AWARDS

TV: KEISARI AARNIO (KING LIAR, 2018) won the prize for best drama series at the Finnish television awards, his fourth in 17 years. In addition to the domestic prizes, JP’s TV work has also received international awards, including Prix Italia for JUULIAN TOTUUDET (JULIA’S TRUTHS). TELLUS, also written and directed by JP, a limited series about young eco-activists turning into eco-terrorists, was showcased in SeriesMania.

Film: JP’s first short film ELOSSA (ALIVE, 1990) won the Grand Prix at the film school Oscars, Cilect Festival in Karlovy Vary.

JP’s sixth feature film VELJENI VARTIJA (BROTHER’S KEEPER, 2018), won the Audience’s Choice Award 2019 at Jussi Gala, the Finnish Oscars.  It tells the true story of twins, one who fights on the streets and the other, a rap-artist, who becomes the biggest artist in Finland of all time.  

His fourth feature film, HÄRMÄ (Once Upon a Time in the North, 2012), a western with knives set in the plains of Finland in the 1800s, was released in 2012. JP’s sport biography SEL8NNE (2013) of Teemu Selänne, the greatest ice hockey player in Finland, broke the box office records for documentaries in Finland on its release.

His first feature film YOUNG GODS (2003), about teenagers secretly videotaping their sex lives, caused uproar in Finland. The film won the Fipresci Award at the Göteborg International Film Festival 2004 and was sold to 28 countries. The rockmovie GANES (2007) was a box-office hit in Finland, and JP was nominated for a Jussi Award for Best Direction. 

Commercials: JP’s work for commercial films have been awarded the major Finnish prizes multiple times. He has also won The Bronze Lion at Cannes Lions Festival.