Private Project

Vanishing Point

Ten-year-old Matilda is spending her summer vacation with her grandpa, learning to draw. At the same time, she dreams of being closer to her father and looks forward to their journey to the other side of the world. However, as the moment of departure approaches, Matilda begins to see the people around her from a new perspective.

  • Sampo Saikkonen
    Director
  • Sampo Saikkonen
    Writer
  • Maria Jakobsson
    Writer
  • Maria Jakobsson
    Producer
  • Maya Afriyie
    Key Cast
    "Matilda"
  • Antti Peltola
    Key Cast
    "Dad"
  • Heikki Häkkä
    Key Cast
    "Grandpa"
  • Veikka Sundberg
    Cinematographer
  • Nea Myllärinen
    Editor
  • Sampo Saikkonen
    Editor
  • Jasper Pajunen
    Sound Designer
  • Ilmari Kairamo
    Composer
  • Ukko Kairamo
    Composer
  • Vera Savinainen
    Set Decorator
  • Magnus Miekka Seelisch
    Costume Designer
  • Sini Kiias
    Make-up Artist
  • Elise Byman
    Assistant Director
  • Sini Kiias
    Assistant Director
  • Jenni Sirén
    Location Manager
  • Aino Karasjoki
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Pinja Ylioja
    2nd Assistant Camera
  • Aapo Rainio
    2nd Assistant Camera
  • Osmo Salminen
    2nd Assistant Camera
  • Petri Ollila
    2nd Assistant Camera
  • Marko Pyykkönen
    Key Grip
  • Aapo Rainio
    Grip
  • Petri Ollila
    Steadicam-operator
  • Toni Unver
    Script Supervisor
  • Oskari Koponen
    Gaffer
  • Leevi Pienihäkkinen
    Electrician
  • Petri Ollila
    Electrician
  • Jasper Pajunen
    Production Sound
  • Kaisa Järvinen
    1st Boom Operator
  • Olli Kietäväinen
    2nd Boom Operator
  • Tuomas Gröndahl
    2nd Boom Operator
  • Lotta Pirhonen
    Assistant Set Decorator
  • Anna Kommonen
    Wardrobe Assistant
  • Veikka Sundberg
    Color Grade
  • Jasper Pajunen
    Sound Editor
  • Kaisa Järvinen
    Sound Mixing
  • Suvi Laukkanen
    Extras
  • Olli Kietäväinen
    Extras
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Pakopiste
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 25, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    Finland
  • Country of Filming:
    Finland
  • Language:
    English, Finnish
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.66:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Metropolia UAS
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Sampo Saikkonen

Sampo Saikkonen is a screenwriter and director based in Helsinki, Finland. Sampo grew up surrounded by books and films, so stories have always played a big role in his life.

His interest towards filmmaking was sparked during his vocational media studies, when his passion for photography expanded into videography. In the years following graduation, he worked in different roles on music videos, commercials and short films. He’s now studying filmmaking in Metropolia UAS and has written, directed and edited multiple short films during his studies.

His short documentary NIINA & SIMO – THREE ACTS (2021) was selected into the national competition of Tampere International Film Festival. Both his documentaries and fiction films deal with topics such as family, loneliness and the passing of time.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

We live in an era in which loneliness is a rule rather than an exception. We desperately need others, but our culture emphasizes the individual at the expense of the communal. VANISHING POINT is a subtle reminder of the importance of genuine connection with others.

The film focuses on ten-year-old Matilda and her small family. Both Matilda, her father and her grandpa are alone in one way or another. Each of them tries to deal with this loneliness in their own way, with varying degrees of success – as most people do.

Films can act as a mirror, through which we can see life more clearly and learn to understand not only other people, but also ourselves. I hope that VANISHING POINT will also be such a film for its audience.