The first feature film about Moomin creator Tove Jansson is currently filming in Helsinki for Finnish production house Helsinki filmi.

Based on a screenplay by Eeva Putro, Zaida Bergroth’s Tove centres on the iconic Finnish author’s formative years in post-war Helsinki, her fight for artistic recognition and her passionate bisexual love affair.  LevelK handles sales. 

Alma Pöysti who appeared in the films Naked Harbour, Flowers of Evil and the Danish series Liberty, will embody the free-spirited artist Tove Jansson. She said: "The story behind the beloved artist and author Tove Jansson is an exceptional one. I am thrilled to be a part of this ambitious production, exploring her inner calling as well as the struggles she faced during her formative years, demanding her to be brave and honest in her art as well as in her love life. Tove Jansson is an inspirational, deep and enchanting woman, a pacifistic superhero of our times.”

Krista Kosonen (Beforeigners, Dogs Don’t Wear Pants), plays Vivica, based on real life theatre director and Tove Jansson’s first female lover Vivica Fammy Bandler, who inspired the author for the Moomin character Bob. Swedish born Shanti Roney (Quicksand, Arne Dahl) is Atos Kasimir Wirtanen who was a left-wing intellectual, journalist, MP, and Tove Jansson’s partner.

Filming in the Finnish capital will last until February 18, with one day extra filming in Paris. Tove is produced Andrea Reuter and Aleksi Bardy of Helsinki filmi, in co-production with Anagram Sweden, support from the Finnish Film Foundation, Business Finland, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, the Swedish Film Institute, SVT, YLE, Eurimages, Creative Europe, Svenska Kulturfonden, Konstsamfundet, Tre Smeder and Svenska Folkskolans Vänner. Nordisk Film Distribution will handle rights in the Nordic region.