What drives success in the film and audiovisual industries? New research to support growth and competitiveness

The operating environment of the film and audiovisual sector is changing rapidly. Funding logics, distribution platforms and competitive dynamics have become more complex, and decisions are  being made in increasingly unpredictable conditions. The global competitiveness of production ecosystems operating in small language areas depend ever more strongly on strategic management and decision-making.

The three-year SmartSuccessAV research project (2026–2029) brings together the academic research expertise and the ambition of the companies involved to renew, grow and strengthen their competitive position in the industry. The project examines success in the film and audiovisual sector in terms of structures, value chains and strategic agency. The research analyses the institutional and market-based frameworks within which decisions are made, the management logics that guide choices and the connections between these, and transformation in the industry in small language areas.

The research project director is Professor Susanna Helke and the research is carried out by the Elements of Success (Menestys) research group in film production studies - doctoral researchers Johanna Wartio, Heidi Rintala and Ilkka Matila - together with postdoctoral researcher Eliisa Vainikka.

Impactful research across the whole value chain

In the SmartSuccessAV project, the research group and industry partners collaborate closely across the entire value chain. Companies open their production environments, workflows, and strategic decision-making processes to researchers, taking an active role in generating new insights. Rather than simply acquiring results, they become contributors to the new research-based knowledge generated by the research team.

Business Finland Co-Innovation funding strengthens production studies research at Aalto University and enhances companies' research capabilities. It also accelerates the adoption of research results within the industry and supports the development of new global products and export across the sector.

Making Movies Oy, Post Control Helsinki Oy are involved in the consortium with their own research projects. With Business Finland grant, the companies can focus on the research, while also increasing their research and development intensity. Bio Rex Cinemas Oy is also a consortium member with their internal research project. “Industry disruptions and transformations should not only pose challenges, but also create opportunities. We see great potential in collaboration that crosses traditional industry sectors and boundaries,” says Pauliina Piipponen, producer at Making Movies.

The project’s steering group member companies brings together representatives from Making Movies, Post Control Helsinki, Bio Rex Cinemas, Nordisk Film, Elisa Viihde, Reinvent Yellow, Fireframe, Good Hand Film and TV, Cyon Media, Yle and the research unit of the Finnish Film Foundation (SES).

Competitiveness is shaped within a global operating environment, and the project collaborates with the University of Copenhagen and the University of Warwick to incorporate international academic expertise and insight.

The focus of the project aligns with the strategic objectives of Business Finland and the Finnish government's Growth Strategy for the Creative Economy, both of which emphasise long-term growth and international competitiveness in the creative industries.

Smart Management and Decision-Making for Success in the Film and AV Industry: Advancing the Global Competitiveness and Strategic Leadership SmartSuccessAV Co-Innovation -research project is funded by Business Finland.