Finnish Film Foundation awards biggest grant to Halima
The Finnish Film Foundation has given 738 000 euro to Halima, a coming‑of‑age movie by Somali‑Finnish filmmaker Naima Mohamud. This is the largest share of the latest 2.2 million‑euro funding round. The award also confirms Mohamud as the first Black Finnish woman to direct a full‑length feature.
Halima is set in small‑town Finland during the late nineties. The film centers on a ten‑year‑old Somali girl who loves pop music, dance, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Through her eyes audiences will see themes of friendship, identity, and belonging. The script won the Best Pitch Award at the 2023 New Nordic Films event, drawing early praise for its fresh view of immigrant youth.
Mohamud’s rise from screenwriter to ground‑breaking director
Before stepping behind the camera, Mohamud spent years writing scripts and working with Nordic production teams. Her win at Haugesund pushed her into Europe’s film spotlight and attracted new partners. Now she leads It’s Alive Films on a project that challenges old norms and speaks directly to diasporic communities.
Halima tops the funding list, but two other projects gained support. Bloodsuckers, a Swedish‑Finnish co‑production, secured 150 000 euro. Flight From Kabul, a Slovak‑Finnish drama by Afghan director Sahraa Karimi, received 180 000 euro. Together these films highlight the region’s growing taste for diverse voices.
A milestone for Black creatives in Scandinavian cinema
Finland’s film scene has long lacked Black female directors. Mohamud’s record grant and feature debut signal a shift. She hopes her success will open doors for others and make stories like Halima a regular sight on Nordic screens.
