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Northern rap comes to Helsinki in Miina Alajärvi’s Rapland, pitched at FFA by producer Oona Saari. “This film is an important project in Finland and internationally, since it will shed light on the vibrant culture of the north that is not so well known even in South Finland. It will offer the audiences a window to rap culture thriving in the north,” Saari tells BDE. “For Finns and Sámi it is important to hear our own languages cherished in rap music.”

The brain of Nikke, who has Down’s Syndrome, sees and expresses the world differently, much of the time via the medium of drawing. In Sanna Liinamaa’s hybrid doc, Nikke’s brain leaps from his skull and undertakes an adventure through an animated world. “His Down’s syndrome is not at the centre of the film, but it is part of his background and influences the way he sees and expresses the world,” Finnish producer Jorma Kaulanen tells BDE. “[The film] is a visual, emotional and playful journey into the human mind.”

Finnish producer Outi Rousu discusses her new feature doc, about humankind’s relationship with the blood-sucking mosquito. “Extreme situations illustrate how difficult it is to control nature,” Rousu tells Business Doc Europe. “Human faith in its abilities is tested when [we encounter] the chaos and uncontrollability created by mosquitos. But the illusion of control over nature still lives deep within us humans.”

Fifty years after the birth of punk, legendary Finnish hardcore outfit Terveet Kädet will be celebrated, loud and proud, in Jukka Kärkkäinen’s eponymously-titled feature doc, scheduled for delivery in 2027. “Even though the film has a bit of stardust sprinkled on top of it, the main storyline revolves around the individuals of the band and what being part of the band means to them. The film will be a character-driven tribute to punk music,” producer Juha Löppönen tells Business Doc Europe.

Identity and belonging are at the heart of Finnish Einari Paakkanen’s feature doc in which two women fight to prove that Kven culture – a Norwegian minority culture with Finnish roots – is alive and kicking, even as everybody tries to convince them otherwise. “Director Einari has a unique cabability to get close to his characters, and he has a very warm-hearted approach. His films are both emotional and humouristic. This is definitely a strength for the production.” says producer Marianne Mäkelä (napafilms).

The Recovery is a powerful and timeless story of resilience and transformation, telling of Pekka Hyysalo, a rising pro-freestyle skier battling to reclaim his life and identity after a devastating accident. “This story has all the attributes to positively affect people from all walks of life to go the extra mile, and face the hardships that life throws at us all,” producer Van Padhaal tells BDE.

Noted Finnish actress Pihla Viitala (Deadwind, Netflix) makes her directorial debut with the feature doc Carmen!, described as “a powerful portrait of girlhood, following a Finnish Romani girl’s rarely seen journey from the innocence of childhood to the struggles of womanhood.” The film is produced by Elise Pietarila of Finnish production company Gimmeyawallet. “The beauty of the film is that, despite the challenges of Carmen’s life, the film isn’t a sob story - quite the opposite,” Pietarila tells Business Doc Europe.

“Creaturama – Epic of the Animals is unique because it is not a documentary about animals, but a cinematic collaboration with them,” Finnish director/writer Juha Suonpää [Lynx Man] tells Business Doc Europe of his new project, pitched at FFA in Helsinki. “For seven years, I placed trail cameras deep in Finnish forests — not to pursue or explain wildlife, but to allow animals themselves to trigger the camera - and to shape the film.”

In the Finnish doc project, pitched both at Finnish Film Affair and Nordisk Panorama, self-made enthusiast Valerio and scientist Sebastian simply can’t stand by and watch their favourite animals go extinct. So, as a last resort they take the endangered fish, geckos and salamanders into their own homes. “The film's number one strength internationally lies in its totally new point of view and cinematic values,” producer Juha Löppönen tells BDE. “Of course, the fact that the main characters speak German, Italian and English makes it easier to market and sell to international audiences.”

Short Competition titles are unveiled together with selections for Signed, Best of Fests, Current Future and Paradocs, as well as the Film Fund DocLab Interactive Grant winners for the 2025 edition. More than 107 films have now been added to the 2025 program. The 38th edition of IDFA runs from November 13 to 23 in Amsterdam. The final competition titles and full selection will be announced October 14.