Short film Pyhä Magic Montage, shot on Pyhätunturi and screened at international festivals, premieres today
Shot on Pyhätunturi over two winters and filmed entirely on 16 mm film, Pyhä Magic Montage will be released nationwide today at 12:00 PM (EET) on March 5, 2026. The film toured festivals in Finland, France and Hungary before its online release.
The film was directed and shot by long-time freeski filmmaker Aarni Toiviainen, who has documented Finnish ski culture for over 20 years. Pyhä Magic Montage is his first larger-scale production filmed entirely on 16 mm.
– Shooting on film is slow and requires commitment. I wanted to capture the atmosphere of Pyhätunturi in a way that feels timeless. In the bergfilm tradition, the landscape is not the background – it is the main character, says Toiviainen.
The film represents the rare bergfilm genre – a silent film aesthetic accompanied by an original score. The music was composed and recorded in autumn 2024 by a group of musicians assembled by Jaakko Hietakangas, together with sound designer Samu Salovaara.
A two-winter project
The film was produced by Suvi Vuorimäki, who works as Event Manager at Pyhä Ski Resort. The idea for the film began to take shape in 2020.
– What makes Pyhä special are the people I get to spend time and ski with here on my home fell. I wanted to capture a snapshot of this community and the feeling that makes us stay and return here year after year, as the first snowflakes begin to fall, says Vuorimäki.
Filming took place over 13 separate trips across two winters in 2023–2024.
Although directed by Toiviainen, the project brought together a wide group of skiers, musicians and production crew.
– This film is the result of collaboration between many different contributors, Toiviainen concludes.
From Pyhä to international festivals
Pyhä Magic Montage premiered in Pyhä in December 2024 and has since been screened in Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ruka and at the High Five Festival in Annecy, France. In February 2026, the film was shown at Finn Filmnapok in Budapest, an event presenting Finnish cinema to international audiences.
Following its festival tour, the film is now released for the first time for free public viewing.
Watch Pyhä Magic Montage
Watch on YouTube
Film credits:
Producer: Suvi Vuorimäki
Assistant Director: Riku Laakso
Production Assistant: Anna-Kaisa Pohjola
Sound Design: Samu Salovaara
Riders: Elmi Aunio, Miikka Hast, Jani Johansén, Merle Soppela, Hannu Oikkonen, Kalle Kutvonen, Joona Alaverronen, Eppu Puominen, Suvi Suitiala, Iris Vesamäki, Vilma Hämäläinen, Anna Salolatva, Jenni Koli, Jenni Lähteenmäki, Anttu Oikkonen, Pontus Penttilä
Original Score: Jaakko Hietakangas, Samu Salovaara, Rosita Ahola, Tatu Kuisma, Ami Vuorinen, Markus Hietamies, Miisa Lehto
Audio Mastering: Nuutti Vartiainen
Graphic Design: Suvi Suitiala
In collaboration with: Karhu