Hanna Västinsalo

Hanna Västinsalo studied directing at the American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles (CA, USA) with a Sloan Foundation Scholarship after receiving a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at the University of Helsinki (Finland). She has directed a virtual reality animation about homelessness, MAN UNDER BRIDGE, which had its international premiere at the 77th Venice International Film Festival. Her debut feature about experimental de-aging gene therapy, PALIMPSEST, won funding from the Biennale College Cinema program and premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, and received a Hollywood Foreign Press Association special prize with a residency program with Film Independent. Hanna is also a Berlinale Talents alumna. Hanna has spoken about the relationship between science and film at the TEDxHelsinkiUniversity event and is part of Neuwrite Nordic, which works to combine science and creative writing. Subsequently, Hanna has given a keynote lecture expanding her TEDx Talk. Her second feature script, METAMORPHOSIS, was selected for the TIFF Writers’ Lab, and Hanna was invited to join the CHANEL Women Creators’ Network.