05/12/2003

Erkki Astala has just left the Finnish Film Foundation (FFF) where he was head of production since 1996, to join the Finnish public broadcaster YLE. Astala will replace Eila Werning as Head of co-productions for YLE's channels.

A former film journalist, Astala worked for the Tampere and Sodankylä Film Festivals, before joining Aki Kaurismäki's production company, Villealfa Filmproductions. He then joined the FFF as Head of production, working under the aegis of managing director, Jouni Mykkänen.