The future of all cultural activity is now on the line. The government is planning massive cuts to cultural funding and the operations of the Finnish Film Foundation. These cuts will be a death blow to Finnish film production, distribution, and the entire industry.
Why cut funding from Finnish film, when there is well-documented evidence that money invested in film production returns many times over to the state through taxes and employment? Either this decision is a mistake, or it is something far more alarming. We must stand together to defend freedom of expression, diversity of voices, and culture.
According to the Finnish Film Foundation, if the planned cuts are implemented, the number of domestic film premieres could drop by as much as half. These cuts would be catastrophic for the entire Finnish film industry, from production companies and cinemas to film festivals. According to the Film Foundation, if the cuts go through, Finnish content, films and TV series will no longer be available to audiences in the same way.
Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy stands united with the Finnish film industry in demanding that the government reverse these cuts. The proposed cuts will go before Parliament next week. There is still time to act for the future of the film industry: write to Members of Parliament (firstname.lastname(at)eduskunta.fi) and spread the word in your own networks.
Here is an email template you can use to contact the government representatives:
“Dear Member of Parliament,
I am deeply concerned for the future of Finnish film culture. The government’s proposed cuts to cultural funding and the operations of the Finnish Film Foundation will, if implemented, devastate the entire Finnish film industry.
I urge you to do the right thing and stop these cuts from going forward.
Best regards,”