Finnish indies merge to form Whatever Pictures

Finnish scripted indies Whatevergroup and Mutant Koala Pictures have merged to create Whatever Pictures.

Whatevergroup’s chief executive Antti Kaarlela will hold the same position at the newly created outfit, while Jukka Vidgren and Antti Kairakari serve as creative producers.

Whatevergroup’s Aleksi Puranen will remain as head of development, with Pia Ervasti as chief financial officer and line producer and Petteri Staven as VFX supervisor.

Whatever Pictures spans thrillers, mysteries, dramas, comedies and premium documentaries and its slate includes Torna a Surriento, a co-pro with Glassriver in Iceland, Rein Film in Norway and Viola Films in Italy for Finland’s YLE, Icelandic streamer Siminn and Italy’s RAI.

Kaarlela said: “Our job up here is equal parts grit and ambition. Crossing a swamp on Tuesday and a red carpet on Friday are part of the same week. We know the North, we know our craft, and we believe the extremes we live with every day – light, dark, isolation, humour – are the perfect foundation for stories that resonate everywhere.”

Vidgren added: “Creating stories people want to watch is what we have done separately for a long time – in Finland, across Scandinavia, and around the globe – and now, collectively.”