Akkanen received the prestigious industry award on Friday from the Finnish Chamber of Films (Filmikamari) regrouping the Finnish Film Distributors Association and the Finnish Cinema Association. 

Since 1969 to the present day, Akkanen has worked for major US and Finnish companies, including Columbia Films, Helsinki Filmi, Warner-Columbia Films, Valio Filmi, Suomi Filmi / Walt Disney, CIC/UIP (Paramount, MGM, Universal, DreamWorks SKG), Diana Filmi, FS Film (20th Century Fox, Svensk Filmindustri), Lunaris, Bio Rex Cinemas, MRP Matila Röhr Productions. 

In recent years, Akkanen has also worked as a consultant for Nordisk Film & TV Fond, on the media relations and promotion of the Nordic Council Film Prize in Finland. 

Akkanen also received a Certificate of Honour from the Finnish Critics' Association in 1997 in recognition of his merits. In 1994, he was the first UIP Marketing Manager in the Nordic countries to receive the Achievement Award from Paramount Pictures, MGM and Universal Pictures. 

The Finnish Chamber of Films’ Golden Medal was awarded for the 59th time. Last year’s recipient was film mogul and producer Markus Selin (Solar Films). 

Three questions to Jorma Akkanen:

In your amazing career, what have been the key moments  - films, encounters- that have impacted you most?
J.A: UIP’s 1982-2003 years, when I was able to meet in person many Hollywood luminaries such as directors including Steven Spielberg, Mel Brooks, Sydney Pollack, Ron Howard, producers like Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, George Lucas and stars including Meryl Streep , Harrison Ford, Anne Bancroft, Tom Cruise and many more. It was a luxury.

What are the essential marketing tools that were in place in the heyday of traditional distribution that are still valid today?
J.A: Print media (daily/evening papers and weekly/monthly magazines) was an important tool at the time for both TV advertising and outdoor advertising. Now print media has been replaced by online advertising and social media, TV advertising still holds its own, as well as outdoor advertising. The cooperation with film partners and brands is as important.

What are your biggest hopes for the film industry (and especially in Finland) going forward?
J.A.: Hopefully we can get back to normal life again in Finland and everywhere. Cinemas have been the first to screen new films for over a hundred years, and I hope it will continue for another hundred years and online services will not get over the neck, because movies are at their best in movie theatres.