The producer and co-founder of Citizen Jane Productions, is set to join the Finnish public broadcaster’s drama division in February 2021.

Pohjola has produced more than 20 titles over the last 11 years, such as the film Life after Death by Klaus Härö, documentary Maiden of the Lake by Petteri Saario, and the live action children’s film Pony and Birdboy. 

At Yle Drama, she will be responsible for feature film commissioning with producer Piia Nokelainen.  From spring 2021, she will also oversee Yle’s film acquisitions and co-productions for Yle’s various TV channels and streamer Yle Areena.

Pohjola will replace seasoned executive Erkki Astala, and work alongside Nokelainen, producer-feature films, Sari Volanen, producer-short films (fiction/non-fiction), Erkko Lyytinen and Jenny Westergård, producers-documentary films (features and series) and in-house screenwriter Leena Kemppi. 

Ville Vilén, Director of Yle’s Creative Content and Media said: “We are experiencing major upheavals in film financing, production and distribution, which is why it is crucial to have a top player in film production. Pohjola manages the entire production cycle, from film development, financing, through production, marketing and distribution.”

Pohjola added: “The importance of Yle's film commissioning and co-productions of local films has been and will continue to be substantial. It means that Yle also has a major responsibility in deciding whose stories are told. One of my missions is to ensure that even more diverse voices will be heard in the future.”

Once Pohjola will join the Finnish broadcasting group, she will leave her company Citizen Jane Productions in the hands of co-owner and producer Leila Lyytikäinen. “I'm more than happy when I know that Leila will run the company, which means that Citizen Jane Productions will be in the best possible hands. The company is stronger and busier than ever, with lots of interesting productions in our slate”, she said.  The company is in the middle of shooting the coming-of-age film Friday by Alli Haapasalo, about three teenage girls who experience live-changing moments during three Friday nights. In the starring roles are Linnea Leino (Dragonslayer666), Aamu Milonoff (Stupid Young Heart, Little Wing) and Eleonoora Kauhanen (Sugarhoneybaby). The film will be released by Nordisk Film in the fall 2021.