Topical in Finnish Film 6/2010

This is the June 2010 edition of the Topical in Finnish Film newsletter of the Finnish Film Foundation, published in the beginning of each month. The aim of this newsletter is to present a short summary of current national news, such as the next premieres and local audience figures, as well as to give you some advance information of internationally important events and dates coming up during the next few weeks.

Local films have reached almost 800 000 admissions in 2010

By May 31, local films in Finland have reached a total of 798 761 admissions during the year 2010. The number one local hit of early 2010 have been Ricky Rapper and the Bicycle Thief by Mari Rantasila with 310 744 admissions by May 31.

Premiering in June-August: Gimme Some Respect, Moomins and the Comet Chase, Run Sister Run!

The next local premiere is Gimme Some Respect by Pekka Karjalainen, opening on June 11. The local premieres in August are Moomins and the Comet Chase by Maria Lindberg and Run Sister Run! by Marja Pyykkö.

Midnight Sun Film Festival celebrates 25^th anniversary

The legendary Midnight Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä, Finland, takes place on June 16-20, 2010 for the 25^th time. The festival is known for screening side by side old classics and new gems.

Espoo Ciné offers European focus in August

Espoo Ciné International Film Festival, traditionally focusing on new European cinema, takes place during August 20-29 for the 21^st time.

Forbidden Fruit, Over the Fence, The Painting Sellers, Steam of Life and Shadow of the Holy Book awarded in May

In May, Forbidden Fruit by Dome Karukoski, Steam of Life by Joonas Berghäll & Mika Hotakainen as well as Shadow of the Holy Book by Arto Halonen won two international awards each. The Cannes Cinéfondation First Prize went to The Painting Sellers by Juho Kuosmanen and the Best Fiction award of the international competition of Curtocircuito festival in Spain to Over the Fence by Hamy Ramezan.

International festivals and awards in figures - January-April 2010

Finnish titles handled by the Finnish Film Foundation were invited during the first third of the year 2010 altogether 264 times to be screened at an international film festival or other event, and won altogether 21 international awards.

The next edition of Topical in Finnish Film is published in September 2010. We wish you a sunny summer!

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