Anni Fahler has been appointed as the new Executive Director for DocPoint, starting from September 15, 2025. Fahler brings with her a diverse background in the cultural and film industry. The 25th DocPoint – Helsinki Documentary Film Festival will take place on February 3–8, 2026, in Helsinki.

“DocPoint’s recruitment for a new Executive Director attracted a very high-quality pool of applicants. The diversity and expertise of the candidates made the selection process both challenging and inspiring. We hope that as many of them as possible will continue to contribute to the cultural field in the future!” says Betty Marschan, Chair of the Board of DocPoint – Film Events Association.

“Anni Fahler brings an excellent combination of strategic thinking, communication skills, and experience in developing the finances and operations of cultural organizations. Her ability to build trust and cooperation with funders, artists, and partners is exactly what DocPoint needs at a time when the cultural field faces many structural and economic challenges. Anni understands the significance of non-fiction films as a socially relevant art form and has a clear vision of how the festival’s values and operating conditions can be sustainably strengthened for the future,” says Betty Marschan.

“Non-fiction films opens windows to the world and gives a voice to stories that might otherwise go unheard. The festival is an important platform for encounters, discussions, and new perspectives. Together with the team, artists, partners, and audience, I want to ensure that DocPoint remains a bold, topical, and community-building event. It is inspiring to continue the DocPoint story, and I believe that with collaboration and creativity, we can strengthen the position of non-fiction film in Finland during these challenging times,” says Anni Fahler.

Anni Fahler is a versatile arts and culture professional who has worked in film distribution, museums, and the independent arts sector. She has held positions at Amos Rex, the Finnish Institute in Stockholm, the Ostrobothnia Film Centre, and several film festivals.

Fahler succeeds Johanna Råman, who will start as the Director of the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux in Brussels in October 2025.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Johanna Råman for her significant contribution as DocPoint’s Executive Director over the past two years. Under Johanna’s leadership, the festival achieved financial stability, and the office developed into a workplace described as warm, appreciative, and encouraging of collaboration. Although Johanna’s departure is a great loss for us, it is a joy to move forward together with a new, strong Executive Director,” Betty Marschan adds.

DocPoint Film Events Association (in Finnish: DocPoint-elokuvatapahtumat ry), founded in 2001, is a not-for-profit organization that strives to promote creative documentary film and culture in Finland, and creates dialogue between international professionals and audiences. The association annually organizes DocPoint – Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, one of the largest documentary film festivals in the Nordic countries and the only event in Finland dedicated exclusively to non-fiction films. In 2024, DocPoint – Film Events Association received the Finnish State Prize for Cinema for organizing the annual DocPoint – Helsinki Documentary Film Festival. The 25th DocPoint Festival will be held from February 3 to 8, 2026.

Photo: Eleonora Weyner