Finnish Film Affair: Nordic Genre & Docs Shine

Finland's premier international film and TV drama market, the Finnish Film Affair (FFA), is scheduled to run from September 23-25 in Helsinki, coinciding with the Helsinki Intl. Film Festival. The event will present 38 diverse projects from the Nordic region and internationally, with a significant focus on genre-bending content and documentaries.

This year's market introduces a new partnership with the Nordic Genre Lab, aimed at developing eight Nordic genre pictures. This initiative, co-founded by Laura Laaksonen and Claire Willats, partly replaces the 'Finnish Weird' section to champion quality genre content. The program will feature pitches from established and emerging filmmakers, including works by Aku Louhimies, Virpi Suutari, and Pamela Tola.

The documentary slate includes Virpi Suutari's "Lonesome Land" and features on diverse topics like WW2 Italian men and fallen Olympians. Scripted projects span various genres, with "Lex Julia" selected as one of four Nordic entries. The series session will present six titles ranging from thrillers to animation.

Record submissions indicate Finland's appeal as a production hub, with a notable increase in European co-productions. This trend underscores the necessity for Finnish producers to seek international funding due to limited national public funding. The FFA also offers masterclasses and mentorship through programs like Nordic Flair, featuring industry experts discussing budgeting, financing, and distribution.