The project will start with a seminar focusing on content for young people in the auditorium of VR’s Iso Paja (Radiokatu 3, Helsinki) on 26 February 2025 at 13.00–16.00.
Seminar programme and registration
The project in a nutshell
The project is seeking bold content with the theme of ‘things you can’t talk about.’ The films must feature a strong observation on the target group’s world and identities. We are looking for entries that play with form and narration in a manner that is faithful to the generation and puts hope first.
- a live-action or animated film based on an original script
- targeted at people aged 16–19 living in Finland
- duration 5–6 min
- vertical and horizontal versions will be made of the short film
- having representatives of the target group in the working group is considered to be an advantage.
The films of the Young People’s Short Film Festival will be shown on Yle’s platforms and social media channels in the autumn of 2026.
Theme: things you can’t talk about
In the 2020s, identities are emphasised through social media and a fragmented society. Even though Finnish people argue on social media, which would indicate that polarisation has been on the rise, surveys show that we are still a consensus-seeking nation. What unites us more than divides us in these times, and why?
For example, the observation of the short film can stem from being encountered, the importance of emotional skills, the impact of values or beliefs, creating a genuine connection despite disagreeing completely, ‘incel’-related musings, love for one’s own community or the perspective of a ‘trad’ woman.
We are not seeking content based on concern, nor are we teaching or preaching. We are looking for an empathically comedic approach and faith in the future.
A shared universe for separate festival movies
We will join the short films selected for the festival together into a mosaic story. The films will be standalone works, but we will create more than a thematic connection between them. For example, we could achieve this by having one character appear in several short films or repeat one location (c.f. Kieślowski’s Three Colours trilogy). Each film can be viewed as an individual work, or the viewer can feel the joy of spotting an easter egg in the festival mosaic. The filmmakers must be open to the creation of a mosaic.
The funders of the project are also hoping to find new young talents for the industry through the festival. The selected films will be collaborated with closely and supported with services, such as those of a dramaturge. We will develop the mosaic framework at a joint workshop.
Project schedule
- Applications must be sent by 29 April 2025.
- The selected projects will be invited to the second phase by 31 May 2025.
- Interviews will be held in early June 2025. Six projects will be selected for development.
- The development process will take place in June and August 2025.
- Four projects will be selected for production in September 2025.
- The productions will be completed in 2026 and screened by Yle in the autumn of 2026.
Application process
The application process has three phases.
First phase of the application process
The applicant must submit their application via the AVEK application system by 29 April 2025. The application form will become available on 26 February 2025.
The application must feature:
- a logline and a synopsis (provided directly on the application form)
- a script (optional appendix)
- a word from the author(s) (compulsory appendix)
- the authors’ CVs and work samples (compulsory appendix)
- a preliminary production schedule (compulsory appendix)
- any additional materials (videos, a mood board, etc., no download links).
If needed, we will ask the applicant for additional appendices.
Second phase of the application process
We will invite projects that caught our interest to an interview in May 2025. We will select six projects to be developed, support them with a €2,000 grant and provide content help.
In this phase, the projects must also have a production company. In addition to the aforementioned appendices, we will request a more detailed production plan and a cost breakdown.
Third phase of the application process
Four film projects will be selected for implementation and provided with €60,000 of funding and support for further development of their content.
The funding allocated to the project by AVEK comes from Kopiosto’s national funds intended for the promotion of Finnish creative industry projects.
Good references regarding content for the target age group of 16–19 years
Enquiries:
Mikko Peltonen
Commissioning Editor, Yle Film Team
mikko.peltonen(at)yle.fi
Mikko Silvennoinen
Commissioner, Yle Nuoret
mikko.silvennoinen(at)yle.fi
Oskar Forstén
Commissioner, AVEK
oskar.forsten(at)avek.kopiosto.fi
Anna Patronen
Secretary General, Church Media Foundation
anna.patronen(at)evl.fi
