14/05/2018 - Finnish producer Miia Haavisto, of Tekele Productions, talks to us about her work and her selection for EFP’s Producers on the Move

Miia Haavisto is a trained lawyer with a BA in Documentary Film Directing. In addition to producing, she was the CEO for two production companies - Helsinki-filmi and Elokuvaosakeyhtiö Suomi 2017 - before setting up her own company Tekele Productions in 2018. During her time at Helsinki-filmi, she produced such films as Pixadores [+see also:
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film profile], Headfirst [+see also:
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film profile], Gold Digger [+see also:
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film profile], Tom of Finland [+see also:
film review
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interview: Dome Karukoski
film profile] and Miami [+see also:
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film profile], and then worked with producers Aku Louhimies and Mikko Tehunen on The Unknown Soldier [+see also:
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film profile] in 2017. Haavisto talked to us about her work and her selection for European Film Promotion’s 2018 Producers on the Move at the 71^st Cannes Film Festival. 

Cineuropa: Which is the film you are most proud of and why?
Miia Haavisto: This is a very difficult question. I am proud of different films for very different reasons. However, I think it has to be Pixadores by Amir Arsamis Escandari. It is a documentary film about four Brazilian street artists and trainsurfers in Sao Paolo. It was my first co-production and the film was shot entirely in Brazil and Berlin. I am proud that we pulled it of even if it was very demanding. We managed to create not only a great film, if I may so say, but working relations which will last forever. If I have to pick just one, then it is Pixadores.

What are the challenges and merits of producing in Finland?
The job of the producer is still not familiar to the entire industry in Finland. There is a strong tradition of directors producing their own films still. However, it is great to have a strong network of like-minded producers with whom we can talk and throw ideas about timely issues for the industry. There are many things only another producer will grasp. I am lucky to have great producer friends. The merits? Well, that it is so easy to get to meet people and contact whomever in Finland, for example.

What are your expectations in Cannes as one of the "Producers on the Move"?
I look forward to meeting new people and to participating in interesting discussions. I am actively looking for a co-production for Tekele Productions, too, so that is a focus point for me too, during this session. I will wake up early to see a film or two, too. I love the morning screenings in Cannes.

What are your next projects?
My project at Producers on the Move is called The Confirmation by Ulla Heikkilä. It is in development and we are eager to hear the first reactions to the script this spring. It is a fresh and funny take on a youth camp over the course of one summer week. There is a lot of drama unfolding in unusual circumstances.

As to my other productions, the very first film of Tekele Productions is now in production. It is a short film and a black comedy about a timely issue called The Target by Antti Heikki Pesonen, with whom we have worked together for seven years on different projects. My next documentary film called Lost Boys together with Helsinki-filmi is in post-production at the moment.