Film production in North Karelian landscapes began in 1965, when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Hollywood film Doctor Zhivago, starring Omar Sharif, was filmed on the ice of Pyhäselkä. Since then, great nature, idyllic rural landscapes and a modern urban environment together with skilled labour and competitive production costs have attracted a number of domestic and international productions to our region. Especially directors Markku Pölönen and Perttu Leppä have set many of their movies in the region.
The East Finland Film Commission (EFFC) is a non-profit organisation operating under Business Joensuu, whose task is to bring new film and series productions to the area and serve production companies regionally.
