Private Project

Operation Saimaa Seal

"Operation Saimaa Seal" is a documentary film about the Saimaa ringed seal, its captivating habitat in Lake Saimaa, and the unwavering efforts of researchers who aim to save this critically endangered species. Climate change poses a grim future for the Saimaa ringed seal. The seal requires snow and ice to reproduce, but in the future there may not be snow nor ice on Lake Saimaa during winters. What will happen to the seal when climate change threatens to destroy its living conditions? Researchers have a solution: seal boxes. But what kind of artificial nest will the seal accept as its home?

  • Petteri Saario
    Director
  • Petteri Saario
    Writer
  • Tiina Saario
    Producer
  • Petteri Saario
    Producer
  • Miina Auttila
    Key Cast
  • Petteri Saario
    Cinematography
  • Antti Saario
    Cinematography
  • Joonatan Hietanen
    Sound Design
  • Petteri Saario
    Editor
  • Sari Orkomies
    Production coordinator and researcher
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Operaatio Norppa
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Man and nature, Environment
  • Runtime:
    58 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 11, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Finland
  • Country of Filming:
    Finland
  • Language:
    Finnish
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Matsalu Nature Film Festival
    Lihula
    Estonia
    September 28, 2024
    Finalist
  • Vaasa Wildlife Film Festival
    Vaasa
    Finland
    September 27, 2024
    Winner in the Category of Best Finnish Nature
  • European Wildlife Film Awards
    Hamburg
    Germany
    January 25, 2025
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Petteri Saario

Petteri Saario is a Finnish documentary filmmaker, specialized in directing and shooting films about disappearing natural and cultural values and the complex relationship between man and nature. He runs an independent production company DocArt. His films have been awarded and screened at numerous festivals around the world, including IDFA, Prix Europa, Krakow Film Festival, Moscow Film Festival and Japan Wildlife Film Festival. His latest feature length documentaries are Maiden of the Lake (2019), Activist (2017) and Rap and Reindeer (2023).

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