Paavo Hanninen
is a New Orleans-based writer/director.
His work as a filmmaker has been shown around the world, from Idaho to Brazil. He is currently in post-production on a feature documentary and in development on a narrative feature. His feature screenplay Remote View, was a finalist for the Nantucket Screenwriters Colony and WarnerMedia Southpitch.
His latest short film I Think I'm Dying premiered on Shortoftheweek.com and was recently selected for the Sarasota Film Festival. His other short, Ghost Girl, premiered at the Sun Valley Film Festival and recently was awarded Best Direction at SF Shorts. His short documentary, What Remains, recently released by The New Yorker Documentary.
As a Director of Photography
Paavo has shot documentaries, narratives, music videos, and branded content. Films he has shot have played at Rotterdam, Clermont-Ferrand, New Orleans Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival, and many others.
He has worked with numerous notable directors including Garrett Bradley, Margaret Brown, Lee Hirsch, Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, and many others. Films he has DP-ed have been supported by Sundance, SF Film, Tribeca, Southern Doc Fund, Ford Foundation and many others. Recently, Paavo DP-ed the feature documentary "The Neutral Ground" which premiered at Tribeca Festival before playing on POV on PBS.
Festivals & Recognition
Austin Film Festival
Maryland Film Festival
Sarasota Film Festival
Berlinale Short Film Cloud
Sun Valley Film Festival
Nantucket Screenwriters Colony Finalist
Cucalorus Film Festival
Davey Fest
Sarasota Film Festival
Curitiba International Film Festival
SF Shorts--Winner Best Direction
Oxford Film Festival
New Orleans Film Festival
Sidewalk Film Festival
Indy Film Fest
Tallgrass Film Festival
Beeston Film Festival
Lake Placid Film Festival
Micheaux Film Festival
Tonkawa Film Festival -- Winner Best Drama
Dumbo Film Festival
The New Yorker
Shortoftheweek.com
Omeleto selection
Nobudge.com selection
Directorsnotes.com
Austin Film Society grantee
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage grantee
Threadhead Foundation grantee
Filmshop Breakthrough artist
WarnerMedia SouthPitch Finalist