Helsinki-filmi
Helsinki-filmi is a Helsinki-based film and television production company founded in 2002, producing feature films, drama series, and documentaries for Finnish broadcasters, pan-European SVODs, theatrical distributors, and international sales agents as an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Helsinki-filmi does
Helsinki-filmi Oy is a Finnish film and television production company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Helsinki. The company produces feature films, drama series, and documentaries across theatrical, broadcast, and streaming distribution, with a catalogue of more than 30 feature films including Tove, Tom of Finland, Heart of a Lion, and the Lapland Odyssey franchise. Its core operations span development, financing, physical production, and post-production, anchored by a leadership team led by CEO Teea Hyytiä and Head of Drama Mia Ylönen. Since 2021 the company has operated as an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios, the Finnish group that also includes Aurora Pictures and Cinemanse (film import and distribution).
The company's revenue model is project-based and built around three interlocking streams: commissioning fees from Finnish and international broadcasters and streaming platforms (Yle, Elisa Viihde, SkyShowtime, C More, Disney+ Nordic); co-production financing from European partners and public funding bodies (notably the Finnish Film Foundation, which provides €300K–€900K per project); and backend participation from theatrical distribution (SF Studios) and international sales agents (LevelK, The Yellow Affair, About Premium Content). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by project scope, talent, and distribution rights.
On the technology front, Helsinki-filmi's most notable capability is virtual production — Icebreaker (Jään vangit), a 2025 six-part thriller series for Elisa Viihde, was filmed using FireFrame's LED virtual studio combined with real maritime footage, enabling arctic storm and underwater sequences that would otherwise be impractical. Its go-to-market relies on winning commissions from a diversified roster of buyers, entering international co-productions with partners in Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, and the UK, and leveraging film-festival premieres (Sundance, Berlinale, Toronto, Gothenburg, Venice Days, Canneseries) to drive international sales and brand recognition. The company also receives discretionary public funding, with the Finnish Film Foundation distributing over €3.1 million across 477 funding decisions in a single recent cycle.
Helsinki-filmi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Helsinki-filmi
- Legal name
- Helsinki-Filmi Oy
- Website
- https://helsinkifilmi.fi
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Helsinki-filmi is a Helsinki-based film and television production company founded in 2002, producing feature films, drama series, and documentaries for Finnish broadcasters, pan-European SVODs, theatrical distributors, and international sales agents as an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Helsinki-filmi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film and Television Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales) (MPADAJAC)
Keywords
Where Helsinki-filmi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Helsinki-filmi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Film and Series Production: Production of feature films, documentaries, and drama series for theatrical release, streaming platforms, and broadcast television. Revenue generated through production fees, co-production financing, and backend participation.
- Commissioning Fees: Productions commissioned by Finnish and international broadcasters including Yle, Elisa Viihde, SkyShowtime, C More, and Disney+ Nordic Original Series.
- Co-production and International Sales: European co-productions with international partners generating revenue through international sales, world sales agents (LevelK, The Yellow Affair), and festival screenings.
- Film Foundation Funding: Production grants and development support from the Finnish Film Foundation (€3.1 million+ distributed across 477 funding decisions in December).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based film and series production quotes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels3 records
Helsinki-filmi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Helsinki-filmi is a Finnish film and television production company that produces feature films, drama series, and documentaries for theatrical release, streaming platforms, and broadcast television. The company secures commissioning fees from broadcasters and streamers (Yle, Elisa Viihde, SkyShowtime, C More, Disney+), engages in European co-productions, and generates revenue through international sales agents and theatrical distribution.
Product overview
Helsinki-filmi is a Finnish film and series production company founded in 2002 and operating as an independent subsidiary of Aurora Studios. The company produces a diverse portfolio of feature films, television series, and documentaries, including notable titles such as Tove, Teräsleidit, Tom of Finland, Heart of a Lion, Lapland Odyssey, Prinsessa Pikkiriikki, The Summer Book, and Icebreaker. Their productions span multiple formats including theatrical films, streaming series for platforms like Yle, Elisa Viihde, SkyShowtime, and Ruutu+, and documentaries. Recent productions include youth series Sneakermania for Yle Areena, thriller series Icebreaker for Elisa Viihde featuring virtual studio technology, and literary adaptations like The Summer Book and The More Loving One. The company has produced over 30 feature films and several drama series, with works distributed globally and featured at major festivals including Berlinale, Toronto, Sundance, and Venice.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sneakermania 8-episode drama-comedy series about a 17-year-old sneakerhead influencer navigating friendship and competition in Helsinki sneaker culture. Commissioned for Yle Areena.
- Tell Everyone (Kerro kaikille) Historical drama about women committed to a mental asylum on Seili island in 1898, based on true events and Katja Kallio's book.
- Ladies of Steel - Like There's No Tomorrow (Teräsleidit - kuin viimeistä päivää) Comedy sequel featuring 75-year-old Inkeri on a road trip with her sisters, believing she has two weeks to live.
- Icebreaker (Jään vangit) 6-part thriller series set on a stranded icebreaker in the Gulf of Bothnia, combining virtual studio technology at FireFrame studios with maritime drama.
- The More Loving One (Anna minun rakastaa enemmän) Film adaptation of Juha Itkonen's novel about a small-town couple whose relationship is tested by dreams of stardom in the music industry.
- The Summer Book (Kesäkirja) English-language adaptation of Tove Jansson's beloved novel about a young girl and grandmother spending summer on a Finnish island.
- Sunset Grove (Ehtoolehto) 8-part crime comedy series about three retirement home residents investigating mysterious disappearances and a cook's suspicious death.
- Sebastian Drama about a 25-year-old writer in London who works as a sex worker to research his debut novel.
- Pepe Documentary about Pepe Willberg's career and Finnish pop music history spanning seven decades.
- Itty Bitty Princess (Prinsessa Pikkiriikki) Family film adaptation of the popular Finnish children's book series about a princess on adventures.
- Codename: Annika Series about Finnish detective Emma Haka going undercover in Stockholm's art world to investigate money laundering. Commissioned for SkyShowtime.
- The Worst Idea Ever Film about two lifelong game designers whose friendship unravels as one longs for nostalgic youth while the other wants to marry.
- Tove Biographical drama about Tove Jansson's life in post-WWII Helsinki, focusing on her relationships and creation of the Moomins.
- Dogs Don't Wear Pants (Koirat eivät käytä housuja) Dark romantic drama about a widower's intense connection with a dominatrix following a tragic event.
- Tom of Finland Biographical drama about Touko Laaksonen, the Finnish artist behind the Tom of Finland homoerotic drawings.
- Heart of a Lion (Leijonasydän) Drama about a neo-Nazi who falls in love with a woman whose son is black, forcing him to confront his beliefs.
- Lapland Odyssey (Napapiirin sankarit) Comedy about Janne from Lapland on a quest to find a digital TV box before dawn to save his relationship.
- Comeback Film about a rock band reuniting when their sober singer relapses, featuring a quest to reclaim fame.
- DikDek Dark comedy series about a private detective who opens a haunted bed and breakfast with his wife. Commissioned for C More Original.
- The Replacement (Sijainen) Psychological thriller series about an architect on maternity leave who suspects her replacement is taking over her life. Commissioned for Elisa Viihde.
- The Machinery (Koneisto) Action thriller set between Norway and Sweden about a man who wakes up with no memory and a bag of money.
- Thin Blue Line (Ohuella langalla) Swedish drama series depicting the daily lives of six police officers in Malmö and their struggles to separate work and personal life.
- Ladies of Steel (Teräsleidit) Comedy about 75-year-old Inkeri who flees with her sisters after hitting her husband with a frying pan. Highest-grossing domestic premiere and most-watched Finnish film of 2020 with 247,071 admissions.
- Lost Boys Documentary following Finnish men from the Reindeerspotting documentary who disappeared into Asia's streets.
Quantifiable outcome
- The Summer Book exceeded 100,000 admissions in Finland
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Helsinki-filmi
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Helsinki-filmi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Helsinki-filmi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- SF StudioscoreNordic theatrical distribution partner handling film releases and home entertainment across Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Distributor for major Helsinki-filmi productions including Ladies of Steel and The Summer Book.
- LevelKcoreInternational world sales agent handling global distribution rights for Helsinki-filmi productions including Sebastian and Tove. Manages festival sales and international licensing.
- The Yellow AffaircoreWorld sales agent for multiple Helsinki-filmi productions including Ladies of Steel, Dogs Don't Wear Pants, Tom of Finland, and The Summer Book.
- Elisa ViihdecoreFinnish streaming platform commissioning original series from Helsinki-filmi including Icebreaker (Jään vangit), Sunset Grove (Ehtoolehto), and The Replacement (Sijainen).
- YlecoreFinnish public broadcaster commissioning original series including Sneakermania and acquiring television broadcast rights for Helsinki-filmi productions.
- SkyShowtimecoreInternational streaming platform commissioning series Codename: Annika (Koodinimi: Annika) for their pan-European streaming service.
- Disney+flagshipCommissioned first Nordic Original Series To Cook a Bear for Disney+ streaming platform.
- C MorecoreCommissioning original comedy series DikDek for C More Original platform.
- About Premium Content (APC)coreInternational sales agent handling international distribution of Icebreaker (Jään vangit) series to markets including Spain, Portugal, Australia, Germany, UK, and Poland.
- Free Range FilmscoreCo-production partner for The Summer Book film adaptation of Tove Jansson's beloved book.
- Stille ProductionscoreCo-production partner for The Summer Book.
- High Frequency EntertainmentcoreCo-production partner for The Summer Book.
- Lemming FilmcoreCo-production partner for Sebastian film.
- Ima IduozeecoreDirector of Sneakermania, first youth series from Helsinki-filmi. Received Helsinki City Artist of the Year 2023 award and previously directed internationally successful short film After We're Gone.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Helsinki-filmi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zentropa: Danish film and TV production company (founded by Lars von Trier and Peter Aalbæk Jensen) producing feature films and drama series for Nordic and international markets. Directly comparable to Helsinki-filmi in scale, genre mix spanning auteur drama to commercial fare, and pan-European co-production approach.
- Nimbus Film: Danish production company producing drama series, feature films, and documentaries for DR, TV 2, and international streamers. Comparable in producing prestige Nordic drama, accessing cross-Nordic co-production financing, and serving similar broadcaster/streamer client base.
- Nice Drama: Norwegian-Swedish production company producing drama series for NRK, SVT, and international platforms. Comparable in producing prestige Nordic drama series with international co-production partners and similar broadcaster relationships.
- Anagram: Swedish production company producing drama series and feature films for SVT and international platforms, including co-productions with Nordic partners. Comparable in genre mix (drama, thriller, literary adaptation) and co-production-driven financing model.
- Filmlance International: Swedish production company producing drama series and feature films for SVT, Netflix, and other international platforms, including the Bridge trilogy. Comparable in producing high-end Nordic drama for global streamers and competing for similar commission slots.
- Rabbit Films: Finnish production company producing drama series and feature films for domestic broadcasters (Yle, MTV) and international platforms. Direct Finnish peer competing for the same commissioning slots, broadcaster relationships, and Finnish Film Foundation financing.
- Yellow Bird: Swedish production company known for the Millennium/Dragon Tattoo film series and other Nordic noir content. Comparable in producing internationally distributed Nordic crime/thriller content with co-production financing across multiple territories.
- MRP Matila Röhr Productions: Finnish film production company producing feature films and drama series for domestic and international markets. Direct Finnish peer with overlapping genre mix and competing for the same Yle and Finnish broadcaster commission relationships.
Broad incumbents
- SF Studios: Swedish film studio and Nordic distributor (part of Bonnier Group). Functions both as Helsinki-filmi's Nordic theatrical distribution partner and as a producer of Nordic and international feature films and series - making it a comparable incumbent with broader portfolio scope including distribution.
- Nordisk Film: Danish-Nordic production and distribution major (Egmont-owned) producing feature films, drama series, and operating cinemas across Scandinavia. Comparable as a larger incumbent Nordic production-and-distribution group with broader portfolio and deeper resources.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Helsinki-filmi social profiles
Digital presenceHelsinki-filmi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Helsinki-filmi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Helsinki-filmi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Helsinki-filmi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Helsinki-filmi
What does Helsinki-filmi do?
Helsinki-filmi is a Finnish film and television production company that produces feature films, drama series, and documentaries for theatrical release, streaming platforms, and broadcast television. The company secures commissioning fees from broadcasters and streamers (Yle, Elisa Viihde, SkyShowtime, C More, Disney+), engages in European co-productions, and generates revenue through international sales agents and theatrical distribution.
Is Helsinki-filmi a public or private company?
Helsinki-filmi is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Helsinki-filmi founded?
Helsinki-filmi was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Helsinki-filmi based?
Helsinki-filmi is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Helsinki-filmi make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Film and Series Production is the primary driver. The others are commissioning Fees, co-production and International Sales and film Foundation Funding.
Who are Helsinki-filmi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zentropa, Nimbus Film, Nice Drama, Anagram, Filmlance International, Rabbit Films, Yellow Bird and MRP Matila Röhr Productions. Broad incumbents are SF Studios and Nordisk Film.
Does Helsinki-filmi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Helsinki-filmi.
What industry is Helsinki-filmi in?
Helsinki-filmi's product category is Film and Television Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADADAJ, Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries, with a secondary code of MPADAJAC, International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales). Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.