Sm₂Fe₁₇N_x film magnets were prepared using a Sm₂Fe₁₇ target in a N₂ gas atmosphere using a Nd-YAG pulsed laser ablation technique. The effect of nitrogen pressure, deposition temperature, pulse time and film thickness on the structure and magnetic properties of Sm₂Fe₁₇N_x film were studied. Increasing the nitrogen pressure up to 5 atm led to the formation of complete Sm₂Fe₁₇N_x compound. Optimized magnetic properties with the nitrogenation temperature in the range 500-530 ℃ could be obtained by extending the nitrogenation time up to 4 hours. Relatively low coercivities of 400~600 Oe were found in Sm₂Fe₁₇N_x films 50~100 nm thick, while a 4πM_s of 10~12 kG could be achieved. In-plane anisotropy, which was the basic goal in this study, was achieved by controlling the nitrogenation parameters.