Close to 2,4 million euros of production support to 12 new films

Altogether 49 projects applied for production support.

Image: from the film Finding Kvens (Näkymätön kansa). Photographer: Hallstein Guthu.

The Board of the Finnish Film Foundation gave 2,375,000 euros of production support to 12 applications. The projects include three feature films, seven documentary films and two short films. Two of the documentary films are minority co-productions.

NB: The support sums below include development and production support

Feature films

Cancel 2 Director: Tuukka Temonen Scriptwriters: Olli Koivula, Tuukka Temonen Producers: Hanna Virolainen, Jukka Helle, Markus Selin, Arttu Lindeman Production company: Solar Films Support sum: 180,000 euros

Social media superstars Santtu and Weksi once again find themselves caught in a situation where the threat of cancellation has grown so large that it now endangers all of Finland. Recruited to uncover the culprit, they follow a trail of clues that leads them into a fast-paced adventure full of unexpected twists. Can this unlikely duo turn the situation around, save their own future, protect their fellow creators, and secure the future of everyone who uses social media?

Elektra Director: Elisa Kujala Scriptwriter: Reeta Ruotsalainen Producer: Nora Kuusisto Production company: Dionysos Films Support sum: 897,000 euros

A brilliant young game developer, Emma, fights to bring her dream project to life, only to discover that the greatest threat to her success lies not in the toxic workplace around her, but within her own ambition.

Imaginary Boyfriend (Mielikuvituspoikaystävä) Director: Mari Rantasila Scriptwriter: Tua Harno Producers: Marko Talli, Janne Lähteenmäki Production company: Yellow Film & TV Support sum: 650,000 euros

Documentary Films

Cruise minority co-production US-FI Director & scriptwriter: Catharine Axley Finnish co-producer: Handle Productions Production company: Molt Films (United States) Support sum: 55,000 euros

A young chef from India dreams of working on a ship; a taxi driver calls out to catch the attention of a passenger in The Bahamas; a metalworker shares a celebratory drink before the launch of a new ship in Finland. Cruise shows the global industry through an ensemble of locals, to experience the real world implications and unintended consequences of an industry selling fantasy vacations at sea.

Finding Kvens (Näkymätön kansa) Director & scriptwriter: Einari Paakkanen Producers: Marianne Mäkelä Production company: napafilms Support sum: 155,000 euros

KIRKA: The Life and Spirit of Kirill Babitzin (Kirkastus) Director: Tommi E. Virtanen Scriptwriters: Tommi E. Virtanen, Juha Karvanen Producer: Marko Talli Production company: Yellow Film & TV Support sum: 115,000 euros

The untold story of Kirka, Finland’s beloved singer, whose journey from the son of Russian immigrants to a national icon became a lifelong search for identity and belonging.

Näyttelijä Director & scriptwriter: Veikko Aaltonen Producers: Misha Jaari, Mark Lwoff Production company: Bufo Support sum: 45,000 euros

Terveet Kädet – Still Going Strong (Terveet Kädet) Directors: Jukka Kärkkäinen, Otso Alanko Scriptwriters: Jukka Kärkkäinen, Toni Pasanen, Esa Valkeajärvi Producers: Juha Löppönen Production company: Mouka Filmi Support sum: 178,000 euros

A film about Finland’s most famous and longest-running hardcore punk band, Terveet Kädet. As punk music turns 50, Terveet Kädet is still going strong, even though there has been a lot of member turnover. The band’s frontman and only permanent member, Läjä, is retiring and has time to focus on his creative work for once. For the other band members, this means a big change, will the band continue or what does the future hold?

USA vs. Europe minority co-production DK-FI Director & scriptwriter: Christoffer Guldbrandsen Finnish co-producer: Polygraf Production company: Wingman Media (Denmark) Support sum: 60,000 euros

USA vs. Europe is the story of Denmark and Greenland at the moment when the existing world order begins to fracture. When Donald Trump declares that Greenland should come under American control, it triggers a political crisis that forces both Denmark and Greenland to renegotiate their relationship with each other—and with the world they are part of.

White Swan – the Legacy of the Fluit Ship Director: Hanna Hemilä Scriptwriter: Beata Harju Producers: Hanna Hemilä, Beata Harju Production company: Handle Films Support sum: 140,000 euros

An international volunteer scientific diving group, that helps maritime researchers map and scan WW2 shipwrecks for oil leaks in the Baltic Sea, encounters a much older shipwreck — one that unravels early globalization, and our weak ability to protect this fragile maritime history.

Short Films

Fuck Jorma Director & scriptwriter: Antti Holma Producer: Sirkka Rautiainen Production company: Delta Stories Scandinavia Support sum: 75,000 euros

Pulupäiväkirjat Director & scriptwriter: Iina Harmu Producer: Johan-Sebastian Rintala Production company: Fragile Ego Films Support sum: 10,000 euros