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.
In August, the Finnish film and television industry strengthened its international visibility through festivals, industry markets and new distribution deals. Ten Finnish films were selected for the Nordisk Panorama competitions, two Bufo productions will premiere at Fantastic Fest, and Finnish Film Affair will present 38 Nordic film and television projects to international buyers and financiers. Rabbit Films is taking its thriller series Healer to the global market, while Max Seeck’s The Faithful Reader is moving forward as a Hollywood series directed by Danny Cannon. Finland’s position is further reinforced by two Finnish finalists in the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge, the launch of The Freyas awards in Helsinki and the nomination of A Light That Never Goes Out for the Nordic Council Film Prize.
1. Short news about Finnish films and TV series in August 2026
Ten Finnish films will compete at the Nordisk Panorama film festival in Malmö in September. They have been selected across four categories, with no fewer than seven Finnish productions or co-productions competing in the documentary category.
The thriller Dor – Dissidents of the Republic was presented at the Locarno Film Festival’s Match Me! program. The story follows a Helsinki-based writer who fears he is under surveillance, only to discover that the threat is closer than he imagined. Director Hadi Nikzad of Lumina Films is seeking Nordic and Mediterranean co-producers to help move the project forward.
Fantastic Fest, the largest genre film festival in the United States, will take place in Austin in September. Ilja Rautsi’s Red Snow (Punaista Lunta) will have its world premiere at the festival, while Markus Lehmusruusu’s The Squirrel (Orava) will receive its international premiere. Both films are produced by Bufo.
Finnish director Elisa Kujala’s film Elektra received the MIDPOINT Talent Award at the Norwegian International Film Festival. Produced by Nora Kuusisto of Dionysos Films, the film follows game developer Emma as she uses her ambition to confront the misogynistic attitudes of her male colleagues.
You Crazy Thing, directed by Miia Tervo and produced by Yellow Film & TV, was presented at the Norwegian International Film Festival. The film featured in the New Nordic Films program, which showcases Nordic feature films to international buyers, festivals, distributors and other industry professionals.
Rabbit Films is taking the Elisa Viihde thriller Healer (Parantaja) to the international market both as a finished series and as a scripted format. The company is also seeking locally adapted international versions, opening up new commercial opportunities for the Finnish series concept.
A novel from bestselling Finnish author Max Seeck’s popular Jessica Niemi series, The Faithful Reader (Uskollinen lukija), is being adapted into an international television series produced in Hollywood. Danny Cannon, known for his work on the CSI franchise, will serve as lead director and executive producer. French media group Mediawan will handle worldwide distribution.
2. Finnish Film Affair puts Finland’s international ambitions in the spotlight
Finland’s largest film festival, Love & Anarchy, returns in September accompanied by its industry event Finnish Film Affair. This year, more than 500 professionals will discover 38 film and television projects, with a strong focus on Finnish productions seeking international financing, distribution and co-production partners. Highlights include Good Times, Lex Julia, Halima and Lapland War, six Finnish series led by the Finnish-Icelandic Tango Metal, and four Finnish genre films selected for the new Nordic Genre Lab. Together, the program shows how Finnish projects are building international partnerships from the development stage onwards.
3. The Freyas – Nordic Film & TV Awards to debut in Helsinki
The new annual The Freyas – Nordic Film & TV Awards will be held for the first time at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki in September, before moving to other Nordic countries in subsequent years. The award categories include Best Nordic Film and Best Nordic Television Series, with further categories to be announced soon. The event aims to build a bridge between Nordic creators and the international film and television industry. It was initiated by Nordic industry professionals based in Los Angeles.
4. Two of the five European finalists in the San Sebastián Festival startup competition are Finnish
Ten finalists have been selected from 68 applicants for the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge, taking place during the San Sebastián Festival in September. Five finalists come from Spain and five from elsewhere in Europe, including two from Finland. THELMA uses technology to detect the unauthorised online use of public figures’ image, voice and identity, helping to protect their privacy. Meanwhile, Virtual Location Scouting uses augmented reality technology for remote location scouting and production planning.
5. A Light That Never Goes Out vies for the Nordic Council Film Prize
A Light That Never Goes Out (Jossain on valo joka ei sammu), written and directed by Lauri-Matti Parppei, has been selected as Finland’s nominee for the 2026 Nordic Council Film Prize. It will compete against five other Nordic productions, with the winner to be announced in Helsinki at the end of October. The film’s producer, Ilona Tolmunen, has also just been named Film Producer of the Year at Screen Helsinki 2026.