Squirrel by Markus Lehmusruusu Selected as the Finnish Oscar Candidate

Squirrel, directed and written by Markus Lehmusruusu, has been selected as Finland’s candidate for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

Squirrel is an absurd, future-set story about Pasi, a lonely but kind-hearted designer of artificial animals living in a world where nature is only a memory and human wellbeing is carefully orchestrated.

The film stars Miro Lopperi and Mimosa Willamo. Other cast members include Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Pirjo Heikkilä, Roderick Kabanga, Pirjo Lonka and Eero Ritala.

The film had its Finnish premiere on 2 April 2026 and was released in cinemas by B-Plan Distribution.

According to Finland’s Oscar selection committee, Squirrel is a bold and socially resonant film, creating its distinctive world with exceptional precision. Its humour is unmistakably Finnish, even as the film as a whole pays respect to the legacy of science fiction cinema.

The film is produced by Misha Jaari and Mark Lwoff for Bufo. It was co-produced by Pallas Film from Germany, Volya Films from the Netherlands and Zentropa Sweden.

The film’s crew includes cinematographer Max Smeds, composer Freya Arde and sound designer Ranko Paukovic.

Finland’s Oscar candidate is selected by a committee of film professionals organised by The Finnish Chamber of Films. The members of the committee included Mikko Aaltio, casting director Emma Ahola, actor (MFA) Melike Basaranoglu, Head of the Finnish Film Foundation’s International Department Jenni Domingo, cinematographer (F.S.C.) Pini Hellstedt, film producer Nina Laurio and screenwriter Kaisa Pylkkänen.

The committee was chaired by writer and film critic Kalle Kinnunen, with Susanna Shepherd from The Finnish Chamber of Films serving as secretary.

The official selection criteria for the Academy Awards are set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which annually invites film-producing countries to submit one candidate for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. This year, the category considers films whose qualifying theatrical release takes place between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.

The Oscar nominations will be announced on 21 January 2027. The Academy Awards will be presented on 14 March 2027 at the 99th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Information about the Academy Awards: www.oscars.org
Rules for the Academy Award categories: www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility

For More Information:

Kalle Kinnunen
kpkinnunen[at]gmail.com