DAILY BRIEF: Sustainable parkas, film, acquisition and Finnish working life

Finnish independent documentary film BIG vs SMALL has been selected for international film festivals in both Dublin and Glasgow. Directed by Minna Dufton for Raggari Films, the film brings together Portugal’s first female big wave surfer, Joana “Tiny Fighter” Andrade and Finnish world champion free diver Johanna Nordblad in an extraordinary tale of facing one’s fears. Meanwhile, Joonas Berghäll’s documentary The Red Ring will also receive an international audience after Denmark-based film distributor LevelK acquired the world sales rights of the film. The Finnish documentary explores the global epidemic of tick-borne infections from both an investigative and personal angle. Image: Elina Manninen

Joonas Berghäll’s documentary The Red Ring will also receive an international audience after Denmark-based film distributor LevelK acquired the world sales rights of the film. The Finnish documentary explores the global epidemic of tick-borne infections from both an investigative and personal angle. The director draws on his own experience with Lyme disease, to investigate why efforts aren’t being made to stop the global Lyme disease epidemic. Image: Level K

Hibox, a Finnish provider of advanced TV solutions for telecom, media, hospitality and healthcare, is being acquired by Sweden-based Accedo. Hibox’s flagship Aura platform and Smartroom TV system for hotels will complement Accedo’s wide range of video experience solutions. The transaction is expected to be completed in March. Image: Hibox

Finnish sustainable fibre company Spinnova and clothing brands Reima and Sasta have been awarded for the second year in a row at the Scandinavian Outdoor Awards. An anorak made from Spinnova’s recyclable cellulose-based fibre for Bergans of Norway won the main prize in the competition. The coat can be returned at the end of its lifecycle and turned into new clothing, with the customer compensated for providing the raw material. Finnish children’s clothing brand Reima’s Muutun jacket was awarded as the best kids’ product, while Sasta’s sustainable and weatherproof Peski jacket was named the best outdoor apparel. Image: Reima

In this recurring series, we talk with expatriates who have settled and forged careers in Finland. Ben Wilson is a staff scientist at Aalto University who’s originally from the UK and lived in a number of European cities before moving to Finland in 2007. Today, he is part of Finland’s thriving battery research community. Check out what he has to say about work and life in this northern neck of the woods by clicking the headline. Image: Ben Wilson