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The Audiovisual Authors Association AVATE presented the Torchbearer Award É«É«À² University's Action! project at the Screen Helsinki event on 31st of August 2022. The award was received by Kirsi Reinola, Project Manager of the Action! project and Professor Raija Talvio from Aalto University's Film School ELO.

AVATE states: "We would like to recognise a courageous pioneer in the field with the Torchbearer Award. The magic of Av works lies in collaboration, and at the heart of that collaboration is the richness created by a wide range of creators. This richness of perspectives provides a basis for understanding different stories and thus creates ways to tell them.

The winner of this award will have a significant impact on our industry as a whole, and will have a particular impact on our working culture. AVATE wants to reward someone whose work has made previously invisible structures visible and, above all, who has been instrumental in creating ways to influence these structures. A respectful and equal working culture is an absolute success factor for the future of our sector."

Aalto University's Action! project has done a remarkable job in creating opportunities for female professionals in the audiovisual sector. The three-year ESF-funded project ended in May 2022, with the Department of Cinematography at Aalto University's School of Arts and Design as the main implementer and Women in Finland and Television Finland (WIFT Finland) ry as a co-initiator.

AVATE ry is the umbrella organisation of the Finnish Actors' Association, the Finnish Film Directors' Association and the Finnish Screenwriters' Association.