TICKETS:

• Both days on site 75 €
• One day on site 45 €
• Recordings of both days 40 €

The recordings will be available for viewing between 11 and 24 March 2026.

▶ Script Tampere 2026: Registration for on-site participation

▶ Script Tampere 2026: Order access to the recordings
You can order access to recordings online until Monday 23 March at 15:00.

In 2026, the traditional scriptwriting seminar Script Tampere will focus on the well-being of writers and nurture unique and diverse scriptwriting in the midst of the crisis in the film and TV industry.

The interviews, lectures and panels delve into the scriptwriter’s artistic freedom, class representation in Finnish TV series and films, giving and receiving feedback, and outlining better opportunities for scriptwriters to receive compensation for their work.

Among the guests are top writers in the field: e.g. Swedish scriptwriter Alex Haridi, Finnish-Swedish scriptwriter Kirsi Vikman, scriptwriter and director of Finland's Oscar-nominated® film Teemu Nikki, scriptwriters Jan Forsström, Reeta Ruotsalainen and Petja Peltomaa, writer-director Selma Vilhunen and Cannes award-winning producer Jussi Rantamäki.

The event will be held for the twelfth time and the two-day program is aimed at scriptwriters, professionals and students.

The event is organised by the Writers Guild of Finland (Sunklo) and Tampere Film Festival.

PROGRAMME

THURSDAY 5.3.

DOORS OPEN 9:15

OPENING OF THE SEMINAR

Thu 5.3. | 10:00–10:15 | In Finnish

The seminar will be opened by Outi Mäkinen, Executive Director of Writers Guild of Finland, and the coordinators of the event, scriptwriter Eva-Maria Koskinen (e.g. Naapurin Poika, Spiral) and writer-director Alisa Nirman (e.g. On the Bus In Munich, DILLIGAF). The themes of the seminar, its partners and the programme structure will be explained.

ALEX HARIDI & OUTLOOK ACROSS BORDERS – WHAT IS A HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL SCRIPTWRITER MADE OF?

Thu 5.3. | 10:15–11:45 | In Finnish

The chairman of the Swedish Dramatikerförbund, Alex Haridi, is known for his scripts for Netflix and SVT (e.g. Quicksand, Kärlek och anarki, Blå ögon, Stenbeck). In this session, which combines author interviews and discussion, Sunklo's chairperson Katri Myllyniemi interviews Alex Harid about how his own scriptwriting skills have developed in the changes and transformations of the industry. The more conversational final part of the session opens up views on the differences and similarities between Finland and Sweden in terms of the scriptwriter's appreciation, livelihood, contracts, copyrights and collective bargaining. What is a healthy and successful scriptwriter made of? What is the Finnish and Swedish dream of structures in the audiovisual industry that support the well-being, livelihood, internationality and success of scriptwriters?

BREAK 11:45–12:00

CO-CREATED, FAIRLY SHARED

Thu 5.3. | 12:00–13:00 | In Finnish

The part delves into the practical realities of a scriptwriter’s work: copyrights, contracts and livelihoods. How does collective management of copyrights improve the scriptwriter’s livelihood and position? What is needed for the livelihoods of workers to develop in a more sustainable and predictable direction? Since audiovisual works are created in collaboration, it is justified that the achieved success is shared fairly between all parties.

PANELISTS:

• Matti Numminen, Executive Director of Avate
• Oskari Sipola, Chairman of Avate, director-scriptwriter (e.g. Anna minun rakastaa enemmän, Häräntappoase)
• Petja Peltomaa, Vice Chair of Avate, scriptwriter (e.g. Syke, Elämäni biisi)

LUNCH AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE 13:00–14:00

WHOSE FLAG ARE YOU CARRYING? – CLASS REPRESENTATION IN TV AND FILM SCRIPTWRITING

Thu 5.3. | 14:00–15:00 | In Finnish

Are Finnish films and series becoming more and more middle-class, and what does that say about our society in a time when coping is being pushed into an increasingly tight spot? How are characters from different backgrounds seen in Finnish TV and film narratives? What even is the middle class today, do class representations matter, and how can a scriptwriter influence this? Antti Yrjönen wrote in the Journalisti magazine 10/25 that "the work of a journalist is becoming a hobby for those with a good income". Will the same happen to the scriptwriter’s profession soon, and what stories will be told? 

PANELISTS:

• Riie Heikkilä, sociologist and researcher, author of the book Miksi lakkasimme lukemasta
• Reeta Ruotsalainen, scriptwriter (e.g. Dance Brothers, Uhma)
• Kaisa Pylkkänen, scriptwriter and stand-up comedian (e.g. Pientä laittoa, Matkaoppaat)
  MODERATOR:
• Writer-director Alisa Nirman

BREAK 15:00–15:15

THE POWER OF STORIES IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS – WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SCRIPTWRITER?

Thu 5.3. | 15:15–16:15 | In Finnish

Climate issues raise concerns, but the scriptwriters have tools in their hands for change. Stories shape attitudes and how we see the world, and what kind of future we believe is possible. Come and hear and reflect on how we can move from dystopias to hope and turn a more sustainable lifestyle into an engaging drama. At the event, we will hear a speech by Member of Parliament and climate expert Oras Tynkkynen, after which the discussion will be moderated by scriptwriter Petja Peltomaa.

FRIDAY 6.3.

DOORS OPEN 9:15

"THIS WOULD NEVER FLY IN FINLAND" – ABANDONED IDEAS AND ARTISTIC FREEDOM IN THE FILM AND TV INDUSTRY

Fri 6.3. | 10:00–11:30 | In Finnish

Do screenwriters censor themselves before anyone else can? This is what filmmaker Anna Paavilainen claimed in an interview with Long Play, and many recognized the remark "This would never fly in Finland". What kind of films and series do we think will "fly" and do we limit our own work according to the imagined preferences of the financiers and the audience? What is the state of artistic freedom in the Finnish film and TV industry and in the minds of scriptwriters? How can the freedom and uniqueness of the creator be nurtured and promoted?

PANELISTS:

• Selma Vilhunen, director and scriptwriter (Neljä pientä aikuista, Paras vuosi ikinä, Hölmö nuori sydän). He is currently working on a report with Juha Lehtola on the development processes of manuscripts according to international models.
• Jan Forsström, scriptwriter, director, writer, dramaturg (Marian paratiisi, Miami, Silmäterä). Writes a book of essays on the problems of the most common narrative models.
• Anna Paavilainen, director-scriptwriter and actress (Kikka, Kaksi ruumista rannalla, Play Rape). Known for his bold works.
• Jussi Rantamäki, owner and producer of the film company Aamu (Naapurin poika, Mummola, Hytti nro 6) and Professor of Production at Aalto University. Has produced films that break norms in various ways and have been successful in Finland and around the world.
  MODERATOR: 
• Scriptwriter Eva-Maria Koskinen

BREAK 11:30–11:45

THE SUPERPOWERS OF GIVING AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK

Fri 6.3. | 11:45–13:00 | In Finnish

What kind of feedback best supports the writing of the script? Receiving feedback is an essential part of a scriptwriter’s job, but why is it sometimes so difficult to receive feedback? Why do defenses kick in? Do I understand the feelings and needs related to the situation where feedback is given? Can I define what kind of feedback I want and need?

This is a lecture by Tarja Kylmä and Katri Myllyniemi, who are both scriptwriters who act as dramaturgs. The lecture opens up new perspectives and provides tools for understanding the dynamics of giving and receiving feedback, delves into the pain points of the feedback process and compiles the best practices of good feedback. Good news: you can develop your superpowers of giving and receiving feedback!

LUNCH AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE 13:00–14:00

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: TEEMU NIKKI

Fri 6.3. | 14:00–15:00 | In Finnish

How to stay true to your own voice? Writer and director Teemu Nikki's first feature film was supposed to be the splatter flick Play God, but it was never completed. Later, Nikki has had success. Sokea mies, joka ei halunnut nähdä Titanicia (2021), which won an award at the Venice Film Festival, told the story of a man with multiple sclerosis who travelled to another city to visit his beloved. 100 litraa sahtia (2024), on the other hand, depicted sisters brewing sahti, and received twice as many viewers as all of the self-taught Nikki's previous productions combined. The film also ended up as Finland's Oscar® nominee. Teemu Nikki is interviewed by dramaturg Are Nikkinen from Svenska Yle Drama.

"I'M NOT A HURDLER, I'M A SCRIPTWRITER" – STRATEGIES FROM EXPERIENCED SCREENWRITERS IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Fri 6.3. | 15:00–16:00 | In Finnish

How do experienced scriptwriters face the crisis in the film and TV industry? Scriptwriter and therapist Kirsi Vikman has studied the coping strategies of Finnish and Swedish scriptwriters and what makes the work meaningful.

Vikman is a Finnish scriptwriter based in Sweden, known for Hetki ennen valoa (2026), My Sailor My Love (2022), Bullets (2018) and Äideistä parhain (2005). Vikman presents his report and talks about the coping of the scriptwriters. Vikman is interviewed by Eva-Maria Koskinen.

CLOSING AND SUMMARY

Fri 6.3. | 16:00–16:20 | In Finnish

The coordinators of the event, Alisa Nirman and Eva-Maria Koskinen, will bring together the contents and discussions of the seminar.