Fiksjonsfilm

Fiksjonsfilm is a Norwegian term that identifies motion pictures whose primary purpose is to present a fictional narrative rather than to document real events or people. In Norwegian film policy, the distinction between fiksjonsfilm and documentary film is used for regulatory, tax, and funding purposes. A fiksjonsfilm typically follows a structured plot, includes characters that are portrayed by actors, and relies on script, direction and production design to create a fictional world. The genre can be further subdivided into feature films, short fiksjonsfilms, and made‑for‑television fictional features, each with its own length and distribution criteria.

Historically, the use of the term dates back to the 1950s when Norwegian authorities began to formalise funding rules for the audiovisual sector. Since the introduction of the 1999 film law, fiksjonsfilm has been recognized as a key category for cultural promotion, with specific grants allocated to support storytelling, drama, animation and genre films that achieve a certain level of artistic or commercial ambition. The guidelines also require that a minimum proportion of the production budget be allocated to Norwegian talent and that the film be made primarily for Norwegian audiences.

Prominent examples of Norwegian fiksjonsfilm include the award‑winning feature “The Quatermass Manifesto” and the international hit “The Wave”, both of which illustrate how the category can span from domestic drama to globally distributed science‑fiction. Contemporary fiksjonsfilms continue to benefit from co‑production agreements under the European Union’s MEDIA programme, enabling Norwegian storytellers to reach a wider viewership while maintaining distinct cultural identity.