Girl Picture takes home the audience award from Sundance!
Girl Picture, directed by Alli Haapasalo and written by Ilona Ahti and Daniela Hakulinen, was a great success during its world premiere at the esteemed US festival.
On Friday afternoon, Jan 28, it was announced as the winner of the Sundance Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The film was the first ever Finnish film to compete in that section.
Next stop for the film will be Berlinale where it is among the Generation 14plus section. The domestic theatrical premiere is on April 14, 2022.
Girl Picture received several positive reviews during its opening festival:
“Navigating the influx of adrenaline and oxytocin surging through these young women, all three actors are exquisite. Aamu Milonoff, in particular, executes an uninhibited but intricately expressive performance. With her bob cut framing her face, Milonoff allows adoration to shine through her eyes so feverishly. Corraling coming-of-age cliches into a pen and locking the gate, Haapasalo’s addition to the young adult canon is remarkably fresh, queer and a lovable account of adolescence.”
Emily Maskell, Little White Lies
“Set over three weekends, Alli Haapasalo’s jubilant Finnish coming-of-age film Girl Picture is unabashedly girly, horny, romantic, and fun. Written by Daniela Hakulinen and Ilona Ahti, its frank and honest approach of the highs and lows of teenage girldom while showcasing equally complex friendships and sexual escapades is reminiscent of Amy Heckerling’s Fast Times At Ridgemont High.”
Marya E. Gates, rogerebert.com
“These are character archetypes carved right out of your favorite teen drama — but director Alli Haapasalo takes care to set Girl Picture apart, pulling elements we’ve seen a million times before and weaving them into something wonderfully refreshing.”