Head of Acquisitions for the Omerta series loves what Finland has to offer

Well-known Swedish/Finnish actor and financer Yaba Holst is a big fan of Finland – especially the role it plays in high-quality Nordic film co-production.

Currently based in Denmark as Head of Acquisitions for the Omerta series for Sweden’s SF Studios, Yaba Holst knows what it takes to successfully produce and distribute films for international audiences. Holst, who is half Swedish and half Finnish, grew up in Sweden and lived in Finland for seven years while studying theatre and beginning her impressive, multifaceted film career.

Why Finland for filmmaking?

It’s clear that Yaba Holst’s enthusiasm for making films in Finland is rooted both in her results-based professional assessment of what Finland offers, and also in her personal fondness and respect for the country she sees as the most exotic part of the Nordic region.

When asked, “Why Finland?”, Holst makes a strong, practical case. “Pragmatically, one first always has to ask where one can get the most out of a place for the money spent, and Finland shines in this regard. Secondly, great locations are important, and Finland offers so many natural locations that are very accessible and usable. Third are the excellent crews, and then, as we are talking about the Nordics, Finland of course has an excellent infrastructure that’s on the same level as the rest of the Nordics – you can count on it.”

Holst continues, “Every film has its own kind of finances – and everything can be very different from project to project. So it’s never just about what tax rebate you can get from a given country, though of course that’s a part of it. It’s ultimately about the range of needs a project requires, never just the money.”

“Pragmatically, one first always has to ask where one can get the most out of a place for the money spent, and Finland shines in this regard." 

Co-producing is often the key 

As a Nordic film professional who thinks both regionally and globally, Holst emphasizes that “We co-produce and distribute lots of films in the Nordics, and Finland is an important space for us, especially when producing high-quality dramas. I always try to get the productions I am working with to consider co-producing with Finland, partly because you can count on a high level of expertise and so many good, exotic locations. Plus, Finland also has great post-production houses, which is of course a big part of any film project.” She continues, “Finland can provide both great co-producers, and helpful funding from the Finnish Film Foundation. It’s part of a great tradition of co-producing between all the Nordic countries – which has been instrumental in raising the quality of Nordic productions to a very high level.” 

Additionally, with Estonia so close, Holst points out that shooting in Finland means both easy access to the Baltics, not just in terms of geographic location, but because Finnish crews are very familiar with working there. She notes, “As projects often benefit from shooting in more than one country, this makes Finland a great base to work from, with lots of options to choose from.”

Professionalism you can count on

Holst has much praise for the Finnish work ethic and in particular the expertise of Finnish film crews, pointing out that they have a well-earned reputation for trustworthy, quiet competence. She comments, “I’m always amazed by the high-quality of the people working here in Finland – and they don’t tend to be the bragging type. Keep in mind that good crews can save significant time, which in filmmaking means saving money for you.” 

Locations, locations, locations

Yaba Holst’s enthusiasm for what Finland offers in terms of locations is not focused only on the wealth of exotic nature and the scale and purity of what many have called “Europe’s last big wilderness”. She also means the spirit of the Finnish mindset, saying, “Finland is really seen as really exotic, internationally. It has huge natural resources – it’s a place where people come from all over the world to immerse themselves in nature. But I think the attraction also has something to do with the unique Finnish mentality – I can’t really crack the code – but Kaurismäki, for example, is experienced internationally as a messenger of a unique and, frankly, profoundly exotic mentality and culture.”

Yaba notes that Finland also has some very interesting architecture for location shooting which differs from the rest of the Nordics. “It has its own flavor, as a sort of gateway to the rest of Eastern Europe.”

Without needing much encouragement, Yaba happily shares some of her more personal favorite places in Finland. “Koli, in Lapland, especially when “ruska” comes in the autumn, and the leaves turn brilliant. It’s so, so special – and so are the beaches of Hanko and the islands of the archipelago in the south.” She pauses a moment, as if trying to crystalize the totality of what makes Finland truly special for at least one international film professional. “Just visiting the traditional harbor market square on a weekend in Helsinki for a simple but perfect Finnish coffee and traditional karelian pie – I love that!”