

Information about current Danish films can be found on DFI’s website.
It is also possible to subscribe to the Danish Film Institute’s newsletter to receive direct updates on the Danish film scene, industry events, and the launch of new Danish films.

Link to subscription formula.