As a seasoned industry professional with a diverse and international background, I am thrilled to witness Alisha Hasan take the helm at Finnish Film Affair. Her unique blend of experiences in animation, gaming, and film production, coupled with her stints in London, Malta, New York, and beyond, make her the perfect candidate to lead this esteemed event into a new era.
In her new role as leader of Finnish Film Affair, Alisha Hasan infuses the yearly industry gathering with a revitalizing vigor and an internationally-inclined outlook. This event coincides with the Helsinki International Film Festival.
Hanah, who took up her position in April, comes to us from Gutsy Animations, a Finnish animation studio, where she held the role of Marketing Director. Prior to this, she spent a period of six years working as both a producer and marketing manager at Game Lounge Ltd., an online gaming company.
Hasan, with an eclectic mix of experiences spanning London, Malta, and New York (where she had an internship at Kino Lorber), aims to expand the reach of FFA beyond its Scandinavian base while preserving its respected reputation. This year’s event will place a significant emphasis on AI, gaming, transmedia, and innovative film financing, areas where Hasan has previously shown proficiency.
Hasan emphasized a key approach: setting Finnish Film Affair apart by branding it uniquely from other film markets. Our goal is to pioneer fresh ideas – ideas that are scarce or entirely novel in the industry,” Hasan explained to EbMaster.
Transmedia isn’t yet widespread in Scandinavia, but it’s our initial step towards the desired direction. It’s not about starting from scratch, but rather building upon existing foundations. My first FFA is essentially a collection of initial designs that we are continuously refining, much like developing a product over time.
Finnish Film Affair, Finland’s premier film event and market, brings together international and domestic attendees for a three-day program filled with carefully planned sessions, including panels, workshops, and keynote speeches, addressing the industry’s most relevant issues. Additionally, it offers numerous pitching opportunities for films in development and production, showcasing projects from Finland as well as the Nordic region.
EbMaster had a conversation with Hasan before this year’s event, scheduled from September 25th to 27th in Helsinki. They discussed alterations for the 13th edition of the event and what plans EbMaster has for the future. “I don’t anticipate everything changing within a single year,” she acknowledges. “It’s more like a marathon, not a race to be won quickly.
Why did this feel like the right time for you to join Finnish Film Affair?
As a seasoned movie reviewer who’s attended Finnish Film Affair numerous times, I’ve always been struck by Finland’s cinematic potential. Now, with our new initiatives, I aim to foster an environment that encourages bold thinking among participants. It’s not about pretending to have all the answers; it’s about embracing the unknown and embarking on a journey of discovery together. Let’s explore the possibilities that Finland and Finnish Film Affair hold – the potential is there, waiting to be realized.
In addition to your time at Warner Bros. Discovery and Finnish production company Blind Spot Pictures, you’ve had extensive experience in the gaming industry. Can you share what insights from this background can be beneficial when dealing with an event that is typically focused on films and television?
I would say something that has really stayed with me from that time is the interest in doing things differently, and the openness to new kinds of funding methods. I think that’s why it worked out so well for me in the gaming industry, because with transmedia, compared to the average filmmaker or producer, we’re very open to trying new things, experimenting, keeping all the doors open. We don’t have to go through the same funding cycles and the same structure that has been there for 150 years. We’re creative people. Even if Finland, we should have done this a while ago.
As a passionate cinephile and innovator, I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration and experimentation. That’s why I organized an interactive gathering, uniting leaders from the film and gaming realms. The idea was born out of a desire to foster an environment that encourages exploration and learning.
Could you provide some insights about the fresh pitching session called Finnish Weird, which is a novelty this year? What sparked this idea?
Finnish Weird came about from us looking at the feedback from the previous years, when so many people had asked for more pitches. At the same time, we knew that there aren’t that many avenues for up-and-coming filmmakers. Also, talking to people in the industry, I know that everyone in our industry, no matter what job they’re doing, they all have projects in their desk drawer — some creative project that might be their secret dream, the dream that they don’t even dare show anyone. It might be so weird that the budget is just unheard of in their country, or there might be some other obstacle.
We wanted to be very inclusive. We wanted to just say ‘welcome’ to the people who are maybe on the sidelines of the industry, some people who don’t just make Nordic thrillers, who don’t write crime series, just because they know channels will buy them. We knew that there are these pockets of amazing creativity. Why can’t Helsinki one day be the capital of weird projects, where we have all these amazing, unique ideas that you just cannot find anywhere else?
Upon your appointment, you mentioned the goal of enhancing Finland’s global connections and offering fresh viewpoints. Could you share some insights into how you intend to make this a reality?
The Finnish Film Affair has thrived as a special, intimate gathering – almost like a family reunion for the global film industry. Our goal is to maintain this warm and welcoming atmosphere while expanding the event’s reach on an international scale. To achieve this, we plan to broaden our horizons beyond Europe, aiming to bring together film enthusiasts from all corners of the world. Currently, we boast a strong contingent of attendees from the Nordics and Europe. However, we have aspirations to grow our influence even further.
This is your first Finnish Film Affair. What do you want this event to look like moving forward?
In today’s context, with budget cuts affecting cultural support and overall government spending, it’s increasingly crucial to foster creative thinking. This is the ideal moment to introduce any innovative projects we have at Finnish Film Affair, as people are becoming more open to new ideas. Finnish Film Affair serves as a secure platform for open dialogue on various topics. There are no wrong or right answers here; it’s all about sharing and learning. Whether it’s discussing employment trends, essential skills for staying competitive, or rethinking funding models: There are many sensitive issues that often go unspoken. What’s vital is that we provide a forum where such discussions can take place without fear of judgment. I believe this is particularly important during these challenging times.
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2024-09-20 07:47