Q&A with NYFA Alum Linnea Larsdotter

NYFA Musical Theatre Alum Linnea Larsdotter Mikkelä is an award-winning actor, producer, and founder of the Nordic International Film Festival (NIFF). In this Q&A Linnea spoke to us about NIFF, her career and the current state of the film industry. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us about your road to NYFA - how did you decide to come to school in the US?

L.L: I ended up at NYFA nearly by chance! I had just finished a performing contract in Thailand when my then partner, and co-founder of NIFF, got accepted to the Acting for Film program at NYFA. I had thoughts of moving to London, but when he went to NY, I decided to give the Big Apple a try. I auditioned for the Musical Theater program and the rest is history. (I first auditioned for Acting for Film, but after a great karaoke night in Greenwich village, I remembered how much I love to sing and subsequently asked to audition for the Musical Theater program instead…)

NYFA Alumni Network: What is your advice to aspiring visual storytellers interested in film and producing?

L.L: Watch a ton of films, maybe take on programming for a festival. I’ve learned so much for watching good and bad films - get inspired and learn what not to do. Also, in the beginning especially, work in as many departments as possible. The more you know, the higher the likelihood of you leading a polished production, on schedule, on budget and on vision. 

NYFA Alumni Network:  What did you learn at NYFA about filmmaking?

L.L: The list is so long! I love how hands-on the program was, that we got to try and also get insight into so many of the layers of filmmaking. I had the most wonderful classmates, who constantly raised the bar for themselves and each other, pushing us to be our best selves. I also felt the immense support from my faculty - many of which I’m happy to call friends and collaborators to this day. I think the feeling of community and that we’re all in it together attitude really informed how I approach my work. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What skills did you learn working on real-world projects?

L.L: That filmmaking is equal parts preparation and thinking on your feet. I might over-prepare at times, having a plan A, B and C, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to solve unexpected problems in unexpected ways just to get the shot done. It’s all part of the process. And - and this is a golden tip - sometimes your crew will need a little sweet treat for morale. Or a fancy coffee order. Make sure to have that in the budget. 

NYFA Alumni Network: How do you collaborate with the film crew to achieve the desired final piece?

L.L: Meticulous prep and communication. By painting the full picture, backed with enthusiasm, I think you can lead a team to great success, and therefore a more successful product. If you’re in a leadership position, encouraging your team to share your vision, and welcoming their professional input has been very helpful in my experience. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What are your favorite parts about working as a Producer?

L.L: That every set is exactly the same - and totally different at the same time. I love using my network to help find unique locations, great deals, or giving my network of crew and talent the opportunity to work. I like the mix of planning and thinking on your feet. And, I am in love with the post process. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What are your favorite parts about working in the film industry in New York City?

L.L: The diversity, both with stories and the people around me. We are so lucky to have all these different and unique points of view all living in this big melting pot. I have grown so much as a human just from working in the film industry in a city like New York - we’re all connected by the art, a dream and a vision. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you comment on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the filmmaking industry?

L.L: I can’t stress the importance of this enough. Representation is everything, and we are so shaped by the content we consume. We are constantly forced into a mindset programmed by subconscious bias, old fashioned ideas or sometimes even plain prejudice, and being aware of this and seeking out (and make!) content that is more diverse is crucial. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us about your experience working at the helm of the NIFF for the past ten years.

L.L: It started with ambition and a small scale, and it has just grown and grown and now we’re a Top 10 Festival in New York City. It’s been a wild ride! And my own focus has changed as well, learning what is important for me as a host and founder, and what I believe myself to know what the participating filmmakers want. NIFF has become so much more than film screenings, and I know that when time and resources are there, we will continue to add to our agenda. What continue to blow my mind year after year is the devotion from my team. NIFF is a non-profit, and no one has a full-time salary, but somehow they see what I see and I am so grateful for the time they give to NIFF. An added bonus is the network of filmmakers I now have from all over the world, people I can connect other artists with and continue to create opportunities for. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What can you tell us about your experience selecting festival submissions? What have you learned that you can share with aspiring visual storytellers?

L.L: Something I think is important to keep in mind, which doesn’t necessarily answer your question, is that even if your film gets rejected, it doesn't have to mean that it wasn’t good enough. Festivals have a theme and a look that they are synonymous with, and some excellent films simply don’t fit the bill that year. Or the schedule, it could be as simple as that. 

The selection is a fun process, and vital to the identity of the festival. NIFF has a very clear voice both visually and storywise, and I am always so excited when it's time to set the Official Selection. I urge all visual storytellers to do their homework and make sure their film fits the festival’s previous lineups, thus avoiding spending a ton on money on submission fees that were never meant to be. 

NYFA Alumni Network: How has the film industry changed in the last five years?

L.L: I feel like big money titles are still being very safe and eat up a lot of resources. Cord Jefferson said it very eloquently at the Oscar’s: 

“I understand that this is a risk-averse industry, I get it,” Jefferson said during his acceptance speech onstage. “But $200 million movies are also a risk. And it doesn’t always work out, but you the risk anyway. Instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies. Or 50 $4 million movies.”

I’d like to echo that - let indies come through. There are beautiful stories waiting to be told - and funded. 

NYFA Alumni Network: How have film festivals changed in the last five years?

L.L: I think all film organizations have raised their awareness of their role in being more inclusive, a welcome change. We can all be a part of positive change! I have unfortunately noticed that a lot of festivals take in a large amount of titles, which in my opinion waters down the excellent films that they’ve also included. I wish that the festivals would be more specific, and selective in their programming. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What are some of your favorite films and television shows?

L.L: Even though I run a film festival, I’m actually a TV buff. I love, love, love “Severance” - so innovative, beautiful, well written, acted, and directed. It’s seldom that I react to cliffhangers, and this show had me audibly gasping. Gorgeous storytelling. “The Last of Us” is also a great show, and I enjoyed “Fallout” as well. 

Film wise, I have a few top films that have stayed pretty steady. “Once”, “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, “Call Me By Your Name”, “Worst Person in the World”, and “Beautiful Beings” are all gorgeous pieces of cinema in my opinion. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What are some examples of films and television shows released in 2023- now that best show the future of filmmaking?

L.L: What an interesting question! There is a Swedish TV show called Thin Blue Line that I thought was one of the best things Swedish TV has ever made, or at least in years. I’m excited about content made from video games, another pool of stories that get to reach an audience that wouldn't have stumbled upon it otherwise. I see a lot of inspiring short films right now that touch on a very raw, human, and earnest connection. More of that in features as well please!

Congratulations to Linnea on all her success!