Film director Veli Granö has won the Church Media Foundation's 2025 award for his documentary “Sirkus Tuomento” (Circus Tuomento).
The documentary was awarded in the domestic competition at the 55th Tampere Film Festival 2025 (March 5-9), which featured a total of 37 films.
Sirkus Tuomento is a documentary about Finland’s most famous tightrope walker and artist, Antti Tuomento (b.1968).
The jury for the Church Media Foundation Award was film producer Outi Rousu, a member of the foundation's board.
"The film leads us to ponder the deep questions of existence. How to balance one's privacy, the desire to withdraw and build an inner world separate from others, but still be one with the world”, says Outi Rousu in her award statement
“With this question, the film reflects to our time, our world that is now uncertain and insecure, and tempts to withdraw. But as the protagonist of this film shows, it is possible to find your own balance, to find inner peace, and still be part of a community”.
"As an abused child, he wanted to improve the atmosphere in his violent family, and now as an adult, he wants to improve the world. But how? -- The film is skillfully constructed. It successfully balances the public and private worlds of its protagonist. And why wouldn't it succeed, because the main character is a master of balancing, a tightrope walker.”
The Church Media Foundation Award is worth €1,500. It has been awarded at the Tampere Film Festival to one domestic film director annually since 2017.
The award criteria emphasize the technical and artistic quality of the films, as well as themes that invite viewers to reflect on Christian values.
"Sirkus Tuomento" also won the main prize of the festival's national competition for documentaries over 30'.