The Finnish Film Foundation has announced the appointment of Stuba Nikula as its new Chief Executive Officer, with his term set to begin on 1 August 2026. Nikula will succeed current CEO Lasse Saarinen, who has led the Foundation since 2016 and will conclude his second term this summer. The decision was made by the Foundation’s Board, which highlighted Nikula’s extensive leadership experience and deep roots in Finland’s cultural sector. The CEO position at the Finnish Film Foundation is appointed for a maximum of five years at a time, with the possibility of one additional term.
A Career at the Heart of Finnish Cultural Life
Nikula joins the Foundation from his current role as Head of the Helsinki Events Foundation, a position he has held since 2018. Prior to that, he served as Cultural Director of the City of Helsinki and as Director of the Cable Factory and Suvilahti cultural centres, two of the most important hubs for contemporary culture and creative industries in the Finnish capital. In addition to his executive roles, Nikula has built a strong profile as a board member across key cultural institutions, including:
• The Live Music Foundation ELMU
• University of the Arts Helsinki
• Finlandia Hall
This combination of operational leadership and strategic governance experience has made him a prominent figure in shaping Finland’s cultural policy and infrastructure over the past three decades.
Board’s Confidence in Forward-Looking Leadership
Veronica Lindholm, Chair of the Foundation’s Board, emphasized Nikula’s ability to unite the film sector around a shared vision:
“Stuba Nikula brings to the Finnish Film Foundation nearly 30 years of experience in organizational leadership as well as strong expertise in cultural policy advocacy. He combines an external perspective with a deep understanding of the cultural sector in a way that supports independent, progressive, and forward-looking leadership. We believe him to be capable of building trust and bringing together the perspectives of the film industry into a unified and impactful message.”
“Cinema Is the Most Vibrant Form of Finnish Culture”
Nikula himself underlined both the cultural and economic significance of the film industry in Finland:
“It is wonderful to become part of the expert community at the Finnish Film Foundation. Cinema is the most vibrant form of Finnish culture, reaching children, young people, and adults throughout the country. The combination of artistic creation and commercial thinking makes the film industry an especially meaningful and interesting field for me.”
His comments reflect a growing emphasis within Nordic cultural policy on balancing artistic excellence with sustainable business models—an increasingly crucial issue for national film industries competing in a global streaming and co-production landscape.
The Role of the Finnish Film Foundation
Founded in 1969, the Finnish Film Foundation is an independent foundation operating under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Culture’s cultural policy division. It plays a central role in:
• Funding professional film production in Finland
• Supporting exhibition and distribution across multiple platforms
• Promoting Finnish films internationally
• Managing industry statistics and information services
Under new leadership, the Foundation is expected to continue strengthening Finland’s international profile in cinema—building on the country’s strong reputation for high-quality arthouse films, innovative storytelling, and successful international co-productions. With Stuba Nikula at the helm from August 2026, the Finnish film sector is set to enter a new phase focused on strategic leadership, cultural impact, and global visibility.
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