13.07.2026

Meet the people behind TAFF 2026!

The Turku Animated Film Festival is organized annually through the collaboration of talented industry professionals, artists, and animation enthusiasts. They plan, build, organize, promote, and ensure that the festival comes to life – now for the eleventh time. Here is this year’s festival team!

Annika Dahlsten, Festival Director

This is my fourth year as the festival director of TAFF. My work involves planning the festival, securing funding, and brainstorming content ideas in collaboration with the board of Turun elokuvatapahtumat ry, the organization behind the festival. I also serve as the lead of the production team and as the point of contact for our partners. I have been closely involved in developing this year’s theme, “Animated to Life” and in planning the TAFF Pro program. At the same time, I am already looking ahead to next year.

I have experience in arts production and projects from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, and the Kone Foundation. I graduated from the Turku Arts Academy as an animation director and visual artist, and my works have been shown both in Finland and abroad, at exhibitions and festivals. TAFF is a festival close to my heart, and I’ve been involved with it from the very beginning. I think it’s wonderful to be part of TAFF as part of the international animation scene!

Joni Männistö, Artistic Director

I am a founding member of TAFF and have served as its artistic director from the very beginning. Turku has long had a thriving community of independent animators, and I come from exactly the same background. These factors have strongly shaped TAFF’s identity: to be a platform for art animation and a source of inspiration for everyone hungry for animation. I’m primarily responsible for the festival’s film lineup, though of course I don’t do it alone. The program is carefully curated to meet a wide range of needs. We strive to strike a good balance for those craving nostalgia, those eager for something new, and those who want to delve into challenging topics – or simply enjoy themselves. International relations are also an area where, through TAFF, I have the privilege of building connections and bringing the world’s latest trends to Finland for audiences to enjoy.

Veronika Sekne, Programmer

I have been working as a programmer for TAFF since 2019. I got introduced to independent animation at festivals which eventually led me to pursue a master’s degree in stop-motion animation. My nomadic lifestyle has made me somewhat less successful at attending the festival itself, though. This year’s selections were made among the llamas and condors of South America.

Anton Perttu, Executive Producer

I’ve been a producer at TAFF for four years now, and I’ve come to realize that every festival feels familiar and rooted in tradition in its own way, while always revealing something new, surprising, and delightful. Every year has brought me new encounters, unforgettable experiences, and animation gems I could never have discovered anywhere else. TAFF is a truly unique festival, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of creating it.

Elias Jurvanen, Publicist

This is my second year as TAFF’s Publicist. I look after the festival’s day-to-day communications and marketing: creating written and visual content for our website and social media, writing press releases and film descriptions, and occasionally spending an unreasonable amount of time tweaking wording and font sizes.

My background is in media studies, but curiosity has led me through the cultural sector, film festivals, and a variety of artistic detours. It didn’t take long for TAFF to become a festival close to my heart, and along the way I’ve fallen for the wonderfully quirky world of art animation. See you in August!

 Ylva-Lii Wahlström, Volunteer Coordinator

Hi! As the volunteer coordinator of the festival, I take care of guiding and supporting our plentiful volunteers both before and during the festival week. Outside of TAFF my life consists of studying animation in Aalto University and working on all sorts of graphic and audiovisual projects. My favourite short films feature offbeat humour, far-out concepts, and intimate details.

Pinja Peltonen, Assistant Producer

Hi, I’m Pinja, the assistant producer for TAFF. My job is to keep track of the details so that the executive producer can focus on the bigger picture. I make sure that day-to-day operations are running smoothly, and I step in myself if needed. I also serve as TAFF’s guest coordinator and am working feverishly to ensure that our amazing jury and other guests can travel safely to Turku to celebrate this year’s fantastic TAFF with us. So I’ll be spending my summer with at least one hand glued to my email! In my personal life, I serve as the chair of the Turku Comics Society and spend a lot of time out and about with my partner and friends, so I know what’s currently happening on the Turku cultural scene. I have two cats, and in my free time, I play cute video games!

Jaani Kekäläinen, Technical Manager

My name is Jaani Kekäläinen, and I’m the technical manager at TAFF. I’m the one they call when something goes wrong technically or when some device starts spewing out magical smoke. I also run some of the screenings – let’s enjoy these great animations together!

Iiris Valkamo, Festival Intern

Hi there! I’m Iiris, and I’m helping to organize TAFF this year. I’m interested in animation, event production, and creative work, so I’m really looking forward to new experiences and the chance to be a part of TAFF. See you at the festival!

Elfim Trotsak, Festival Intern

 I’m a first-year animation student, working as an intern at TAFF. My responsibilities leading up to the festival include managing the film screenings. During the festival, I’ll be helping out wherever I’m needed.

See you in Turku!