This newsletter shares the good news of the Finnish films and TV series once a month. The content is intended to be an interesting news roundup both for separate newsletter subscribers and for media representatives interested in films and TV series.
April brought strong international visibility for the Finnish film and TV industry. Fjord was selected for the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival, Finnish talent was also featured in the La Cinef section, and Roosa Söderholm won Best Actress at Canneseries. Funding and development are being boosted by support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond as well as a new co-financing model by MUBI and IPR.VC for European films. Nordic Ecological Standard (NES) is being introduced across the Nordics and is steering productions toward more sustainable practices. In addition, Rabbit Films is taking the Camp North format global, and the Night Visions International Film Festival highlighted the growing international potential of Finnish genre cinema.
1. Short news about Finnish films and TV series in April 2026
Fjord (Vuono) has been selected for the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, directed by Cristian Mungiu, received Finnish backing from the Finnish Film Foundation and Finnish broadcasting company Yle, and was produced in part by Aamu Film Company. In addition, the film’s sound and costume design were carried out by Finnish professionals. Fjord tells the story of the devout Gheorghiu family, who move to a village in the Norwegian fjords. Even before filming began, the movie had already been sold to more than 50 countries.
Finnish talent will be showcased in the student film section of the Cannes Film Festival, as the short film 28 Days Left (TJ28) directed by Yasmin Najjar and written by Kasperi Riihimäki has been selected for the La Cinef competition. In the Aalto University student film, produced by Meri-Tuuli Varis, Palestinian Finnish Amani Lillak is completing her voluntary military service in the medical corps of the Finnish Army.
Sniper Simo Häyhä is Finland’s most internationally famous soldier from the World War 2. Filming for a Häyhä movie will begin in Finland in January 2027. The film is directed and written by Toni Kurkimäki and produced by Blankface. Jarkko Lahti will play the title role.
Nordisk Film & TV Fond has granted funding to three Finnish films. These are You Crazy Thing (Hulluna sinua rakastan, €260,000), directed by Miia Tervo; Lonesome Land (Raakkukuningas, €55,000), directed by Virpi Suutari; and Arja – My Choice to Sing (Arja, €36,000), directed by Marko Talli, which tells the story of famous singer Arja Saijonmaa.
At the Beijing International Film Festival, Finnish talent was represented by How to Shout (Huutamisen taito), a film directed and written by Josefina Rautiainen. It competed in the Forward Future section for new directors. Josefina Rautiainen won an award for the screenplay, and Katri Nikkola was awarded Best Costume Design.
The Finnish broadcasting company Yle’s original series Sneakermania competed at the Canneseries television festival, where it also had its international premiere. The eight-part series, centered on sneaker culture, marks Helsinki-based director Ima Iduozee’s first drama series and is produced by Helsinki-Filmi.
The TV series Guts (Kylmä kausi) was selected for the Canneseries television festival. Finnish actress Roosa Söderholm, one of the lead performers in this thriller set in the world of Finnish cross-country skiing, won the Best Actress award in the competition. The series, produced by Just Republic, was created and written by Jemina Jokisalo.
2. MUBI and IPR.VC launched a co-financing partnership to support European films
The streaming service and distribution company MUBI and Helsinki-based investment firm IPR.VC have entered into a multi-year co-financing agreement. Its aim is to support ambitious European films from development through to international distribution. The collaboration will launch with two highly anticipated auteur projects: Fatherland and Let Love In. The partnership combines IPR.VC’s long-term investment model with MUBI’s production, distribution, and audience platform, strengthening the position of European director-driven cinema at a time when financing has tightened and risk-taking has declined.
3. Nordic Environmental Standard NES to be introduced in audiovisual productions
A shared Nordic Ecological Standard (NES) will be introduced across the Nordic countries. It will guide film and TV productions toward more sustainable practices throughout the entire production chain. The standard includes dozens of concrete criteria covering areas such as energy use, travel, and material consumption. Its goal is to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint and harmonize practices across the Nordics. NES will be implemented in all Nordic countries during 2026. It will also gradually become a funding requirement for projects receiving production support. The new standard is seen as a significant step toward a more unified, responsible, and internationally competitive Nordic audiovisual industry.
4. Rabbit Films launches adventure reality format Camp North internationally
Finnish production company Rabbit Films has acquired the global distribution rights to the reality format Camp North (Suuri Seikkailu). Set in the landscapes of Lapland, the format follows 16 celebrities in a demanding competition that combines physical endurance, social gameplay, and psychological pressure. The international distribution agreement marks the first strategic collaboration between Rabbit Films and Fremantle Finland. Camp North has been designed to be easily adaptable for different markets, making it an attractive option for international buyers.
5. Genre filmmakers gathered at Night Visions Festival in Helsinki
The Night Visions International Film Festival held in Helsinki brought together Nordic genre filmmakers. They see the future of the field with cautious optimism despite ongoing challenges. Discussions highlighted that Finnish genre cinema – especially horror and action – has gained international interest, and its influence is increasingly visible in mainstream dramas as well. At the same time, creators pointed to funding difficulties and risk aversion, which may slow down the development of bold genre projects. Audiences are craving new, ambitious experiences, and genre films are well positioned to deliver them, making the coming years promising for the industry. More on the topic can be found in the blog post by the Nordisk Film & TV Fond.