What Aurora Studios does

Aurora Studios Oy is a Helsinki-headquartered, privately held Nordic film and television production and distribution group founded in 2014. It finances, develops, produces and distributes feature films, drama series, documentaries and animation for Finnish and international audiences, operating through wholly owned subsidiaries Helsinki-filmi (production) and Cinemanse (international arthouse import and theatrical distribution), and a 40% stake in animation studio Anima Vitae. The company manages the Finnish Impact Film Fund (FIFF), a private equity fund investing in quality Nordic content that reached EUR 13.5M in total commitment at its second closing in October 2022. Aurora's go-to-market relies on festival premieres (Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Canneseries), international co-productions, and distribution partnerships — notably SF Studios for Finnish theatrical releases (agreement December 2023) and Scanbox Entertainment for selected Nordic and international titles — alongside streaming output via Yle, Elisa Viihde and Ruutu. The group reported revenue of approximately EUR 12 million in 2022 across Aurora Studios, Helsinki-filmi and Cinemanse.

Aurora's revenue mechanics mix one-time licensing and theatrical distribution fees from individual productions, project-based co-production financing and revenue share, and recurring managed-services income from the FIFF fund. Its content slate includes the only Finnish film in over 50 years to surpass 1 million cinema goers (The Unknown Soldier, 2017), festival-selected titles such as Sebastian (Sundance 2024), Mummola (Berlinale Encounters 2023, NDR Film Prize), The Summer Book starring Glenn Close (2025), and the Canneseries-selected series Sneakermania (2026). The group employs between 11 and 50 people and is owned by Otava (Finland's leading publishing house), Icecapital Oy, Aristo-Invest Oy and the executive board, with Teea Hyytiä installed as CEO in November 2023 to lead the company's strategic pivot toward international co-production financing and broader Nordic distribution.

Name

Aurora Studios

Legal name

Aurora Studios Oy

Website

https://aurorastudios.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aurora Studios is a Helsinki-based Nordic film and television production and distribution group that finances, develops, produces and distributes feature films, drama series and documentaries across the Nordics through subsidiaries Helsinki-filmi, Cinemanse, and the managed Finnish Impact Film Fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film and Television Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Distribution Strategy & Release Planning (MPADAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sales Agency Representation & Deal Structuring (MPADAAAK), Animated Feature Film Production (MPADACAH)

Keywords

• Film production services
• Tv drama series
• Theatrical distribution
• Film fund management
• International co-productions

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Film Production: Development, production and distribution of feature films and TV drama series in the Nordics. Revenue generated through theatrical releases, international sales, and co-production financing.
2. Finnish Impact Film Fund Management: Aurora Studios manages the FIFF, a private equity fund that invests in high-quality films and series. The fund grew from EUR 5.5 million to EUR 13.5 million and provides financing returns through successful productions.
3. Distribution Revenue: Through subsidiaries Cinemanse (international arthouse films) and SF Studios partnership (Finnish films), revenue is generated from theatrical distribution, home entertainment, and international sales.
4. Co-production Financing: International co-productions with Nordic and international partners provide financing, distribution access to multiple territories, and revenue sharing arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aurora Studios finances, develops, produces and distributes high-quality feature films and TV drama series in the Nordics and beyond. Through its subsidiaries Helsinki-filmi (production) and Cinemanse (arthouse distribution), the company offers an integrated value chain from development and co-production financing to theatrical release, streaming delivery, and international sales, including the managed Finnish Impact Film Fund (FIFF).

Product overview

Aurora Studios is a creative powerhouse that finances, develops, produces, and distributes high-quality films and TV drama in the Nordics and beyond. The company operates as a platform combining multiple sub-brands: Helsinki-filmi handles feature film and series production (over 30 films including Teräsleidit, The Summer Book, Sebastian, Jään vangit, Sneakermania); Cinemanse manages arthouse film import and distribution; the Finnish Impact Film Fund (FIFF) provides private equity financing; and Anima Vitae (40% owned) handles animation. The core offering encompasses feature films, TV drama series, documentaries, and animation, with distribution through partners like SF Studios for theatrical releases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Summer Book (Kesäkirja) Oscar-nominated feature film adaptation of Tove Jansson's celebrated novel, starring Glenn Close; produced for theatrical release and international distribution.
• Sebastian Drama film about a 25-year-old aspiring writer living a double life, selected for Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Competition.
• Ladies of Steel – Like There's No Tomorrow (Teräsleidit – kuin viimeistä päivää) Standalone comedy sequel to the hit 2020 film Teräsleidit, produced by Helsinki-filmi and distributed by SF Studios.
• Anna minun rakastaa enemmän Feature film adaptation of Juha Itkonen's bestselling novel, released in Finnish theaters with an accompanying five-track soundtrack EP.
• Tonttu Family Christmas adventure film shot in Finnish Lapland with international co-financing; described as the Finnish Harry Potter.
• John Rambo Feature film entry in the iconic Rambo action franchise, directed by Jalmari Helander and starring Noah Centineo.
• Jään vangit (Prisoners of Ice) Six-part original thriller series for Elisa Viihde combining real Baltic Sea footage with virtual studio technology; internationally sold by About Premium Content.
• Sneakermania Eight-part drama comedy series for Yle about sneaker culture; first drama series direction by Ima Iduozee; selected for Canneseries Short Form Competition.
• Pepe Documentary Documentary chronicling Finnish pop music icon Pepe Willberg's 50+ year career.
• Finnish Impact Film Fund (FIFF) Private equity fund managed by Aurora Studios that invests in high-quality Nordic films and TV series, with EUR 13.5 million total commitment from Aurora Studios owners and six Finnish institutional investors.
• Theatrical Distribution Services Theatrical distribution of Aurora's Finnish productions handled via SF Studios partnership, with international arthouse import and distribution handled by subsidiary Cinemanse.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Unknown Soldier reached over 1 million cinema goers - first Finnish film in 50+ years to achieve this
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SF StudioscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 December 2023SF Studios took over distribution of Aurora Studios' Finnish films as part of a significant cooperation agreement aligned with Aurora's new strategy. SF Studios handles theatrical distribution and marketing of Aurora's domestic productions including Teräsleidit, Anna minun rakastaa enemmän, and Kerro kaikille. Cinemanse continues international arthouse import/distribution.
• Scanbox EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 February 2023Aurora Studios entered collaboration with Scanbox Entertainment as new theatrical distribution partner for Scanbox in Finland, and for Aurora/Cinemanse's theatrical lineup. Scanbox holds theatrical distribution rights for Nordic films including Tonttu and serves as international sales agent.
• Helsinki-filmicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelsinki-filmi is Aurora Studios' subsidiary production company, founded 2002. Has produced over 30 feature films including Tove, Teräsleidit, Tom of Finland, and drama series including Codename: Annika, Ehtoolehto, Jään vangit. All Aurora group films and series produced under Helsinki-filmi brand.
• CinemansecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCinemanse is Aurora Studios' subsidiary for international arthouse film import and theatrical distribution in Finland. Founded 2013, it distributes own acquisitions and holds theatrical distribution rights for Scanbox films in Finland. Surpassed 300,000 viewers in 2024.
• Anima VitaeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAurora Studios owns 40% of Anima Vitae, an internationally successful animation studio based in Finland.
• About Premium Content (APC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent handling Jään vangit (Prisoners of Ice) series to multiple countries including Germany, UK, and Poland.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Anagram: Anagram is a Swedish production company focused on premium series and films for global streaming platforms. It is an emerging peer with overlapping production DNA but smaller distribution footprint than Aurora.

Direct peers

• SF Studios: SF Studios is a leading Nordic production and distribution company based in Sweden, now Aurora's domestic theatrical distribution partner. It is a direct peer across production, distribution, and financing, and the most direct benchmark for Nordic theatrical market economics.
• Nordisk Film: Nordisk Film is the largest Nordic film production and distribution company (Egmont Group), active across feature films, series, and distribution. It is the most direct peer to Aurora's integrated production-distribution platform across Scandinavia and the Nordics.
• Scanbox Entertainment: Scanbox Entertainment is a Nordic theatrical distributor and international sales agent (and an Aurora partner since 2023). It is directly comparable as a Nordic film distributor handling titles such as Tonttu, and as a sales agent for Aurora's slates.
• Zentropa: Zentropa is a major Danish film and series production company (part of the Egmont/Nordisk orbit historically). It is comparable to Helsinki-filmi in scale and genre mix, and shares Aurora's reliance on co-productions and international sales.
• MUBI: MUBI is a global arthouse film distribution and streaming platform. It is a direct peer to Cinemanse's arthouse import and theatrical distribution model, and a benchmark for monetizing curated international cinema.
• TrustNordisk: TrustNordisk is the leading Nordic international sales agent, handling theatrical and series rights for Scandinavian producers. It is a direct peer to Aurora's international sales activity (e.g., via About Premium Content) and a benchmark for Nordic sales economics.
• Yellow Affair: Yellow Affair is a Finnish/Nordic distribution and production company active in theatrical releases and international sales. It is comparable to Aurora's Cinemanse subsidiary and Helsinki-filmi production arm within the same Finnish market.

Broad incumbents

• Banijay Group: Banijay Group is Europe's largest independent content producer and distributor. Aurora's CEO Teea Hyytiä previously ran Banijay's Finnish subsidiary (Jarowskij Finland Oy) for 22 years. Banijay is a broad incumbent that operates across all of Aurora's segments at much larger scale.

Regional players

• Film i Väst: Film i Väst is a regional Swedish film fund and co-producer financing international productions shot in western Sweden. It is comparable to FIFF as a regional/public co-production financier in the broader Nordic ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aurorastudiosfinland
• Instagraminstagram.com/elokuviin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aurorastudios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aurora Studios