The DocPoint Apollo Award is a recognition of Jörn Donner’s (b. 1933) achievements as a producer, director and a general force behind Finnish documentaries. An eclectic talent of culture, Donner has moved swiftly from one media to another, but cinema has always remained close to his heart. He has been active for five decades, generating a long career not only as a film-maker but also as a cultural influence. For example, Donner was involved in establishing the Finnish Film Archive in 1958.

Donner’s directorial career began with a documentary: he made his debut at the age of 21 with Aamua kaupungissa (Morning in the City), which examines the city of Helsinki. As a documentarist Donner is an exception among Finnish film-makers because many of his works are essay films in form. As a film-maker Donner is a strong auteur, whose presence and life-experience are seen and heard on screen. Among others, Donner’s filmography includes the Finnish documentary classic Fuck Off!, a ruthless and frank description of the state of the union in the beginning of the 1970’s.

Jörn Donner is among the most successful international film-makers in Finland. Ingmar Bergman’s Academy Award-winning Fanny and Alexander (1982) is the most famous of Donner’s productions, but with his company Jörn Donner Productions he has produced several documentaries by high-profile Finnish directors, including Marja Pensala, Pirjo Honkasalo, Markku Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui.