Juha Wuolijoki's (pictured) Helsinki/New-York based Snapper Films has added distribution to its core business of film and television production and financing. Snapper Films Distribution intends to acquire Scandinavian rights to 5-10 films a year, mixing local productions with Scandinavian and English language titles.
Wuolijoki is managing the new company with Sari Leinala, who has over the past two decades worked for major distribution groups such as Warner Brothers, UIP and Scanbox Finland. "It's an exciting time to be in distribution in Scandinavia and with our solid team of experienced professionals we look forward to bringing quality local and international films to the Scandinavian territory," said Wuolijoki. "We have received a lot of interest and positive reactions to our new venture in Berlin, also because we are keen to develop innovative marketing campaigns for our films, the way we did with Christmas Story (top grossing Finnish film of 2007) and now Ella and Friends".
Currently playing on Finnish screens, Taneli Mustonen's Ella and Friends based on Timo Parvela's children's book series, has sold over 85,000 tickets since its December 28, 2012 release. The sequel Ella and Friends 2: Paterock is slated for late 2013.
Wuolijoki's own new film after Christmas Story and the local period biopic Hella W is the English language Zarra's Law starring Tony Sirico (Goodfellas) and Brendan Fehr (X-Men). The story of two brothers on opposite side of the law is in post-production. No definite Finnish release date has been set yet.