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Embracing the unconventional: Finnish Weird’s debut at the Finnish Film Affair
A new platform for the bizarre and bold
In the heart of Helsinki, under the psychedelic lights of the historic Bio Rex theater, a new wave of creativity was unleashed. The inaugural Finnish Weird, affectionately dubbed F-Weird, made its debut at the Finnish Film Affair, running parallel to the Helsinki International Film Festival. This unique event was designed to showcase the most unusual, daring, and unexplored ideas across various formats, breaking away from traditional standards and embracing the unconventional.
Shaking up the traditional pitch
Alisha Hasan, head of the Finnish Film Affair, explained the motivation behind launching F-Weird. The event was conceived to expand upon the traditional pitching sessions in Helsinki, providing a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers to present their most outlandish ideas. “We wanted to be very inclusive,” Hasan noted. “We wanted to welcome those on the sidelines of the industry, those who don’t just make Nordic thrillers or crime series.”
A global call for the weird and wonderful
Initially intended as a platform for Finnish filmmakers, F-Weird quickly expanded its reach globally. “We live in a world without borders,” Hasan remarked. “Why couldn’t Helsinki become the capital of weird projects, where unique ideas that can’t be found anywhere else are celebrated?” The open call for submissions saw a flood of entries, with filmmakers eager to present their “niche ugly babies”—projects that defy categorization and are often impossible to pitch in traditional settings.
The two-minute pitch challenge
For its pilot edition, participants were required to pitch their projects in a brisk two-minute clip. This format allowed creators to unveil teasers, moodboards, eerie monologues, or even props, pushing the limits of the English language to describe their often hard-to-pin-down ideas.
Among the standout pitches was Miro Seppänen’s feature film “All Rise for the Dead,” a unique blend of zombie horror and courtroom drama. Jon Soldehed presented “No Man’s Land,” a medieval horror-action film. Milla Puolakanaho and Karoliina Gröndahl pitched “Postpartum — Payback Time,” a surreal reality show concept where non-birthing parents experience labor and the postpartum period through a special “birthing machine.”
Henri Oskár’s animated mockumentary “Humane Farming” was described as “‘BoJack Horseman,’ but in the style of ‘The Office,'” while Laura Hyppönen introduced “Raven,” a coming-of-age horror comedy, with the warning: ”This is where the weird shit begins.”
Industry recognition and future prospects
Eighteen projects were presented to an industry audience and a jury that included notable figures such as Elina Ahlbäck, founder and CEO of Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency; Jason Gutierrez, programming manager at Tribeca Film Festival; Samuel Boateng, a Finland-based cinematographer, screenwriter, and director; and Jarno Laasala, a Finnish TV producer, director, and host.
The feedback for the inaugural F-Weird has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve received so many thank you letters from filmmakers who feel acknowledged and no longer alone with their big-budget, weird, genre-defying visions,” Hasan shared. “In an industry facing massive challenges, we shouldn’t forget the creativity and fun that should be more present in our work. We went to film school to have fun and be creative, so let’s have more of that.”
Looking ahead
With its successful debut, F-Weird is expected to become a core component of future editions of the Finnish Film Affair. The event has already proven to be a vital platform for filmmakers with unconventional ideas, providing them with the opportunity to share their visions and connect with like-minded industry professionals.
Finnish Film Affair runs from September 25 to 27 in Helsinki.
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