Markus Lehmusruusu is a Finnish writer-director. His latest film, The Squirrel (2026), is Finland’s official Oscar submission, and his debut feature was the most-watched domestic film in Finland in 2019. His films follow characters who have spent years becoming who they think they should be, until that version of themselves no longer holds.
After studying law, he chose filmmaking over a legal career. He lives and works in Finland.
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Selected Work
The Squirrel (2026)
Writer / Director
Finland's Official Submission — 99th Academy Awards® / Best International Feature Film
Grand Jury Prize — Utopiales 2026
International Premiere — Fantastic Fest 2026
Opening Film — Trieste Science+Fiction Festival 2026
Developed through TorinoFilmLab’s ScriptLab, 2018
Ricky Rapper and the Strongman (2019)
Director
Finland’s most-watched domestic film of 2019
Acquired by Netflix
Miss Zahra (2015)
Director
World Premiere — Palm Springs International ShortFest
Official Competition — Moscow International Film Festival
Quality Award — Arts Promotion Centre Finland, 2016
Television
Kakarat (2020 & 2023)
Director (Season 1 co-directed with Juho Kuosmanen)
Lovi (2021)
Director (co-directed with Miia Tervo)
Finalist, Fiction 11–15 — Prix Jeunesse International 2022
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CONTACT
