01 / Sara Paavolainen
A life in stories.
Sara Paavolainen is a Helsinki-based actress. Her work spans Aino in Rauta-aika, Lea Markku in Huojuva talo and Ingvil Ranta in Dance Brothers, as well as the worlds of literature through audiobook narration.
A 1984 graduate of the Theatre Academy in Helsinki, she has received a Jussi Award and a Silver Nymph at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, among other honours.
02 / Selected work
Lives on screen.
Stories in sound.
A selection of films, television roles and audiobooks.
Film
- 2023
Valoa valoa valoa
Teacher Director Inari Niemi
- 2023
Järjettömän paska idea
Barbro Director Pamela Tola
- 2017
Tuntematon sotilas
Elina, Koskela’s mother Director Aku Louhimies
- 2010
Paha perhe
Anna Director Aleksi Salmenperä
- 2009–2010
Täällä Pohjantähden alla I & II
Anna Kivivuori Director Timo Koivusalo
- 2007
Musta jää
Lea Director Petri Kotwica
- 1993
Harjunpää ja kiusantekijät
Sinikka Poikolainen Director Åke Lindman
Jussi Award 1994 · Best Supporting Actress
Television
- 2024
Konflikti
Chair of the Defence Committee
- 2023
Dance Brothers
Ingvil Ranta Director Taito Kawata Netflix / Yle
- 2022
Sijainen
Katja Kelo Director Jyri Kähönen
- 2020
Rauhantekijä
Prime Minister Väätäinen
- 2003
Venny
Venny Soldan-Brofeldt Director Pekka Ruohoranta
- 1990
Huojuva talo
Lea Markku Director Eija-Elina Bergholm
Silver Nymph 1992 · Monte Carlo
- 1982
Rauta-aika
Aino Director Kalle Holmberg
Audiobooks
Narrated in Finnish by Sara Paavolainen
- 2022
Kaksi
Märta Tikkanen · Tammi
- 2020
Märta Tikkanen – tyttö, joka halusi juosta vetten päällä
Johanna Holmström · Tammi
- 2020
Aatelisneito, porvaristyttö
Kaari Utrio · Tammi
- 2019
Miestä ei voi raiskata
Märta Tikkanen · Tammi
- 2018
Vuosisadan rakkaustarina
Märta Tikkanen · Tammi
03 / Awards
Recognition.
- 1996
Finland Prize for a Young Artist
- 1994
Jussi Award
Best Supporting Actress · Harjunpää ja kiusantekijät
- 1993
Ida Aalberg Foundation’s Young Actor Award
- 1992
Silver Nymph · Monte Carlo
Best Actress · Huojuva talo
- 1991
State Prize for Cinema
Huojuva talo
04 / Contact
Let’s be in touch.
Casting, work enquiries and collaborations.