2021-2022

The Road Not Taken

by Sam Boateng

Four friends pass by a store to buy some things for a fun day at the park. An incident will happen that will change the entire dynamic and mood of the group, bringing up past traumas, misunderstandings, and unsolved issues.

Four friends pass by a store to buy some things for a fun day at the park. An incident will happen that will change the entire dynamic and mood of the group, bringing up past traumas, misunderstandings, and unsolved issues.

The Road Not Taken

by Sam Boateng
Sam Boateng. was born and raised in Italy by Ghanaian parents. He moved to Finland in 2016 to start a new chapter of his life and to challenge him self in a new way. Now he is focusing and working to change the narrative through storytelling as a Director, Cinematographer/Videographer & writer of Filmmaking , Docufilmmaking & Social media Content creation. My main desire as a filmmaker is to talk about social issues that are not often talked about.
Sam Boateng. was born and raised in Italy by Ghanaian parents. He moved to Finland in 2016 to start a new chapter of his life and to challenge him self in a new way. Now he is focusing and working to change the narrative through storytelling as a Director, Cinematographer/Videographer & writer of Filmmaking , Docufilmmaking & Social media Content creation. My main desire as a filmmaker is to talk about social issues that are not often talked about.

Year: 2023 / Language: English / Duration: 9’36” / Director: Sam Boateng / Producers: Sam Boateng ,Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

Footnotes on an Arranged Meeting

by Zahrah Ehsan

"Footnotes of An Arranged Meeting" is a feel-good; humorous short film about a meeting between Daneen and Ifran. Both are from Pakistan but based in Finland, meeting each other in regards to a potential arranged marriage. Daneen navigates through this meeting with the help of her best friend, humour

"Footnotes of An Arranged Meeting" is a feel-good; humorous short film about a meeting between Daneen and Ifran. Both are from Pakistan but based in Finland, meeting each other in regards to a potential arranged marriage. Daneen navigates through this meeting with the help of her best friend, humour

Footnotes on an Arranged Meeting

by Zahrah Ehsan
Zahrah Ehsan is an artist; painter and filmmaker from Pakistan, currently based in Finland. In 2020, she completed her MA in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Arts from Aalto University, followed by her participation at AMPI's program. Ehsan's practice is driven by storytelling including scavenged materials from industry, popular culture, and utility incorporated into her visual works. She likes to write, direct and act in stories, that are mostly a critique on the notions of gender, identity, mental health, and everyday labour.
Zahrah Ehsan is an artist; painter and filmmaker from Pakistan, currently based in Finland. In 2020, she completed her MA in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Arts from Aalto University, followed by her participation at AMPI's program. Ehsan's practice is driven by storytelling including scavenged materials from industry, popular culture, and utility incorporated into her visual works. She likes to write, direct and act in stories, that are mostly a critique on the notions of gender, identity, mental health, and everyday labour.

Year: 2023 / Language: English, Urdu; Subtitles: English / Duration: 10’40” / Genre: Comedy, Feel-Good / Director: Zahrah Ehsan / Producers: Zahrah Ehsan , Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

Conference of Birds

by Shamsil Balkis

Conference Of The Birds follows a skein of birds and an individual's journey of encountering a mysterious bird in the forest.

Conference Of The Birds follows a skein of birds and an individual's journey of encountering a mysterious bird in the forest.

Conference of Birds

by Shamsil Balkis
Shamsil Balkis (b. Kerala, India) is a filmmaker currently based in Helsinki. Balkis explores themes of Immigration, representation of ethnic minorities and their identities through his work of art. He has a deep passion for writing and directing stories that reflect on pluralistic societies.
Shamsil Balkis (b. Kerala, India) is a filmmaker currently based in Helsinki. Balkis explores themes of Immigration, representation of ethnic minorities and their identities through his work of art. He has a deep passion for writing and directing stories that reflect on pluralistic societies.

Year: 2023 / Language: Finnish, Swedish, Kurdish; Subtitles: English / Duration: 11’08” / Genre: Magic realism / Director: Shamsil Balkis / Producers: Shamsil Balkis, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

Metsänpeitto

by Teresa Siltanen

Two sisters Aava and Eevi reunite to mend their broken relationship of past traumas as they spend a seemingly normal and relaxing weekend at their family’s summer cottage. During their stay, an escalation of odd and eerie occurrences happens, which leads to one sister’s disappearance. The lone sister must find the courage and strength to find her missing sibling and take on the demon encompassing the forest and her mind.

Two sisters Aava and Eevi reunite to mend their broken relationship of past traumas as they spend a seemingly normal and relaxing weekend at their family’s summer cottage. During their stay, an escalation of odd and eerie occurrences happens, which leads to one sister’s disappearance. The lone sister must find the courage and strength to find her missing sibling and take on the demon encompassing the forest and her mind.

Metsänpeitto

by Teresa Siltanen
Teresa Siltanen (b.1993 United States) She graduated in Theatre Arts and spent a semester in Northern Ireland studying Irish history, language, and drama. She wants to be able to incorporate her mixture of Indigenous / European heritage and folklore into her work. Her passion and love for cinema and filmmaking is her driving force – along with her desire to connect to individuals at their core.
Teresa Siltanen (b.1993 United States) She graduated in Theatre Arts and spent a semester in Northern Ireland studying Irish history, language, and drama. She wants to be able to incorporate her mixture of Indigenous / European heritage and folklore into her work. Her passion and love for cinema and filmmaking is her driving force – along with her desire to connect to individuals at their core.

Year: 2023 / Language: Finnish; Subtitles: English / Duration: 11’00” / Director: Teresa Siltanen / Producers: Teresa Siltanen, Academy of Moving People and Images / Festivals : TBA

Little Ghosts

by Khanh Ngo

The encounter of Minh, the lost soul of a boy who died 8 years ago, and Trang, an orphan, and their journey to find her long-missing mom.

The encounter of Minh, the lost soul of a boy who died 8 years ago, and Trang, an orphan, and their journey to find her long-missing mom.

Little Ghosts

by Khanh Ngo
Khanh Ngo (b. 2000 Hanoi, Vietnam) is a cinematographer based in Helsinki, Finland. He has shot a few short projects, and as of 2023, he's DP-ing his first feature film project. Khanh's interested in exploring the depth of human relationships (especially family and friendships) and strives to create visually compelling images that serve and elevate the story. His dream is to someday help bring Vietnamese culture and literature to international audiences.
Khanh Ngo (b. 2000 Hanoi, Vietnam) is a cinematographer based in Helsinki, Finland. He has shot a few short projects, and as of 2023, he's DP-ing his first feature film project. Khanh's interested in exploring the depth of human relationships (especially family and friendships) and strives to create visually compelling images that serve and elevate the story. His dream is to someday help bring Vietnamese culture and literature to international audiences.

Year: 2023 / Language: Vietnamese, Finnish; Subtitles: English / Duration: 11’08” / Director: Khanh Ngo/ Producers: Khanh Ngo, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

The Story Of…

by Mariia Solodiankina

A fluid invisible creature from outer space, Observer, a collector of stories, arrives in our world. After the meeting with Four Sisters, who share their thoughts about violence, representation, and exploitation of the planet, Observer is ready to return and tell Earth's story.

A fluid invisible creature from outer space, Observer, a collector of stories, arrives in our world. After the meeting with Four Sisters, who share their thoughts about violence, representation, and exploitation of the planet, Observer is ready to return and tell Earth's story.

The Story Of…

by Mariia Solodiankina
Mariia Solodiankina is a Finland-based filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist. In her works, she explores the topic of ecofeminism - parallels between the exploitation of the Earth and the oppression of women's bodies.
Mariia Solodiankina is a Finland-based filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist. In her works, she explores the topic of ecofeminism - parallels between the exploitation of the Earth and the oppression of women's bodies.

Year: 2023 / Language: English / Duration: 10’50” / Genre: Sci-Fi, Social, Environment, Art, Experimental / Director: Mariia Solodiankina / Producers: Mariia Solodiankina, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

SINIVUOKKO

by Kardo Shiwan

Kardo Shiwan's short film SINIVUOKKO is a story about a mother and her adopted son. The family faces a crisis that transports the viewer to different times in the life of the mother and son; from the first memory to the last.

Kardo Shiwan's short film SINIVUOKKO is a story about a mother and her adopted son. The family faces a crisis that transports the viewer to different times in the life of the mother and son; from the first memory to the last.

SINIVUOKKO

by Kardo Shiwan
Kardo Shiwan is a Kurdish-Finnish actor, director and writer. He graduated from the Helsinki University of the Arts Theatre Academy in 2019 and the Academy of Moving People and Images in 2022. Currently, Kardo is based in Helsinki. Right now, Kardo is interested in the intersections of cultural research and corporeality within filmmaking.
Kardo Shiwan is a Kurdish-Finnish actor, director and writer. He graduated from the Helsinki University of the Arts Theatre Academy in 2019 and the Academy of Moving People and Images in 2022. Currently, Kardo is based in Helsinki. Right now, Kardo is interested in the intersections of cultural research and corporeality within filmmaking.

Year: 2023 / Language: Finnish; Subtitles: English / Duration: 11’08” / Director: Kardo Shiwan / Producers: Kardo Shiwan , Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

2020-2021

It Ain’t Nirvana

by Imaneh Ameli

A young person feeling tired and frustrated with life goes to an apple garden to reflect on their thoughts. As they are consumed with their emotions, they get invited to enter a space full of mirrors and other symbolic elements.

A young person feeling tired and frustrated with life goes to an apple garden to reflect on their thoughts. As they are consumed with their emotions, they get invited to enter a space full of mirrors and other symbolic elements.

It Ain’t Nirvana

by Imaneh Ameli
Imaneh Ameli (b. 1984, Iran) is a communication specialist based in Helsinki. She came to Finland four and a half years ago to study her second Master’s degree in Global Sociology at Tampere University. She holds another Masters degree in Communication Science from Tehran University. She cares about equality in the society in an intersectional way and wants to reflect on the current, complicated socio-political atmosphere (intersection of gender, race, sexual orientation, class and environment) in her future movies in an artistic way.
Imaneh Ameli (b. 1984, Iran) is a communication specialist based in Helsinki. She came to Finland four and a half years ago to study her second Master’s degree in Global Sociology at Tampere University. She holds another Masters degree in Communication Science from Tehran University. She cares about equality in the society in an intersectional way and wants to reflect on the current, complicated socio-political atmosphere (intersection of gender, race, sexual orientation, class and environment) in her future movies in an artistic way.

Year: 2022 / Language: Without dialogue / Duration: 07’00” / Director: Imaneh Ameli / Producers: Imaneh Ameli, People & Images / Festivals: TBA

Sound

by Sanjay Shrestha

Two individuals from two different nations, sharing their story in their own language, defining the meaning of sound.

Two individuals from two different nations, sharing their story in their own language, defining the meaning of sound.

Sound

by Sanjay Shrestha
Sanjay Shrestha (b.1993, Nepal) moved to Finland in 2012 as a Hospitality Management Student. He is an amateur screenwriter and Filmmaker aiming at establishing a professional career. Since his Childhood, watching movies has remained his main hobby. This interest has turned into curiosity, and the art of filmmaking has drawn his attention quite strongly to be an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker.
Sanjay Shrestha (b.1993, Nepal) moved to Finland in 2012 as a Hospitality Management Student. He is an amateur screenwriter and Filmmaker aiming at establishing a professional career. Since his Childhood, watching movies has remained his main hobby. This interest has turned into curiosity, and the art of filmmaking has drawn his attention quite strongly to be an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker.

Year: 2022 / Language: Nepali, Finnish, English / Duration: 11’46” / Director: Sanjay Shrestha/ Producers: Sanjay Shrestha, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

Mirage

by Iida Valme

Mirage is a film about how an encounter between two strangers leads Rinah, our protagonist, to examine their inner world. The beauty that they see in this stranger moves her, it is something she admires and yearns for. It is through her own internal journey that she discovers that the beauty she sees in this stranger is a reflection of the beauty within herself.

Mirage is a film about how an encounter between two strangers leads Rinah, our protagonist, to examine their inner world. The beauty that they see in this stranger moves her, it is something she admires and yearns for. It is through her own internal journey that she discovers that the beauty she sees in this stranger is a reflection of the beauty within herself.

Mirage

by Iida Valme
Iida Valme (b.1999, Boston, MA) comes from a Haitian and Finnish background, has grown up in the U.S., Estonia, Chile, Finland, and Kenya before going to study Kinesiology in McGill University in Montréal. She returned to Finland to pursue her passion in filmmaking and production, as well as to “re-root herself”. Growing up, mobility has always been a part of her life due to her parents’ professions, as well as her own multicultural heritage.
Iida Valme (b.1999, Boston, MA) comes from a Haitian and Finnish background, has grown up in the U.S., Estonia, Chile, Finland, and Kenya before going to study Kinesiology in McGill University in Montréal. She returned to Finland to pursue her passion in filmmaking and production, as well as to “re-root herself”. Growing up, mobility has always been a part of her life due to her parents’ professions, as well as her own multicultural heritage.

Year: 2022 / Language: Without dialogue / Duration: 7’57” / Director: Iida Valme / Producers: Iida Valme, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

When Were You Born

by Libbie Katsev

In a world where astrology is more institutionally accepted, a student filmmaker visits her father’s hometown in Russia to learn the time of his birth and finally complete his astrological chart. She is guided by a local astrological researcher, who has her own agenda.

In a world where astrology is more institutionally accepted, a student filmmaker visits her father’s hometown in Russia to learn the time of his birth and finally complete his astrological chart. She is guided by a local astrological researcher, who has her own agenda.

When Were You Born

by Libbie Katsev
Libbie Katsev (b. 1995, California) is an emerging writer and filmmaker based in Helsinki. She is a recent graduate of the Academy of Moving People and Images (AMPI) and the University of Helsinki’s M.A. program in Russian Studies. Her past projects include an anthology of short stories for her bachelor's thesis at Yale University, research on street music in Moscow as a Fox International Fellow, and English translations for a book about the Moscow club scene of the 1990s. Her current projects explore the relationships between place, displacement, memory, and fiction.
Libbie Katsev (b. 1995, California) is an emerging writer and filmmaker based in Helsinki. She is a recent graduate of the Academy of Moving People and Images (AMPI) and the University of Helsinki’s M.A. program in Russian Studies. Her past projects include an anthology of short stories for her bachelor's thesis at Yale University, research on street music in Moscow as a Fox International Fellow, and English translations for a book about the Moscow club scene of the 1990s. Her current projects explore the relationships between place, displacement, memory, and fiction.

Year: 2022 / Language: English, Russian / Duration: 12’00” / Director: Libbie Katsev / Producers: Libbie Katsev, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: Love and Anarchy, Helsinki International Film Festival

I Need To Tell You Something

by Samra Šabanović

Stuck in a sketch-like world labeled by post-it notes, a couple tries to communicate.

Stuck in a sketch-like world labeled by post-it notes, a couple tries to communicate.

I Need To Tell You Something

by Samra Šabanović
Samra Šabanović (b. 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina) grew up in Sarajevo and moved to Helsinki for her master studies. She graduated in Fine Arts at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad and has obtained her MA in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art at Aalto University. Samra has been mostly working with photography and combining it with text, video and performative narrative. Her interests oscillate between philosophy in photography and politics: the right to be, human dignity, both love and inaccessibility in images. From 2019 she has been co-curating a series of research-based public interventions on images under the title “I was there but you didn’t see me.”
Samra Šabanović (b. 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina) grew up in Sarajevo and moved to Helsinki for her master studies. She graduated in Fine Arts at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad and has obtained her MA in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art at Aalto University. Samra has been mostly working with photography and combining it with text, video and performative narrative. Her interests oscillate between philosophy in photography and politics: the right to be, human dignity, both love and inaccessibility in images. From 2019 she has been co-curating a series of research-based public interventions on images under the title “I was there but you didn’t see me.”

Year: 2022 / Language: English / Duration: 10’20” / Director: Samra Šabanović/ Producers: Samra Šabanović, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

Glitch-Recon(naissance)

by VIshnu Rajan

A Cyberpunk Cyborg superhero descends to teach glitch to a commoner in Oceania, a city built-in 1984. Glitch is a technology that erases the ever-encroaching pervasive surveillance apparatus. Can the commoner find stealth, eros and liberation using Glitch in time, changing the very nature of deep surveillance?

A Cyberpunk Cyborg superhero descends to teach glitch to a commoner in Oceania, a city built-in 1984. Glitch is a technology that erases the ever-encroaching pervasive surveillance apparatus. Can the commoner find stealth, eros and liberation using Glitch in time, changing the very nature of deep surveillance?

Glitch-Recon(naissance)

by VIshnu Rajan
Vishnu Vardhani RAJAN (b.Hyderabad, India) is a Body-Philosopher and Performance Artist based in Helsinki. A hyphenated identity, multidisciplinary practices, building connections between art, science, witchcraft, history and cultures define her. Vishnu explores shame, through dance, acting and stand-up comedy. Vishnu’s persona Vamp Master Brown is the first Indian Drag King in Helsinki. She intends to blend her love of Cinema and passion for filmmaking with her ongoing practices, to achieve a new language in storytelling.
Vishnu Vardhani RAJAN (b.Hyderabad, India) is a Body-Philosopher and Performance Artist based in Helsinki. A hyphenated identity, multidisciplinary practices, building connections between art, science, witchcraft, history and cultures define her. Vishnu explores shame, through dance, acting and stand-up comedy. Vishnu’s persona Vamp Master Brown is the first Indian Drag King in Helsinki. She intends to blend her love of Cinema and passion for filmmaking with her ongoing practices, to achieve a new language in storytelling.

Year: 2022 / Language: English, Binary code / Duration: 7’42’’/ Director: Vishnu Rajan / Producers: Vishnu Rajan, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: TBA

2019-2020

Leftovers

by Shahi Derky

Cana, a young Syrian woman wants to buy a fridge in Helsinki as a part of her settling-down process. To deliver the fridge home, she rides in a van with Ville and Rony where their three worlds intersect on themes of coldness, home and exile. Until they arrive, with the fridge, to Cana's own leftovers.

Cana, a young Syrian woman wants to buy a fridge in Helsinki as a part of her settling-down process. To deliver the fridge home, she rides in a van with Ville and Rony where their three worlds intersect on themes of coldness, home and exile. Until they arrive, with the fridge, to Cana's own leftovers.

Leftovers

by Shahi Derky
Shahi Derky (1997 Damascus, Syria), currently based in France, has left Syria to live in Iraqi Kurdistan, then Turkey. Graduating with a BA in Linguistics, Literature and English studies from the University of Lyon II, she then created her first short film Leftovers under the program of Academy of Moving People and Images. At the moment she is pursuing an MA in Critical Theory and Literature-to-Film Adaptation with a passion of mixing humane experiences, languages and memory within the moving, and still-image.
Shahi Derky (1997 Damascus, Syria), currently based in France, has left Syria to live in Iraqi Kurdistan, then Turkey. Graduating with a BA in Linguistics, Literature and English studies from the University of Lyon II, she then created her first short film Leftovers under the program of Academy of Moving People and Images. At the moment she is pursuing an MA in Critical Theory and Literature-to-Film Adaptation with a passion of mixing humane experiences, languages and memory within the moving, and still-image.

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Leftovers / Genre: Drama / Duration: 11 mins 49 secs / Writer & Director: Shahi Derky / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Shahi Derky / Festivals: Tampere Film Festival, Tampere, Finland, 2021; Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 / Screenings: Institut Finlandais Screenings N21: AMPI, Paris, France, 2020; IHME Helsinki at Kino Regina, Helsinki, Finland, 2020

Alku

by Camille Navarro

(We can use yours) A Pinay girl in her early 20s is a day away from now of the biggest tests of her life. To get through her fears and anxieties she turns to her close-knit group of friends.

(We can use yours) A Pinay girl in her early 20s is a day away from now of the biggest tests of her life. To get through her fears and anxieties she turns to her close-knit group of friends.

Alku

by Camille Navarro
Camille Navarro (b. 1997, Manila) is exploring filmmaking amidst navigating through everyday life. She enjoys the collective nature of filmmaking and believes in film as a vehicle for understanding.
Camille Navarro (b. 1997, Manila) is exploring filmmaking amidst navigating through everyday life. She enjoys the collective nature of filmmaking and believes in film as a vehicle for understanding.

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Alku / Language: Finnish / Genre: Drama / Duration: 13 mins / Writer & Director: Camille Navarro / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Camille Navarro / Screenings: Institut Finlandais Screenings N21: AMPI, Paris, France, 2020

Leonarda – Flesh Ain’t Weak

by Mariangela Pluchino

Leonarda, a vegan soap maker and serial killer from contemporary Helsinki. She makes soap out of the bodies of her victims. She would do anything to protect her favourite child: Giuseppe. Based on the case of Leonarda Cianciulli, a serial killer from southern Italy during the 30s. A mix between documentary-fiction-dance movie-digital-16mm analogue-among other frolicsomeness.

Leonarda, a vegan soap maker and serial killer from contemporary Helsinki. She makes soap out of the bodies of her victims. She would do anything to protect her favourite child: Giuseppe. Based on the case of Leonarda Cianciulli, a serial killer from southern Italy during the 30s. A mix between documentary-fiction-dance movie-digital-16mm analogue-among other frolicsomeness.

Leonarda – Flesh Ain’t Weak

by Mariangela Pluchino
Mariangela Pluchino is an Italo-Costa Rica-Venezuelan filmmaker based in Helsinki. She has graduated in Psychology and holds a Master Degree in documentary filmmaking. She pursues filmmaking while questioning the practice of social sciences for the purpose of establishing dialogues with other disciplines.
Mariangela Pluchino is an Italo-Costa Rica-Venezuelan filmmaker based in Helsinki. She has graduated in Psychology and holds a Master Degree in documentary filmmaking. She pursues filmmaking while questioning the practice of social sciences for the purpose of establishing dialogues with other disciplines.

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Leonarda - Flesh Ain't Weak / Language: Finnish / Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Analogue-Digital, Dance Movie, Nordic Noir / Duration: 17 mins / Writer & Director: Mariangela Pluchino / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Mariangela Pluchino / Festivals: HIFF Love& Anarchy, Helsinki, Finland, 2020 ; Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 ; Screenings: IHME Helsinki at Kino Regina, Helsinki, Finland 2020 / TV: YLE Areena

Alonely

by Fiona Musanga

A father has lost his child. The film takes place in the present-day intercut with memories and dreams of the incident. One morning while cleaning up in the kitchen of his home, he is taken back to that moment. He does not know how his child went missing and that has haunted him for long. The memory follows the day when he went on a journey to find his child. After a long search, he sees an object peeking in the distance. He approaches it and finds that it is his child's boot. He understands now that the worst has probably happened. Then we return to his present day, cleaning up in the kitchen remembering the day he lost his child.

A father has lost his child. The film takes place in the present-day intercut with memories and dreams of the incident. One morning while cleaning up in the kitchen of his home, he is taken back to that moment. He does not know how his child went missing and that has haunted him for long. The memory follows the day when he went on a journey to find his child. After a long search, he sees an object peeking in the distance. He approaches it and finds that it is his child's boot. He understands now that the worst has probably happened. Then we return to his present day, cleaning up in the kitchen remembering the day he lost his child.

Alonely

by Fiona Musanga
Fiona Musanga (b.1996, Nairobi) is a Rwandese visual artist currently based in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated from Turku Classical Upper Secondary School with a diploma in acting, later moving on to study filmmaking at the Academy of Moving People & Images, an independent film school based in Helsinki. She is a student of film and art history, a dancer, writer, director and creator.
Fiona Musanga (b.1996, Nairobi) is a Rwandese visual artist currently based in Helsinki, Finland. She graduated from Turku Classical Upper Secondary School with a diploma in acting, later moving on to study filmmaking at the Academy of Moving People & Images, an independent film school based in Helsinki. She is a student of film and art history, a dancer, writer, director and creator.

Year: 2020 / Original Title:Alonely / Language: English / Genre: Drama / Duration: 8 mins / Writer & Director: Fiona Musanga / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Fiona Musanga / Festivals: Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 / Screenings: Institut Finlandais Screenings N21: AMPI, Paris, France, 2020

Remains

by Roxana Sadvokassova

Arman returns home for his mother's funeral, only to discover his sister Kamilla has just cremated their mom thus taking his last chance to say a proper goodbye. Going along with Kamilla's new plan while barely getting along with her proves to be a challenge.

Arman returns home for his mother's funeral, only to discover his sister Kamilla has just cremated their mom thus taking his last chance to say a proper goodbye. Going along with Kamilla's new plan while barely getting along with her proves to be a challenge.

Remains

by Roxana Sadvokassova
Roxana Sadvokassova (b. 1992, Kazakhstan), based in Helsinki, Finland. Prior to "mom i'm an artist" realization graduated as an honors student of international law, dropped out of one master's degree and got expelled from another master's. Considers herself an artistic amoeba, whose cell core is to create through organic expansion into various forms suitable for what needs to exist. Roxana's current primary focus is filmmaking, she also works with writing, sculpture, photography and stand up. Completed her film studies in Academy of Moving People and Images, a unique platform for mobile filmmakers in Helsinki. More recently directed a short comedic drama "Remains".
Roxana Sadvokassova (b. 1992, Kazakhstan), based in Helsinki, Finland. Prior to "mom i'm an artist" realization graduated as an honors student of international law, dropped out of one master's degree and got expelled from another master's. Considers herself an artistic amoeba, whose cell core is to create through organic expansion into various forms suitable for what needs to exist. Roxana's current primary focus is filmmaking, she also works with writing, sculpture, photography and stand up. Completed her film studies in Academy of Moving People and Images, a unique platform for mobile filmmakers in Helsinki. More recently directed a short comedic drama "Remains".

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Remains / Language: Finnish, Russian / Genre: Comedic Drama / Duration: 12 mins 12 secs / Writer & Director: Roxana Sadvokassova / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Roxana Sadvokassova / Festivals: Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 / Screenings: Institut Finlandais Screenings N21: AMPI, Paris, France, 2020 / TV: YLE Areena

Dog Day

by Jelica Jerinić

A young and enthusiastic dog sitter comes to work where she discovers that the dog is dead, and the dog's owner has a list of weird requests for her.

A young and enthusiastic dog sitter comes to work where she discovers that the dog is dead, and the dog's owner has a list of weird requests for her.

Dog Day

by Jelica Jerinić
Jelica Jerinić (b.1991, Yugoslavia), currently based in Helsinki, graduated with an MA in Film and Theatre Writing from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. She has recently completed her studies at Academy of Moving People & Images, a newly-formed film school, based in Helsinki. Her first film, a short documentary "Girls Who Cut Their Hair Short", was screened at several international film festivals (Martovski festival, BEAST - International Film Festival, Vox Feminae, International Images film festival for Women and others). More recently, she has written and directed her first short fiction film "Dog Day".
Jelica Jerinić (b.1991, Yugoslavia), currently based in Helsinki, graduated with an MA in Film and Theatre Writing from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. She has recently completed her studies at Academy of Moving People & Images, a newly-formed film school, based in Helsinki. Her first film, a short documentary "Girls Who Cut Their Hair Short", was screened at several international film festivals (Martovski festival, BEAST - International Film Festival, Vox Feminae, International Images film festival for Women and others). More recently, she has written and directed her first short fiction film "Dog Day".

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Dog Day / Language: Finnish, Serbian / Genre: Dark Comedy / Duration: 14 mins 47 secs / Writer & Director: Jelica Jerinić / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Jelica Jerinić / Festivals: Bašta Fest, Bajina Bašta, Serbia, 2021; Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland, 2021; Valjevski filmski susreti, Valjevo, Serbia, 2021 / TV : YLE Areena

Talk To Me, Dance With Me, Let Me Be

by Saara Hasan

Flora, a woman battling with schizophrenia, is planning her birthday party. Her illness is manifested as the character Emma, who can be her best friend but also, at times her worst enemy. A visit from Flora's concerned sister leads to an altercation between the two of them but they quickly reconcile. The party is successful and Flora goes on trying to find a balance between her mental illness and normal life.

Flora, a woman battling with schizophrenia, is planning her birthday party. Her illness is manifested as the character Emma, who can be her best friend but also, at times her worst enemy. A visit from Flora's concerned sister leads to an altercation between the two of them but they quickly reconcile. The party is successful and Flora goes on trying to find a balance between her mental illness and normal life.

Talk To Me, Dance With Me, Let Me Be

by Saara Hasan
Saara Hasan (b.1994, Finland ) has Finnish-Iraqi roots. A former burger master and now an emerging filmmaker based in Finland. She has a passion for acting, storytelling and cinematography. In her work, she is interested in exploring themes of identity, relationships and human behaviour.
Saara Hasan (b.1994, Finland ) has Finnish-Iraqi roots. A former burger master and now an emerging filmmaker based in Finland. She has a passion for acting, storytelling and cinematography. In her work, she is interested in exploring themes of identity, relationships and human behaviour.

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Talk To Me, Dance With Me, Let Me Be / Language: Finnish / Genre: Drama / Duration: 12 mins 54 secs / Writer & Director: Saara Hasan / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Saara Hasan / Festivals: Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 / Screenings: Institut Finlandais Screenings N21: AMPI, Paris, France, 2020

Death in Paradise

by Helen Aleksandrova

Nina is a young writer. She is offered to do a live translation for a sold-out theatre play. Everything seems to be going according to the schedule until a visitor from the past appears on stage. Unable to see the stage, Nina has to rely on her ears to understand what is actually happening inside the harrowing play.

Nina is a young writer. She is offered to do a live translation for a sold-out theatre play. Everything seems to be going according to the schedule until a visitor from the past appears on stage. Unable to see the stage, Nina has to rely on her ears to understand what is actually happening inside the harrowing play.

Death in Paradise

by Helen Aleksandrova
Helena Aleksandrova (b.1992) is a Helsinki-based video artist and filmmaker from St.Petersburg, Russia. Helena got her double Bachelor degree in St.Petersburg State University and Bard College, where she majored in Film and Video. She then proceeded to follow her art career and received a Master's degree in Aalto University at Visual Culture and Contemporary Art program. Working a lot with moving image, she decided to give narrative cinema another chance. 'Death in Paradise' is Aleksandrova's first fiction short film, inspired by her long-lasting love for Giallo cinema filmography: Death in Paradise (2020)
Helena Aleksandrova (b.1992) is a Helsinki-based video artist and filmmaker from St.Petersburg, Russia. Helena got her double Bachelor degree in St.Petersburg State University and Bard College, where she majored in Film and Video. She then proceeded to follow her art career and received a Master's degree in Aalto University at Visual Culture and Contemporary Art program. Working a lot with moving image, she decided to give narrative cinema another chance. 'Death in Paradise' is Aleksandrova's first fiction short film, inspired by her long-lasting love for Giallo cinema filmography: Death in Paradise (2020)

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Death in Paradise / Language: English, Russian / Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Giallo / Duration: 15’00” / Director: Helena Aleksandrova / Producers: Helena Aleksandrova, Academy of Moving People & Images / Festivals: Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 / Screenings: Institut Finlandais Screenings N21: AMPI, Paris, France, 2020 / Trailer: https://vimeo.com/391683461

Fog

by Aishe Vejdani

A Turkmen woman finds herself wrestling between an unsettling nightmare she had and the reality where she is spending a weekend with her Finn husband in a lake cottage. Reality and nightmare get merged into each other to the point it is impossible to separate the two from each other. They become one.

A Turkmen woman finds herself wrestling between an unsettling nightmare she had and the reality where she is spending a weekend with her Finn husband in a lake cottage. Reality and nightmare get merged into each other to the point it is impossible to separate the two from each other. They become one.

Fog

by Aishe Vejdani
Aishe Vejdani, an Iranian Turkmen (b.1986), is an interdisciplinary artist. She graduated with an MA in painting and a BA in English literature from Iran. In her artwork she deploys her familial history and experience as an object for her inquiry about the female experience. She tries to mobilise the silence and suppression of female experience by building rhythm in repeated images of laughter. She is interested in merging, fusion, repetition and affiliation as a structure in her work and identity.
Aishe Vejdani, an Iranian Turkmen (b.1986), is an interdisciplinary artist. She graduated with an MA in painting and a BA in English literature from Iran. In her artwork she deploys her familial history and experience as an object for her inquiry about the female experience. She tries to mobilise the silence and suppression of female experience by building rhythm in repeated images of laughter. She is interested in merging, fusion, repetition and affiliation as a structure in her work and identity.

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Fog / Language: English / Genre: psychological drama / Duration: 9 mins 13secs / Writer & Director: Aishe Vejdani / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Aishe Vejdani / Festivals: Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 ; Kotka International Film Festival, Kotka, Finland 2021

Paper Promises

by Uzair Amjad

A Pakistani student in Helsinki studying game design starts working as a paperboy at night due to a financial situation. Over the course of his work, he develops deeper associations with the doors that he delivers papers to.

A Pakistani student in Helsinki studying game design starts working as a paperboy at night due to a financial situation. Over the course of his work, he develops deeper associations with the doors that he delivers papers to.

Paper Promises

by Uzair Amjad
Uzair Amjad (b.1989) is a Filmmaker and a Visual Artist from Lahore, Pakistan currently based in Helsinki. He has completed a Masters Degree in Visual Culture, Curating and Contemporary Arts from Aalto University (Helsinki) parallel to intensive training in Film making at Academy of Moving People and Images (Helsinki). Amjad was originally trained as an image-maker whose practice borrowed greatly from the symbolic and performative aspects of storytelling. Storytelling was vital in preserving and understanding the memory of his changing locations as he moved between 30 different houses during his formative years.

Fimography: Paper Promises (2020)
Uzair Amjad (b.1989) is a Filmmaker and a Visual Artist from Lahore, Pakistan currently based in Helsinki. He has completed a Masters Degree in Visual Culture, Curating and Contemporary Arts from Aalto University (Helsinki) parallel to intensive training in Film making at Academy of Moving People and Images (Helsinki). Amjad was originally trained as an image-maker whose practice borrowed greatly from the symbolic and performative aspects of storytelling. Storytelling was vital in preserving and understanding the memory of his changing locations as he moved between 30 different houses during his formative years.

Fimography: Paper Promises (2020)

Year: 2020 / Original Title: Paper Promises / Language: English, Urdu / Genre: Comedy, Drama / Duration: 14mins 51 secs / Writer & Director: Uzair Amjad / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Uzair Amjad / Festivals: HIFF Love& Anarchy, Helsinki, Finland, 2020 - Audience Award ; Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021 / TV : YLE Areena

About That

by Taisya Ulyanova

Ann, a closeted queer girl dating the most out-and-proud bisexual of her high school, Collins, worries that her keeping their relationship a secret is putting a strain on it.

Ann, a closeted queer girl dating the most out-and-proud bisexual of her high school, Collins, worries that her keeping their relationship a secret is putting a strain on it.

About That

by Taisya Ulyanova
Taisya Ulyanova (b.2002, in Moscow, Russia) is a digital artist with a love for storytelling. She moved to Helsinki from Russia in 2016, and in 2019 took a gap year between comprehensive school and high school to study filmmaking. Queer characters and queer themes are inherent to all of her works in progress.
Taisya Ulyanova (b.2002, in Moscow, Russia) is a digital artist with a love for storytelling. She moved to Helsinki from Russia in 2016, and in 2019 took a gap year between comprehensive school and high school to study filmmaking. Queer characters and queer themes are inherent to all of her works in progress.

Year: 2020 / Original Title: About That / Language: English/ Genre: Romance / Duration: 11mins / Writer & Director: Taisya Ulyanova / Producers: Academy of Moving People and Images, Taisya Ulyanova / Festivals: Suomalaisen elokuvan festivaali, Turku, Finland 2021