Dominating the evening at the Jussi-gala was the low-key drama-comedy Family Time

The Finnish Jussi Awards celebrated its 80th anniversary in Helsinki on Friday, March 22nd. The dry humour comedy-drama Family Time (Mummola) won the most notable awards, including Best Script, Best Director and Best Film.

Writer and director Tia Kouvo presents the story of an annual Christmas family gathering. Tensions rise between three generations of Finns celebrating Christmas at a cottage. Family Time, which is based on a 2018 short film of the same name, marked Tia Kouvo’s debut as a feature film director. A Finnish native, Kouvo studied film in Gothenburg, and graduated from the Valand Academy in 2018. Family Time is a Finnish-Swedish co-production by Aamu Film Company, Vilda Bomben Film and Film i Väst.

The action film Sisu, directed by Jalmari Helander, won the most awards, four in total, for best cinematography, editing, production design and make-up. Another significant winner was Je’vida, directed by Katja Gauriloff, which won three prizes. This film is notable as the first feature film entirely in the Skolt Sámi dialect, and it is supported by NFTVF.

Alma Pöysti went home with the Jussi for Best Leading Role, for her part in the polyamory story Four Little Adults(Neljä pientä aikuista). This year marked the second time the acting categories at Jussi awards were not divided by gender.

Surprisingly, the film Fallen Leaves (Kuolleet lehdet), written and directed by renowned Aki Kaurismäki, did not win any Jussi-awards. This is despite being the fourth most-watched film in Finland in 2023, winning the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving two Golden Globe-nominations, and earning widespread international recognition.

Finland's national film awards have been presented since 1944. To mark the 80th anniversary, a new category was introduced, allowing the audience to vote for their favourite actor. The award went to Linnea Leino for her role in Lapua 1976, a film about a munition factory accident that claimed 40 lives.

In addition to the main categories, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Concrete-Jussi, was given to actor Kati Outinen, a veteran with 40 years of acting experience. The jury described her work as exhibiting courage, unconventionality and curiosity.

The Jussi Gala also awarded the Nordisk Film Prize, worth 20,000 euros, to Suvi West and Anssi Kömi for their film Máhccan – Homecoming. The prize recognises filmmakers who have elevated the level of filmmaking and enriched Finnish film culture. The jury praised the film, which portrays contemporary Sámi culture, as an important, modern and skilfully made work.

The full list of winners of Jussi awards 2024:

FILM OF THE YEAR

Family Time – producers Jussi Rantamäki, Emilia Haukka/Aamu Film Company

DIRECTING

Tia Kouvo – Family Time

LEADING ROLE

Alma Pöysti – Four Little Adults

SUPPORTING ROLE

Jari Virman – Death is a Problem for the Living (Peluri – Kuolema on Elävien Ongelma)

NEWCOMER IN ACTING

Rebekka Baer – Light Light Light (Valoa Valoa Valoa)

AUDIENCE FAVORITE IN ACTING

Linnea Leino – Lapua 1976

SCRIPT

Tia Kouvo – Family Time

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Kjell Lagerroos – Sisu

MUSIC

Laura Naukkarinen – Je’vida

SOUND DESIGN

Jukka Nurmela, Timo Peltola – Je’vida

EDITING

Juho Virolainen – Sisu

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Otso Linnalaakso – Sisu

COSTUME DESIGN

Anu Pirilä – Je’vida

MAKE-UP DESIGN

Salla Yli-Luopa – Sisu

DOCUMENTARY FILM

Máhccan – Homecoming

Directors Suvi West, Anssi Kömi, producer Janne Niskala/Vaski Filmi

SHORT FILM

How to Please – director Elina Talvensaari