Finnish Film Affair unveils 45 promising projects from the Nordics and beyond

The Finnish Film Affair (FFA), the industry event of Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy, is set to return for its 14th edition (24–26 September 2025) with its signature Showcase Day on Thursday 25 September. A total of 45 projects from Finland, the Nordic countries and further afield will be presented across six categories.

Selections were made by the new Head of Industry Lydia Taylerson, together with international experts Angeliki Petrou (Thessaloniki International Film Festival) and Oli Harbottle (Dogwoof) for documentaries, and Claire Willats (Two Magpies Entertainment) and Mathias Noschis (Alphapanda) for fiction. “The project selections this year were really tough, simply because there were so many strong candidates with compelling perspectives and bold stories. In fact, our Fiction in Development and Documentary open calls both received almost twice as many projects compared to last year,” noted Taylerson.

The Fiction in Progress line-up spotlights six Finnish projects in advanced production stages, from filmmakers Antti J. Jokinen, Alli Haapasalo, Aleksi Salmenperä, Dome Karukoski, Selma Vilhunen, and Aku Louhimies. Meanwhile, nine Finnish Fiction in Development titles include a new project by Lauri-Matti Parppei, following his Cannes ACID entry A Light That Never Goes Out (Jossain on valu joka ei sammu). Other selected directors are Anna Blom, AJ Annila, Anssi Kömi, Ninni Saajola, Mara Tamkovich, along with previous FFA pitchers Suvi West, known for Homecoming (Máhccan); Niklas Lindgren, known for Bad Women (Huonot Naiset); Aino Suni, known for Heartbeast (Pulse); and Khadar Ahmed, known for The Gravedigger’s Wife (Guled & Nasra).

The Documentary Showcase features nine new Finnish non-fiction projects, spanning themes from Sápmi rap to family stories and animated explorations of the brain. Filmmakers include Shakiba Adil, Miina Alajärvi, Arezo Ariapoor, Liinu Grönlund, Elina Hirvonen, Anu Kuivalainen, Sanna Liinamaa, Jukka Metsäaho, Hanna Nordenswan, Okku Nuutilainen, Jyri Paajamaa, and Juha Suonpää.

The Nordic Selection highlights five projects from across the region: Mads Mengel (Denmark) explores family dynamics; Lars Vega (Sweden) blends sci-fi, drama and comedy; Graeme Maley (Iceland) sets his story in the theatre world; Jakob H. Svensen (Norway) delves into unresolved childhood memories; and Pekka Ollula (Finland) presents a rural romantic zombie horror comedy.

In partnership with APFI, Yle, the Finnish Film Foundation and AVEK, the Focus on Finland pitching series introduces six TV series in development, covering genres from thrillers to animation.

FFA also welcomes back its daring F-Weird section, showcasing 10 unconventional projects from Finland, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Germany, Greece, and the USA. Subjects range from a child-eating giant to a sauna ghost and a politician’s transformation into a dodo. Filmmakers include Ali Charmi, Vilja Autiokyrö, Juha Ilmari Laine, Toni Kurkimäki, Minos Nikolakakis, Margo Nowicka, Milla Puolakanaho, Samra Šabanović, Olli Salmi, and Guillermo Vejar.

Three distinguished juries will award the best projects. The Fiction and Nordic jury comprises Aleksandra Zakharchenko (Marché du Film), Jim Kolmar (SXSW), and Marike Muselaers (Nordisk Film Production). Documentary jurors are Katre Kajamäe-Gupta (Eurimages), Jason Ryle (Toronto IFF), and Natalie Campbell-Reid(Together Films). F-Weird will be judged by Claire Willats (Two Magpies Entertainment), Javier Puerto Garcia (Tallinn Black Nights), and Maria Sol (Moving People & Images).

Find out more about the projects: CLICK HERE.

Finally, it is worthwhile mentioning that FFA and the Helsinki International Film Festival will also host the screenings of the Nordic Council Film Prize nominated films. This year’s nominees are Sylvia Le Fanu’s My Eternal Summer (Min Evige Sommer), Arthur Franck’s The Helsinki Effect, Sakaris Stórá’s The Last Paradise on Earth (Seinasta paradís á jørð), Rúnar Rúnarsson’s When the Light Breaks (Ljósbrot), Sofie Rørdam and Nina Paninnguaq Skydsbjerg’s WALLS – Akinni Inuk, Dag Johan Haugerud’s Dreams (Drømmer), and Göran Hugo Olsson’s Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989 (Israel Palestina på svensk tv 1958-1989).