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.
Finland’s film and TV industry enjoyed strong international momentum in January. Finnish productions were seen and continue to be showcased at top-tier festivals from Berlin and Gothenburg to Rotterdam and Clermont-Ferrand. Finnish financing and expertise also gained global attention, with IPR.VC backing the nine-time Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme and Banijay taking a Finnish TV format into international distribution. Major domestic productions such as Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo and Lapland War, along with the new Focus on Finland export initiative, further strengthen Finland’s image as an ambitious, versatile, and increasingly visible player in the global content landscape.
1. Short news about Finnish films and TV series in January 2026
Nightborn (Yön lapsi), directed by Hanna Bergholm and produced by Komeetta, has been selected for the main competition of the Berlinale, where it will compete for the Golden Bear. The Berlinale is one of the world’s three most significant film festivals, and it is extremely rare for a Finnish film to be selected for the main competition.
Finnish films were strongly represented at the Göteborg Film Festival in January. Tell Everyone (Kerro kaikille), directed by Alli Haapasalo, competed in the Nordic Competition section and had its world premiere there. The documentary film Silent Legacy (Katseiden alla), directed by Jenni Kivistö and Jussi Rastas, competed in the Nordic Documentary Competition section.
The ongoing International Film Festival Rotterdam has included three Finnish film productions in its programme. Earth Song (Maan laulu), directed by Erol Mintaş, The Kidnapping of a President (Kyyditys), directed by Samuli Valkama, and Nox, directed by Matti Harju, reinforce Finland’s reputation as a country of bold and experimental filmmaking.
Actor, writer and director Tiina Lymi is nominated for the Nordic Series Script Award 2026 for her six-episode drama series Queen of Fucking Everything. Award is presented annually and is financed by Nordisk Film & TV Fond.
Veera Lamminpää’s animated short film Fish River Anthology (Mereneläviä) and her upcoming film Odd Birds (Outolinnut) will be screened this week at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. The festival is France’s leading event dedicated to short films.
CPH:FORUM has unveiled its 2026 selection including documentary project Bromansky by documentary director and screenwriter Arthur Franck.
The six-part TV series Hildur premiered in Finland in January. This chilling crime drama is based on Satu Rämö’s best-selling novel and follows a young detective hunting a serial killer in Iceland’s Westfjords. International sales for the series are handled by Cineflix.
2. Nine-time Oscar nominee Marty Supreme is backed by Finnish investor IPR.VC
Finnish-led film and TV investor IPR.VC stepped into the international spotlight in January when Marty Supreme (Unelmoi isosti), directed by Josh Safdie, received nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. The film is produced by A24, with IPR.VC participating as a financier. From a Finnish perspective, IPR.VC’s role is highly exceptional as the company is involved in a top-tier production at the heart of the Oscar season and brings institutional capital into film and TV productions. It remains rare and particularly noteworthy in Europe.
3. A new TV format for international distribution
Banijay Entertainment announced that it is taking All Star Hide and Seek, a format developed by Finnish content creator Roni Bäck, into international distribution. The project is a rare example of a format concept originating from a Finnish social media influencer that is seen as having potential as a global TV and streaming product. It broadens the perception of Finnish expertise beyond traditional drama and film.
4. Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo premiered in Finland
The long-awaited historical fantasy film Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo, directed by Antti J. Jokinen, premiered in Finland in January. The film is based on the Kalevala’s tale of Kullervo and features visually rich storytelling and large-scale production inspired by Finnish mythology. Finland’s national epic Kalevala famously inspired J. R. R. Tolkien in the creation of The Lord of the Rings. The film is produced by Reel Media and Finland Storm, with international sales handled by Reinvent Yellow.
5. Lapland War heads to international sales
The historical epic Lapland War, directed by Aku Louhimies, has moved into international sales with the German company Beta Cinema. One of Europe’s most respected sales companies, Beta Cinema’s involvement places the film directly into the international festival and distribution conversation.
6. Focus on Finland export initiative networks at international industry events
The new export initiative Focus on Finland brings together key Finnish audiovisual players, including Yle, the Finnish Film Foundation, and Elisa Viihde. These organisations promote the international visibility of Finnish drama and documentary content at major industry events such as TV Drama Vision in Gothenburg and the Berlinale Series Market. This significant joint export effort will further raise Finland’s profile in the international content landscape in 2026.
The GFFTN newsletter is compiled and distributed by the PR agency Visionist from publicly available news sources over the course of about a month.