Finnish filmmakers prep 'Magic' slate
Trio of films go into production
Finnish animator Antti Haikala will make his helming debut with animated kidpic "Magic Crystal."
Movie, in which Santa's evil twin brother tries to gain control of kids' minds, is produced by Mikael Wahlforss for Epidem ZOT with Italian Cartoon One as co-producer.
Pic, budgeted at $6.8 million, will be ready for delivery in November 2009.
Hannu Salonen, previously most active as a TV helmer, will direct "Kid & Killer," a drama about the futility of violence.
Jarkko Hentula produces for Helsinki-based Juonifilm, with Estonia's Allfilm and Germany's Philipp Honberg Filmproduktion as co-producers. Lensing on the $1.8 million production starts this month for delivery in spring 2009.
Helmer Matti Gronberg "The Subtenant," starring Finnish comedy ensemble the Kummeli Group, is shooting now for delivery in September. The $1.9 million pic is produced by Markus Selin for Solar Films.
