$Sm_2Fe_{17}N_x$ film magnets were prepared using a $Sm_2Fe_{17}$ target in a $N_2$ 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 $Sm_2Fe_{17}N_x$ film were studied. Increasing the nitrogen pressure up to 5 atm led to the formation of complete $Sm_2Fe_{17}N_x$ compound. Optimized magnetic properties with the nitrogenation temperature in the range 500-53$0^{circ}C$ could be obtained by extending the nitrogenation time up to 4 hours. Relatively low coercivities of 400~600 Oe were found in $Sm_2Fe_{17}N_x$films 50~100 m thick, while a $4piM_s$ of 10$sim$12 kG could be achieved. In-plane anisotropy, which was the basic goal in this study, was achieved by controlling the nitrogenation parameters.