Sinun Ciné 2025 culminates on 22 August at Kino Tapiola!
Now in its fourth year, the Sinun Ciné Idea Competition brings together emerging filmmakers and series creators to refine their ideas alongside mentors. Launched in 2022, the competition is an initiative by Espoo Ciné to promote a more diverse film industry, and is specifically aimed at underrepresented minorities in the Finnish media landscape.
This year, the competition especially encouraged applications from creators with disabilities. Sinun Ciné has been open to students and early-career creators whose work has not yet been commercially distributed.
As in previous years, a panel of experts assembled by the Finnish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild (Sunklo) selected ten finalists from the open call. During a two-day workshop held at Tekstintalo in Helsinki on May 14–15, the finalists had the opportunity to get to know each other and meet their mentors from the film and TV industry. Each finalist was paired with a mentor who helped them refine their storytelling and develop their ideas. Over the course of the workshop, participants practiced pitching, attended professional talks, and heard experiences from Sinun Ciné alumni.
The 2025 Sinun Ciné competition will culminate in a public event at Kino Tapiola on 22 August. Beginning at 12:30 PM, the event will feature an OAF Academy info session, a keynote by Ilona Vehmas (Finnish Film Foundation), and a panel discussion with audiovisual professionals on funding and its challenges. The panel includes producer Anita Hyppönen, director-screenwriter Reetta Aalto, filmmaker Samppa Batal, and AVEK director Ulla Simonen. The moderator is Zagros Manuchar.
The culmination of the Sinun Ciné process and anticipation will be the pitch competition starting at 2:45 PM, where the finalists will present their ideas to both the public and the jury. The jury includes Sinun Ciné winner, Crip Ciné directing group member, writer, and disability activist Pinja Eskola; former Finnish Film Foundation production director Erkki Astala; filmmaker Jenni-Juulia Wallinheimo-Heimonen; screenwriter Anna Brotkin; and Yle dramaturge Laura Lappalainen. The winner will be announced at 5:00 PM during the event.
The winner of Sinun Ciné will also be awarded later that same day during the opening screening of the Espoo Ciné festival at the Espoo Cultural Centre. Sinun Ciné Prize, donated by the City of Espoo, is valued at 2,500 euros. This year, the prize also includes accreditation for Finnish Film Affair.
12:30–14:30 | Talks Programme
OAF Academy Info Session by the Outsider Arts Festival
Keynote by Ilona Vehmas
Panel Discussion with Reetta Aalto, Samppa Batal, Anita Hyppönen and Ulla Simonen, moderated by Zagros Manuchar
14:45–16:00 | Pitching Competition
17:00 | Winner Announcement
The event is in English, but the pitches may be presented in either English or Finnish. Accessibility information for Kino Tapiola.
Previous Sinun Ciné winners include Yasmin Najjar (2024), Maaret Louhelainen (2023), and Pinja Eskola (2022). Read about their experiences in the competition: Yasmin Najjar | Maaret Louhelainen | Pinja Eskola
Applications for the 2025 competition closed on March 26, 2025. Stay tuned for details on the 2026 competition!
Sinun Ciné idea competition is supported by AVEK, the City of Espoo and Finnish Film Affair.