The Finnish industry body FAVEX (Finnish Film & Audiovisual Export) headed by Johanna Karppinen (pictured) has changed its name to Audiovisual Finland. 

"Our old name often required a lot of explanation and the acronym FAVEX was not very clear,” acknowledged Karppinen. But the organisation’s mission remains the same: to boost the internationalisation and growth of Finnish film & TV industry. 

“While the Finnish Film Foundation’s international department handles the promotion of Finnish films on a cultural standpoint, our goal is to support producers with their commercial activities, via specific export initiatives and assistance during TV markets such as MIPTV and MIPCOM. But we also collaborate on some projects, such as ‘Getting It Made for the US Market” which was launched last August to help Finnish producers develop business opportunities in the US”, explains Karppinen. 

Among the association’s main goal in 2016 is to lobby the government to introduce fiscal incentives for film & TV productions shot in Finland.