02.08.2024
Meet the people behind this year’s TAFF!
Our team consists of a vibrant mix of artists, curators, and enthusiasts, all united by a shared love for the art of animation. Together we strive to showcase the very best in animated short films from around the world as well as our Finnish gems. We work to ensure a safe, warm and unforgettable festival experience for all our visitors – we are here for you!
Annika Dahlsten, Festival Director
I am now in my second year as Festival Director of TAFF. My job involves planning the festival, applying for funding and brainstorming content together with the board of the underlying association, Turun elokuvatapahtumat ry. I also act as the production team’s front person and keep in contact with our partners. This year, I have planned our pop-up collaborations with libraries and Taiteen talo, and I am responsible for curating two of the festival’s exhibitions. The closer we get to the festival, the more concrete production work I’ll be doing. Meanwhile, my thoughts are already on planning next year’s TAFF festival.
I have experience in art productions and projects from both TAIKE and the Finnish Cultural Foundation. I graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts as an animation director and visual artist, and my work has been shown both in Finland and abroad, in exhibitions and festivals. TAFF is a festival I love and have participated in every year since its beginning in 2016. It’s great to be involved in TAFF and to be part of the international animation scene!
Joni Männistö, Artistic Director
My name is Joni Männistö and I got my animation studies at the Turku Arts Academy. My short animations have been shown at numerous festivals around the world. Since 2016, I have been the Artistic Director of TAFF. In addition to that, I am also part of the curation team for the animation programme of the PÖFF Shorts festival in Tallinn. Over the years, I have had the honour to be invited to several award ceremonies at international film festivals. I currently live and work in Tallinn.
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 obtaining a master in stop motion in Spain. My strong desire to explore the world results in a very nomadic lifestyle, moving between my hometown Ljubljana, my beloved Barcelona and living out of a backpack every remaining moment.
I’m currently working in Berlin and saving money for my next trip. I love feeding people, warm summer nights, good coffee, long breakfasts and I’m totally incapable of making decisions. I’m also passionate about intersectionality and work as an accessible yoga facilitator.
Anton Perttu, Festival Producer
I’m Anton, Festival Producer at TAFF for the second year running. My expertise lies in event production and audience work, and although I have no background in animation or film, working at TAFF alone has taught me a lot about the industry and given me a whole new perspective on animated films. These new perspectives are the best thing I have gotten from TAFF!
Roos Hekkens, Festival Producer
I’m Roos Hekkens, Festival Producer at TAFF. My main responsibilities are the screenings and contacting the guests and directors who make our festival possible!
TAFF started when I just moved to Turku and that has created a bond between me and the festival. I really like how events such as TAFF bring like minded people together and present great films to audiences in a lovely small town such as Turku. Film has definitely been a medium for me to meet amazing new people and I have very dear animator friends as well!
Anna-Erika Nurmi, Communications Assistant
I’m Anna-Erika, and I work as a Communications Assistant at TAFF. My job involves a wide range of tasks from communications to marketing. For example, I produce a lot of TAFF’s social media publications, but I also write newsletters, update the website and help our festival team where I can!
My previous work experience in communications lies mainly in the field of linguistics and environmental sciences. TAFF has introduced me to the film industry, which I’m truly grateful for! Animation is an art form I adore, and I’m so happy with everything I’ve already experienced and learned at TAFF.
Ylva-Lii Wahlström, Volunteer Coordinator
My name is Ylva-Lii, but you can call me Ylva, and I am the festival’s Volunteer Coordinator. I moved to Turku to study animation in the autumn of 2017, and my relationship with TAFF has continued in one way or another ever since. I’m looking forward to meeting this year’s volunteers and seeing the brand new animations.
Matti Luukko, Production Intern
I am doing an internship at TAFF as part of my animation studies at Turku University of Applied Sciences. During the festival I work as a technical assistant and before and after the festival I assist in various tasks from film transport to hanging exhibitions.
Jaani Kekäläinen, Technical Officer
My name is Jaani and I am responsible for the technology and technical performance of animation shows. I discovered the technical and narrative richness of animation by chance at the Turku Animated Film Festival. It is great that I can now play my part in promoting this art form, especially here in Turku. It’s exciting to see what kind of work this year will bring! 🙂