Stuba Nikula appointed as the new CEO of the Finnish Film Foundation

The Board of the Finnish Film Foundation has appointed Stuba Nikula as the Foundation’s new CEO starting from 1 August 2026, following the conclusion of the current CEO Lasse Saarinen’s term. A CEO’s term at the Film Foundation is up to five years at a time and they may be appointed for one additional term. Saarinen has served as the Foundation’s CEO since 2016.

Photo: Saara Autere

Stuba Nikula will join the Finnish Film Foundation from his current role as Head of Helsinki Events Foundation, where he has worked since 2018. Before that, Nikula has served, among other roles, as the Cultural Director of the City of Helsinki and as the Director of the Cable Factory and Suvilahti cultural centres. Nikula also has extensive experience serving on the board of various cultural sector organisations, including The Live Music Foundation ELMU, the University of the Arts Helsinki, and Finlandia Hall.

“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,” says Veronica Lindholm, Chair of the Foundation’s Board.

“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,” says Stuba Nikula.

The Finnish Film Foundation, established in 1969, is an independent foundation operating under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Culture’s cultural policy division. The Foundation supports and promotes the Finnish film industry by granting funding for the professional production of films as well as for their exhibition and distribution across various channels. The Foundation is also responsible for the cultural export and international promotion of Finnish films, as well as for statistics and information services related to the domestic film industry.

Further information:

Veronica Lindholm
Chair of the Board
tel. +358 40 676 3443
veronicavlindholm@gmail.com