What happens when the life you built stops fitting who you are?
Markus Lehmusruusu is a Finnish writer-director whose films are driven by a lifelong fascination with identity. Whether working in drama, comedy or speculative fiction, he is drawn to characters who have shaped their lives around an idea of who they should be — and to the moment that idea is disrupted, by another person, an impossible situation, or a truth that can no longer be avoided.
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 — Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
International Premiere — Fantastic Fest
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
Award of Excellence — Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Television
Kakarat (2020 & 2023)
Director (Season 1 co-directed with Juho Kuosmanen)
Lovi (2021)
Director (co-directed with Miia Tervo)
Nominated for Best TV Series — Prix Jeunesse International
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CONTACT
