Autumn colors over Kilpisjärvi, Finland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Suvi Mansikkasalo

10 Reasons to Film in Arctic Lapland

Finnish Lapland has something to offer for every production, big or small. Take a look at our top 10 reasons to film in Lapland & discover what makes us a location above ordinary.

1. Silence and Wilderness

Our Arctic nature is pristine and wild, just waiting to be captured. From rugged fells to vast forests, Lapland offers versatile nature settings all year long. And there is no need to worry about noise nuisance disrupting your production; our remote locations come with pure silence.

A green summer day in Kittilä, Finland
Photo by: Kirsikka Paakkinen

2. We Have Snow – Guaranteed

Lapland has up to 200 snow days a year, making us the go-to place when looking for those winterscapes. The first snow can be expected to fall in October, and the permanent snow blanket usually covers the lands from late November to April.

A sunset over a snowy landscape in Salla, Finland
Photo by: Jonne Vaahtera
Polar night over a snowy landscape in Finnish Lapland
Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Markus Kiili

3. The Arctic within Easy Reach

Our untouched landscapes are combined with an impressively developed infrastructure. Thanks to its five airports, well-maintained road network and efficient railroad connections, Finnish Lapland is one of the most accessible Arctic areas in the world.

A snowy day at the airport in Kittilä, Finland

4. Lighting Provided by Nature

Our summers are pleasant and bright, lit up by the Midnight Sun and its round-the-clock daylight for weeks on end. The Midnight Sun season is the longest in the northernmost parts of Lapland, where the sun does not set at all for two entire months.

The Midnight Sun over a lake in Utsjoki, Finland
Photo by: Antero Isola

5. Trained Local Stars

Looking for a furry lead for your next production? Look no further! We are happy to introduce you to experts who are experienced in training Arctic animals, such as the reindeer and huskies, for productions.

A reindeer enjoys a sunset in Finnish Lapland
Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Juha Kauppinen
Huskies on a snowy trail in Finnish Lapland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Elina Sirparanta

6. No Red Tape

Thanks to the concept of Everyone’s Right, you are free to wander into the Arctic wilderness without having to worry about permits or restrictions too much. You are also allowed to film permit-free in public spaces such as streets and marketplaces, as long as you do not disrupt business or traffic.

A green sunny summer day in Pallas, Finland
Photo by: Ilkka Mukkala

7. Colors Galore

Contrary to what you might expect, the Arctic winter is quite the color show. Sure, the polar night keeps the sun below the horizon for weeks, but the phenomenon also paints our winter skies in breathtaking shades of pink, yellow and blue. And while the nights are long, the dark skies offer a great canvas for the dance of the northern lights.

A colorful sunset over a snowy landscape in Finnish Lapland
Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Markus Kiili
Auroras reflecting in a lake in autumn in Finnish Lapland
Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Juha Kauppinen
Snowy trees & polar night in Finnish Lapland
Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Terhi Tuovinen

8. Picturesque Villages

Our population density is a mere 1.98/km2, which is one of the lowest in all Europe. Although the majority of people are settled in the bigger towns, there are plenty of rural and lively little villages scattered across the region, offering great settings for intriguing stories.

A snowy church village in Utsjoki, Finland

9. Resilient Locals

Finding a professional English-speaking crew for your production is not a problem in Lapland. Our local professionals are experts in working with productions and filming in the extreme conditions of the Arctic winter. We guarantee that they are filled with sisu, the Finnish national character of grit and tenacity.

A hardworking local on a snowy day in Finnish Lapland
Photo by: Flatlight Creative House

10. Fall Season Finale

After the blooming summer months, right before settling down for its winter slumber, the Arctic nature presents its grand finale by painting the trees and forest floors in vivid hues of red, orange and yellow. This phenomenon of the fall colors, also known as the fall foliage, is usually at its brightest and most beautiful in mid-September.

Looking for more reasons to film in Finnish Lapland?

Autumn colors against Mt. Saana fell in Kilpisjärvi, Finland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Reijo HIetanen
Autumn colors in Utsjoki, Finland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Reijo Nenonen Vastavalo

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