BIO – Alternative

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DIRECTOR & WRITER

 

 

Sakari Lerkkanen is Finnish-born, London-based multi-award-winning writer and director, who is

internationally known for his narrative films and advertising campaigns. With a

diverse portfolio that spans multiple genres, his works are often recognised for capturing

a mix of authentic emotions, iconic design and high-end audiovisual storytelling.

 

Narrative films of Lerkkanen have won Queen Palms Springs International Film Festival

Gold, two Silvers, ÉCU – European Independent Film Festival Paris Gold, the Venice

Biennale Best International Young Artist of the Year award by Le5Vencie and has also

received recognition at prestigious BAFTA and Academy Award-qualifying festivals

such as Aesthetica, Raindance and Tampere Film Festivals, among others. With a

passion for storytelling, many of his award-winning films are self-penned or created

in collaboration with other talented writers.

 

In commercials, Lerkkanen has worked on global TVCs and collaborated with the likes

of Sony, Bacardi, Revlon, Hendrick’s Gin, Petr Cech, Flashscore, Virgin, Power and

Cecilia Braekhus. His works have won prestigious accolades, including Effie Grand Prix,

Effie Gold, Finnish Music Video Awards Grand Prix and 1.4. London Six Best Creative

Music Videos next to industry recognitions at ADC, Golden Drum, Zlato Pecka, Cannes

Lions YDA and EMEA Sabres awards, to name just a few. Lerkkanen’s films have been

handpicked and featured by prominent publications such as Vice, MTV, Directors Note,

Shots, David Reviews, Promonews, Cinehub, Helsingin Sanomat, YLE, and more.

 

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SELECTED AWARDS

 

EFFIE AWARDS, Grand Prix, Winner

EFFIE AWARDS, Public Safety Awarness, Gold, Winner

CANNES LIONS, Young Directors Awards, Shortlist

QUEEN PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Gold, Winner

QUEEN PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Silver, Winner, Best War Short Film

QUEEN PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Silver, Winner, Best VFX

ÉCU – EUROPEAN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL PARIS, Gold, Winner

AESTHETICA FILM FESTIVAL (Bafta Qualifying), 2x Best Film Nomination

FINNISH MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS, Grand Prix, Winner

IMVDB, Best of Internet Music Video Database, Staff Pick

ADC, Advertising Awards, Shortlist

EMEA SABRES, Advertising Awards, Shortlist

GOLDEN DRUM, Advertising Awards, Shortlist

TAMPERE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Academy Awards Qualifying), Best Film Nomination

RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL (Academy Awards Qualifying), Official Selection

ZLATA PECKA, Czech Advertising Awards, Shortlist

KURZFILM FILM FESTIVAL, Hamburg (Bafta Qualifying), Official Selection

VOITTO, Finnish Advertising Film Awards, Shortlist

VUODEN HUIPUT, Finnish Advertising Awards, Shortlist

ONE POINT FOUR London, Six of The Best Creative Music Videos for All These Years

BEHANCE, Best of Behance Motion, 2x Staff Pick

CANNES SHORT FILM CORNER, Official Selection

CINEMA SCANDINAVIA, Magazine, Artist Spotlight

VENICE BIENNALE, Best International Young Artist of the Year by Le5Venice, Winner

 

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SELECTED PRESS

 

 

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COLLABORATIONS

 

Sony, Bacardi, Hendrick’s Gin, Revlon, Virgin, Flashscore, Pink Ribbon, Elizabeth Arden,

Power, Petr Cech, Cecilia Braekhus, Petra Kvitova, Telia, Axe and Atria