Based in Helsinki, Henna Välkky is a director and screenwriter drawn to stories that explore the strange and unexplainable sides of life. Their films often begin with personal experiences and memories, opening into dreamlike narratives that touch on taboos, the subconscious, and phenomena that resist easy explanation. With a background in cinematography and editing, they approach these subjects through an experimental and cinematic lens, extending them into fiction through surreal imagery.

Over the past decade, their work has ranged from short films and music videos to commercials for international clients, with screenings at more than 50 festivals worldwide, including Tribeca, Cinequest, Nordisk Panorama, and Tampere.

They are currently developing their first feature, Cult of Two, a surrealistic road movie about a toxic friendship, alongside Deal With the Rabbit, a dark story of generational trauma, and an animated documentary exploring paranormal encounters. Across these projects, they return to the same search: to understand life through its contradictions — the dark and the hopeful, the painful and the absurd.

With 20 years of experience in filmmaking, Samuel Häkkinen  has built a diverse body of work primarily through their production company, Silent Paprika Films. They have directed several short films that have screened at international festivals, alongside extensive work in commercials and music videos.

Their background is rooted in working across a wide range of projects as a writer, director, and producer, giving them a broad understanding of the filmmaking process from development through production. They are now shifting their focus more specifically toward writing and directing fiction.

They are currently developing their debut feature film, Cult of Two, as a writer-director, in collaboration with their creative partner Henna Välkky and producer Mika Ritalahti of Silva Mysterium.