The Espoo Ciné’s signature award was presented today at the festival’s opening ceremony to actress Laura Birn. The award is given annually to an individual or entity that has contributed to promoting Finnish film culture.
According to the jury, composed of members of the festival’s board, Birn is known as a versatile and adaptable artist whose performances have been enjoyed both on intimate small stages and through streaming services.
A graduate of the Theatre Academy, Birn has been at the forefront of Finnish cinema for over twenty years. She has appeared in films such as Helmiä ja sikoja (Pearls and Pigs), Puhdistus (Purge), Helene, Void, as well as the television series Munkkivuori. Internationally, Birn has been seen in The Ones Below, the series Foundation, and the Hollywood film The Crow, which premiered today. Throughout her career, Birn has also been awarded the State Prize for Cinema and the Jussi Award for Best Actress. Additionally, the short film Two Bodies on a Beach, co-written by Birn and Anna Paavilainen, won the Jussi Award for Best Short Film in 2020.
The Espoo Ciné Award is presented annually to a person or entity that promotes Finnish film culture towards a diverse European identity. The award, first presented in 2021, was won last year by the production company Elokuvayhtiö Aamu.
Tomorrow, Saturday 24 August, at 12:00, Kino Tapiola will host a tribute screening featuring Laura Birn’s films Void and Two Bodies on a Beach. After the screening, at 14:00, Birn will visit Kino’s terrace to discuss her acting career. She will be interviewed by Nunnu Karppinen.
Your Ciné Idea Competition Winner: Yasmin Najjar
The winner of the Your Ciné competition, which is intended for emerging filmmakers, was also awarded at today's opening ceremony. The 2024 Your Ciné Award was won by Yasmin Najjar with her idea TJ 86. Additionally, Hasina Fahim and Bella Meer with the idea Mamuhäät as well as Mukhtar Abdi and Zakariya Noor with the idea Karpe Diem were recognised with honourable mentions.
The jury of Your Ciné 2024 consists of Juha Elomäki (Distributor at Pirkanmaan elokuvakeskus), Taito Kawata (director, for example Netflix series Dance Brothers), Emilia Haukka (Producer at Aamu Film Company) and Veera Ojola (Producer at Yle Draama).
Your Ciné is an Espoo Ciné initiative aimed at promoting diversity in cinema, specifically targeting people underrepresented in the Finnish media landscape. More information about the competition can be found here.
The event is supported by AVEK and the City of Espoo.
In the picture: Laura Birn in the movie Two Bodies on a Beach.
