Directing
Einari Paakkanen
FI, ES cinema · 16 credits
Born
16 January 1980 (age 46)
Birthplace
Jämsä, Finland
Einari Paakkanen is an award-winning filmmaker known for his warm, intimate, and human-centered storytelling. His films have been screened internationally at major festivals including CPH:DOX, Sheffield DocFest, and Visions du Réel. His film KARAOKE PARADISE was shortlisted for the Best Documentary at the European Film Awards and won the Jussi Award for Best Finnish Documentary. Einari holds an MA in Documentary Directing from ESCAC in Barcelona and has participated in programs such as IDFAcademy, Twelve for the Future, Ice & Fire, MFI’s Script2Film, and Berlinale Talents. In addition to directing, he has also worked as an editor, sound recordist, teacher, and festival programmer. He has served on the boards of the Finnish Documentary Guild and DocPoint ry. His latest co-directed short documentary, PUOLANKA PUSSY RALLY (2026) won the Special Prize and The European Short Film Audience Award the Tampere Film Festival.
Known for
Filmography
Puolanka Pussy Rally
Director, Editor
Karaoke Paradise
Director, Editor, Writer
Games People Play
Location Scout
My Father from Sirius
as Himself, Director, Writer, Screenplay
Missä on Thon?
2016
Where Is Thon?
Director, Animation, Writer, Editor
Dirty Bomb
Location Manager
Gimme Some Respect
Location Manager
Princess
Location Manager
Tyttöjen ilta
2008
Girls' Night
Assistant Editor
Black Ice
Assistant Editor