Helsinki-based Bronson Club and New York-based Uncorked Productions have started a new collaboration, Start To Finnish, to develop English-language international projects for six top Finnish directors.

The directors collaborating in the new venture are AJ Annila, Zaida Bergroth, Antti J. Jokinen, Dome Karukoski, Aku Louhimies and Samuli Valkama.

The first project coming through the pipeline is Annila’s What We Were, the prequel to cannibal hit We Are What We Are.

The producers, Jesse Fryckman of Bronson and Andrew D. Corkin of Uncorked, will seek financing from both the US and the Nordic region.

“It’s great to work in interaction with fellow countrymen and colleagues that I respect and admire. With the US market we are not competitors, we are just aiming to enhance Finnish filmmaking,” said Karukoski.

Fryckman added: “This Finnish-French-US co-production is a fine example of our goal. AJ is making an English language film for international market, and we are shooting it in the States in Autumn 2013.”

Corkin said: “I’ve been a huge fan of the cinema and unique voices that have come out of the Nordic countries and, in particular Finland, for a long time.

“Today, across the studio and independent film worlds as well as TV, Scandinavian content and talent are finally starting to get the attention they deserve.

“Through our platform, we hope to help expand the spotlight and allow our Finnish talent to find homes in the US market as well as introducing American productions to the welcoming world of Finnish filmmaking

.”

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