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Kirsikka Saari


Born December 6, 1973

Arts undergraduate, Aalto University, 2009-
Master of Arts (General History), University of Helsinki, 2001

Screenwriter 2006-
Journalist and editorial secretary Anna magazine, 2003–2006
Journalist Ylioppilaslehti (Undergraduate newspaper), 2001, editorial secretary, 2002
Freelance reporter, incl. City newspaper and Image magazine, 1998-2001

Significant screenplays
Korso, feature-length film, (co-writer Jenni Toivoniemi, dir. Akseli Tuomivaara)
Pitääkö mun kaikki hoitaa? (‘Do I have to take care of everything?’), short film (dir. Selma Vilhunen)
Paratiisi, mini-series, 2010 (dir. Reetta Aalto)
Gorilla, short film, 2009 (dir. Hanna Bergholm)
Tyttöjen ilta (’Girls’ night out’), mini-series, 2008 (dir. Reetta Aalto)

Awards and nominations
Oscar nomination, Pitääkö mun kaikki hoitaa? 2014
Screenwriter of the Year, 2014
Sylvi Award nominee, 2011
Prix Geneva Europe finalist, 2010

Photo: Tommi Hakanen
Written by Kirsikka Saari (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by John Calton

My dream

I have always slogged away at things on my own. And that’s how it was when I was studying history. It’s only through work that I have learned how wonderful it is to have my own ‘band’, or a group of people working towards the same goal. When I was working for the University undergraduate newspaper, Heikki Valkama was the editor-in-chief. It was there that I learned how nice it is to work with others. It was an amazing feeling to get together to go through the pieces, to be part of an institution but still completely free. It was a wonderful time.

Today I am a partner in Tuffi Films Ltd, a film production company run by four women. We work in that same spirit: a commitment to trying to help each other, while at the same having the freedom to choose our own projects and decide which story is worth telling. But I can tell you, sorting out financial backing is much harder than it was at the student newspaper!

The Tuffi Films team works determinedly towards telling their own kind of stories. At the same time, the four partners of the company find it important to keep up good spirits. From left to right: Elli Toivoniemi, Kirsikka Saari, Jenni Toivoniemi and Selma Vilhunen. Photo: Tommi Hakanen.​
The Tuffi Films team works determinedly towards telling their own kind of stories. At the same time, the four partners of the company find it important to keep up good spirits. From left to right: Elli Toivoniemi, Kirsikka Saari, Jenni Toivoniemi and Selma Vilhunen. Photo: Tommi Hakanen.​

 

By

Kirsikka Saari


Born December 6, 1973

Arts undergraduate, Aalto University, 2009-
Master of Arts (General History), University of Helsinki, 2001

Screenwriter 2006-
Journalist and editorial secretary Anna magazine, 2003–2006
Journalist Ylioppilaslehti (Undergraduate newspaper), 2001, editorial secretary, 2002
Freelance reporter, incl. City newspaper and Image magazine, 1998-2001

Significant screenplays
Korso, feature-length film, (co-writer Jenni Toivoniemi, dir. Akseli Tuomivaara)
Pitääkö mun kaikki hoitaa? (‘Do I have to take care of everything?’), short film (dir. Selma Vilhunen)
Paratiisi, mini-series, 2010 (dir. Reetta Aalto)
Gorilla, short film, 2009 (dir. Hanna Bergholm)
Tyttöjen ilta (’Girls’ night out’), mini-series, 2008 (dir. Reetta Aalto)

Awards and nominations
Oscar nomination, Pitääkö mun kaikki hoitaa? 2014
Screenwriter of the Year, 2014
Sylvi Award nominee, 2011
Prix Geneva Europe finalist, 2010

Photo: Tommi Hakanen
Written by Kirsikka Saari (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by John Calton

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