Helsinki Film Lab launches with a Focus on Upskilling Courses for the Film, TV and Gaming Industries
Helsinki, Finland – 7.4.2025 – A new global hub for innovation in film, gaming, and transmedia storytelling has arrived. Helsinki Film Lab (HFL) officially launches with a mission to empower creative professionals, bridge creative industries, and shape the future of storytelling through cutting-edge education and strategic industry events.
From day one, Helsinki Film Lab establishes itself as an international platform, offering courses, masterclasses, and networking opportunities that cater to film, TV, gaming and literary industry professionals looking to explore IP adaptation and cross-industry collaboration. Courses are held online and onsite in Helsinki and different international locations.
“Helsinki Film Lab was founded to push the boundaries of storytelling and help creative professionals navigate the evolving landscape of IP adaptation,” said Alisha Hasan, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of Helsinki Film Lab. “By fostering knowledge exchange and innovation between different creative industries, we aim to increase competitiveness, financial sustainability and unlock new opportunities for growth.”
“Accessibility and diversity were key elements during the planning of HFL. Even though each course is curated and geared towards a very specific target audience, anyone working in the creative industries may apply. We believe this is what enhances the cross-industry experience and takes us all further.”
Fuel Your Creativity: 2025 Film, TV & Gaming Masterclasses
As part of its mission to equip creative professionals with future-facing skills, Helsinki Film Lab is launching a dynamic lineup of courses in 2025, led by industry experts. Participants will have the opportunity to explore transmedia storytelling and game design with acclaimed writer and designer Kurt McClung, who will lead Creating a Transmedia Strategy for Film Professionals and Narrative Game Design for Screenwriters. Mathias Nochis from Alphapanda, a leader in film marketing, will teach Designing a Film Marketing Campaign with Impact, offering essential insights into audience engagement. AI visionary Umberto Onza will lead two cutting-edge courses, AI in Preproduction: Storyboarding from Scripts and Generative AI for Creative Concepting, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can enhance the creative workflow. Additionally, Rupture Studios Malta will deliver Motion Capture for Actors, Directors and Screenwriters, bridging performance and digital technology, while EXPA Game Business Cooperative, will introduce professionals to real-time postproduction workflows in Postproduction Tools with Unreal Engine. Together, these courses reflect Helsinki Film Lab’s commitment to innovation, equipping professionals with the tools to thrive in an evolving industry.
Annual Event: Helsinki Transmedia Market (HTM)
HFL’s launch coincides with the announcement of its flagship annual event, Helsinki Transmedia Market (HTM), produced in collaboration with ODDFest. The 2025 edition of HTM will kick off with a masterclass by Kurt McClung, followed by a high-impact networking event connecting film, gaming, and literary professionals.
“This partnership is a natural fit,” said Ronny Eriksson, Founder of ODDFest. “Helsinki Transmedia Market adds an exciting new dimension to ODDFest, fostering long-term collaboration with a shared vision for innovation and creativity.”
A Vision for the Future of Creative Industries
Helsinki Film Lab is cooperating with leading partners, including City of Helsinki, Digital Creative Industries and Beyond, EAVE, EARS Europe-Asia Roundtable Sessions, ODDFest, AVATE Audiovisual Authors and Performers Finland, Writers Guild Finland, EXPA Game Business Cooperative and Rupture Studios Malta. Together, they aim to drive forward-thinking initiatives that respond to the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Helsinki Film Lab is now open for registrations. Creative professionals looking to expand their expertise, build industry connections, and stay ahead of the curve are encouraged to join.
For more information and to enroll, visit www.helsinkifilmlab.fi
About Helsinki Film Lab
Helsinki Film Lab is an innovation-driven training and development hub for film, TV, and gaming professionals, designed to bridge industries and equip creatives with future-ready skills. Through expert-led courses, masterclasses, and industry events, HFL empowers professionals to explore new storytelling formats, transmedia strategies, IP adaptation, and cutting-edge technologies such as AI, motion capture, and real-time production.
With a global outlook and strong industry partnerships, Helsinki Film Lab fosters collaboration between traditional and emerging media sectors, helping creatives and businesses stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Its annual Helsinki Transmedia Market, produced in collaboration with ODDFest, serves as a key networking and knowledge-sharing platform for professionals at the intersection of film, gaming, and interactive storytelling.
For more information, visit www.helsinkifilmlab.fi.
About Helsinki Transmedia Market
Helsinki Transmedia Market (HTM) is a premier industry event dedicated to the future of storytelling, bringing together professionals from film, TV, gaming, publishing, and interactive media to explore new opportunities in transmedia, IP adaptation, and cross-industry collaboration.
In 2025, HTM will have its soft launch, featuring a masterclass by Kurt McClung, Creating a Transmedia Strategy for Film Producers, and a cross-industry networking event. This will mark the beginning of a new era of connection, collaboration, and knowledge sharing at the intersection of multiple creative industries.
Produced in collaboration with ODDFest, HTM has a strong focus on innovation and the evolving entertainment landscape. HTM aims to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to navigate the changing world of content creation and audience engagement.
About ODDFest
ODDfest is a next-generation creative conference with the mission to fuel cultural acceleration, bridge business, art, and society, and celebrate the odd and out-there. Premiering this summer in Helsinki, Finland, ODDfest brings together creators, innovators, and cultural trailblazers for a vibrant mix of talks, performances, and experiences to spark progress, foster collaboration, and close the gap between industries.
For more information, visit www.oddfest.co.
About Digital Creative Industries and Beyond
The Digital Creative Industries and Beyond (DCIB) project aims to strengthen and advance expertise, sustainability, and ecosystems within the digital creative industries. It serves as a platform for fostering collaboration and co-development across the digital and creative sectors.
DCIB provides concrete support and guidance for startups and companies in the digital creative industries—including AV, audio, XR, and gaming—that are seeking to enhance their business operations and expand their production, both locally and internationally.
By promoting the development, implementation, and adoption of innovative solutions and business practices, DCIB supports sustainable growth, resilience, and expertise within the creative industries.
The project is implemented by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, the City of Helsinki, and Aalto University, and is co-funded by the European Union.
For more information about our RDI collaboration, visit AI-Driven Processes Integrated into Film Production: Making Movies Joins CREATIVITY X TECH X CITY event - HEVi – Helsinki+Espoo+Vantaa Innovations
About Writers Guild of Finland
Active since 1921, the guild comprises over 700 members who work as professional script writers for stage, film, television, radio and new media. Approximately half of the members are screenwriters and the other half playwrights.
Writers Guild of Finland promotes and protects the professional, copyright and financial interests of its individual members. In addition to negotiating and issuing contracts, we develop codes of practice in co-operation with theatres, television channels and producers. We also work closely with various artistic and cultural, copyright and public affairs organisations in order to further the aims of professional writers.
Over the years, and alongside the evolution of new forms of media, the main purpose of the Writers Guild of Finland has remained largely unchanged: our goal is to serve the needs of Finnish writers and to promote Finnish drama.
