Saara Cantell

Interests:

I could call myself an actor’s director. I love to work with actors and do my best to help them to achieve their fullest potential. It’s through the characters of the film that we get into the story, it’s via the performance of the actors the audience can feel the emotions. That’s why directing actors is, for me, the core task of the film director.

I’m interested in complex stories that deal with the absurdities we humans face living and interacting with each other. But even with the darker themes there needs to be some humor and hope.

During my career I have tried to explore as many genres as possible, from periodic dramas to psychological thrillers, romantic comedies and police series. I love the challenge to find the right audiovisual expression for each story.

Filmography:

2024 The Northern Star (Annelin aika), documentary.
2023 Siblings (Sisarukset), experimental feature.
2018 Jill, Joy and the Sleeping Clock (Onneli, Anneli ja nukutuskello) children’s feature.
2017 Jill, Joy and the Mysterious Stranger (Onneli, Anneli ja Salaperäinen muukalainen) children’s feature.
2016 Devil’s Bride (Tulen morsian), historical drama.
2015 Jill and Joy’s Winter (Onnelin ja Annelin talvi), children’s feature.
2014 Jill and Joy (Onneli ja Anneli), children’s feature, 75 min,
2013 The Two and Only (Ainoat oikeat), rom-com.
2012 Stars Above (Tähtitaivas talon yllä), drama.
2010 Heartbeats (Kohtaamisia), drama.
2006 Unna and Nuuk (Unna ja Nuuk), children’s feature.

Television:

2024 Thin Blue Line (Tunna blå linjen), season 3, director in episodes 3-4.
2023 Raspberry Hill (Hallonbacken), Childrend’s Horror Series, 3 x 30min.
2021 A Mother’s Son (Poikani Joel)
2020 Fast (Karkurit), Crime series in 10 episodes; director in episodes 4-10.
2004 Rajametsän tarinoita, children’s TV series in six episodes à 30 min
2003 Vasikantanssi, children’s’ TV series in 12 episodes à 15 min.

Achievements:

2017 Best Foreign Feature, Female Eye Film Festival, Toronto, Canada (Devil’s Bride)
2017 Best Children’s’ Feature, Childrens’ Film Festival, Seattle, USA (Jill and Joy’s Winter)
2016 Audience Award, Schlingel International Film Festival, Germany (Jill and Joy’s Winter)
2016 Junior Audience Award Kinodiseea, Bukares (Jill and Joy’s Winter)
2016 State Quality Prize (Jill and Joy’s Winter)
2015 Best Children Actresses, Pyrgos International Film Festival for Children (Jill and Joy)
2015 State Quality Prize (Jill and Joy)
2014 Best Feature chosen by the children’s jury, Chicago International Children’s’ Film
Festival (Jill and Joy)
2013 Anjalankoski Film Prize (Stars Above)
2012 State Quality Prize (Stars Above)
2011 “Jussi” nomination for the best director (Heartbeats)
2010 State Prize in FIlm (together with DOP Marita Hällfors)
2010 State Quality Prize (Heartbeats)
2010 Director of the Year (selected by the Finnish Film Directors Guild)
2010 Special Jury Prize, Silver Dolphin, Festroia Film Festival, Portugal (Heartbeats)
2009 Baltic Film Prize, Nordic Film Days, Lübeck, Saksa (Heartbeats)
2006 State Quality Prize (Unna and Nuuk)
2006 2. Prize in Kidz-serie, Giffoni International Film Festival, Italia (Unna and Nuuk)
2003 Kettu Prize for the best short film (Portrait)
2003 State Quality Prize (Portrait)
2003 Second prize Rauman Blue Sea Film Festival (Portrait)
2003 Honorable mention, Nordic series, Oulu Universtiy (The Diagnosis:)
1998 Honorable mention, Tampere Short Film Festival, National Competition (A Clear Winter’s Day)
1998 First Prize Rauma Blue Sea Film Festival (A Clear Winter’s Day)
1996 TaiK grant for an excellent graduation work
1995 Jury’s Special Prize, Tampere Short Film Festival (A Tale of Shatters)
1995 Best Nordic Short Film, Uppsala Short Film Festival (A Tale of Shatters)
1995 Kettu Prize for the best Finnish short film (A Tale of Shatters)