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Interview with
Jukka-Pekka Laakso, the Director of Tampere Film Festival
An Opportunity for New Ideas
One of jury members of International Competition of Tehran Film
Festival, Jukka-Pekka Laakso is director and president of the board
of directors of Tampere short Film Festival since 2002. He was
working for the festival already in early 80s at the executive
section of the festival, but he has been involved with selection and
programming since 2001. Laakso acts also as the executive director
for Pirkanmaa Film Centre, which is a local film centre in Tampere.
This film centre is a non-profit organization that runs an art-house
cinema and works with media education. He has also worked as a
freelance film critic for radio and magazines. In 2004, Laakso was
appointed as the chairman of National Council for Cinema and this
position brings him also a seat at National Council for the Arts. In
addition, he is the member of European Film Academy. The 36th
Tampere International Short Film Festival, which is one of the
oldest, and biggest short film festivals in northern Europe will
hold on March 8-12 2006 in Finland. Last year festival draw more
than 30000 audience and about 100 films screened. Laakso has not
made a short film yet, but he believes it should be opportunity for
those short filmmakers who have new and creative ideas.
Do you think a festival director could be a filmmaker too?
Yes, but when you are director of a festival, you have many
responsibilities which might affect your career as a filmmaker.
Tampere Film Festival is one of the most important and well-known
festivals of the world. Why this festival is so famous?
Well, because it has been running since 36 years ago. In addition,
we are so care about quality of short films. We believe it should
have something to tell. Form and technical aspects are not enough.
Situation of this city is another reason. Tampere is a city with
some kind of centrality. It is a cross-point between developing and
developed countries.
Do you have any financial supporters, who are your sponsors?
Offices of mayor and music halls, as well as theatres support us.
What about religious foundations like churches?
The church has not much to do with festival, because we have no
religious intentions. Religious foundations usually do not involve
in cultural works, unless it would be corresponded with its goals.
The festival has financed by office of mayor, Ministry of Culture,
private companies, as well as by advertising and festival’s fund. We
have a few salaried employees, but most personnel work voluntarily.
The point is, many short film festivals serve not only as a place to
screen short films, but also as a place for fans, filmmakers, and
producers to gather. Tampere is a very little town, so we try to
make sure our guests have a good time.
You told private companies finance this festival partly. Could these
companies affect festival policies?
No, they could not.
So, why they do this?
Well, we give these private companies the chance to invite their
customers to participate in festival. This is a bilateral relation.
If these companies recommend a film to you, what would you do?
We cannot do this, because we are not a film production company. We
are just festival organizers.
How many guests and visitors would come to Tampere to participate in
festival?
We have more than 150 foreign guests, and about 500 who are
professional in this area. In addition, 15000 tickets will have been
sold. Totally, it is expected about 7000 to 8000 guests to
participate in festival.
Do you have any financial problems?
It depends on economical situation of country, and if festival could
draws audience attention. Sometimes programming is wrong. Anyway,
organizing a festival has its own difficulties.
How many short films do produce in Finland every year?
It is about 100 films, which students make most of them.
Do the film students enroll in university or in filmmaking school
centers?
We have a film school and a few colleges. The film school approach
to cinema is a little artistic, while the colleges have a more
technical and specialized view.
When the students graduate, is there any financial supporter to
provide them?
They should find a producer, which is very difficult.
What do you think about Tehran International short Film Festival?
It is an interesting and important festival.
How many films do submit to Tampere Film Festival?
It is about 2000 films. It is a hard and frustrating work, but when
the festival begins, everything becomes lovely and interesting.
What do you reply to the directors whose films have not been
selected.
If filmmakers just want to make the film for festivals, it would be
useless. They should do this with all their powers.
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