Who We Are
Lost Forty Studios is a passionate collective rooted in Minnesota's rich storytelling tradition and vibrant film culture. Founded with a vision to harness the financial strength of the studio system while celebrating the innovative spirit and diverse voices of independent filmmaking, we are dedicated to fostering a dynamic film production community right here in the heart of Minnesota's Iron Range.
Headquartered in Chisholm, Minnesota, amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the North, we are strategically positioned at the nexus of film rebate zones, offering convenient access to the incentives of Duluth and St. Louis County. This unique location allows us to provide competitive rebates to qualifying productions, rivaling programs across the U.S. and beyond.
At Lost Forty Studios, we pride ourselves on being more than just a production company; we are a cornerstone of the Northern Minnesota film ecosystem. Spearheaded by our co-founders, each with a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the region, we are committed to nurturing local talent and supporting the growth of the industry.
Karl Gajdusek
Karl is a writer, showrunner, and executive producer whose work spans feature films and television. His film credits include The King’s Man for Fox/Disney, His Only Living Boy for Amazon Studios, Courage for Netflix, Oblivion starring Tom Cruise, The November Man, Trespass, and the adaptation of Salvation Day for E1 Entertainment. His television work includes serving as Showrunner and Executive Producer for Season 1 of Stranger Things, creating ABC’s Last Resort, and developing Riverview with Darren Aronofsky at HBO. As a founding member of Lost Forty Studios, Karl brings deep industry experience and helps guide the studio’s creative development and long-term strategic vision. He collaborates with regional partners to expand opportunities for filmmakers and to elevate the profile of the Upper Midwest as a place to produce ambitious content. Originally from Northern California, he now lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two sons.
Matt Roy
Matt is a northern Minnesota based producer, actor, and director. His project credits include I Am Not a Serial Killer, Wilson, In An Instant, Mogadishu, Minnesota, and Bough Brothers. As a producer, his work includes Nina of the Woods, A Badlands Girl, Sanctified, Terms and Conditions, and The Fun-Raiser. A founding member of Lost Forty Studios, Matt has been a driving force in the development of the northern Minnesota film ecosystem. He leads the creation and ongoing expansion of hands-on crew education and works closely with the Upper Midwest Film Office and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board to support the region’s growing film industry. He currently lives in Grand Rapids with his son and daughter.
Nickolaus Swedlund
Nickolaus is a writer, director, and producer trained at the AFI Conservatory. His feature credits include All The Time In The World (2015), Bough Brothers (2022), and the North Dakota western Sanctified (2022). After a decade in Los Angeles, he returned to Minneapolis to work across commercial and narrative production and to teach film at several local universities. As one of the founding members of Lost Forty Studios, he has played a central role in building hands-on crew education and in strengthening the region’s film ecosystem. His work focuses on developing opportunities for new filmmakers and expanding sustainable production capacity in the Upper Midwest. He currently lives in Minneapolis.
