Inaugural Finnish Film Affair to host world premiere of When Heroes Lie

Taking place as part of the Helsinki International Film Festival (HIFF) - Love & Anarchy, the inaugural Finnish Film Affair (FFA) has announced its programme of new films and films-in-progress set to show over the three-day event, running Sept 25-27.

Among the films screening will be EFA-nominated filmmaker Arto Halonen’s documentary When Heroes Lie, which receives its world premiere at the showcase, as well as the recently completed Purge from Antti Jokinen, based on the bestselling novel, and Jukka Kärkkäinen & Jani-Petteri Passi’s award-winning The Punk Syndrome [pictured].

Alongside its line-up of 27 titles, the FFA will also present 15 works-in-progress, including Juha Wuolijoki’s Zarra’s Law, which has recently finished shooting in New York, Aku Louhimies’ thriller Never Forever, from Blind Spot Productions who worked on Iron Sky, and Pirjo Honkasalo’s adaptation The Concrete Night.

FFA will also host a panel focussing on film sales and how to sell Finnish films internationally, moderated by Screen International editor Wendy Mitchell.

Sales agent Miira Paasilinna said: “I’m glad that the image of Finnish films seems to be changing, thanks to several successful comedies and animation features. Finnish producers are professional and easy to work with, which is crucial for international sales.”

FFA is an initiative of HIFF, partnered by Finnish Film & Audiovisual Export FAVEX, the Finnish Film Foundation SES, the Central Organisation of Finnish Film Producers SEK, Finland Film Commission and with the support of the Nordic Culture Fund and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.