Sodankylä
Services for your crew, wilderness for your vision — That’s Sodankylä!
About Sodankylä
Sodankylä is a film set disguised as a municipality. Bigger than some countries, it stretches from the windswept fells of Sompio to the ski chalets of Luosto. Urho Kekkonen National Park is situated at western end of Sodankylä and the Pyhä-Luosto National Park is to the south part. In between: Sámi village Vuotso, gold rush ghost town, glacial lakes, historic military sites, sceanic riverbank areas, arctic wilderness and a downtown that hasn’t heard of avocado toast.
Sodankylä is a small but vast municipality in the heart of Finnish Lapland, with just over 8,000 people spread across forests, fells, and wide-open peatlands.
The landscape is shaped by the Kitinen River, winding through old-growth pine woods, bogs, and traditional village life, with striking landmarks like Luosto Fell and the rugged Nattaset mountains rising on the horizon. Known for the Midnight Sun Film Festival, the northern lights, and the nearby Urho Kekkonen National Park, Sodankylä is where quiet wilderness meets deep-rooted northern culture.
FeatureS
Sodankylä offers vast wilderness, scenic riversides, Arctic fells like Luosto and Nattaset, as well as extensive peatlands and bogs. The municipality features solid public infrastructure and a mix of modern buildings, traditional Finnish log cabins, and plenty of wooden houses from the 1950s spread throughout the area. The region includes lake districts and two large artificial lakes, suitable for various water scenes. Kommattivaara provides routes and ski slopes. Known for its reliable snow conditions, Sodankylä benefits from exceptional Arctic light ranging from polar night to midnight sun. Reindeer are common and might casually wander onto your set. There are also historical wartime sites that add an extra layer of local history.
Pyhä-Luosto national park
At the other end of Sodankylä, the Pyhä-Luosto National Park is situated between the ski resort villages of Luosto and Pyhä. An expansive forest grows between these gentle hills and their stony ravines. In the winter, the park features impressive frozen waterfalls and epic snowscapes. In Luosto, north of the national park, there is an open-air Amethyst Mine (operated without heavy machinery.) There is a well-lit covered section for use in winter.
Southernmost Sámi village
In the village of Vuotso (1 h by car from Sodankylä centre), the Sámi people are the majority, and their culture and language are present in daily life.
Retro-looking downtown
The largest town is the eponymous Sodankylä. Sodankylä is internationally recognized as the home of the iconic Midnight Sun Film Festival, held every summer, drawing filmmakers and cinephiles from around the world. This town is a hub for the multiple international mining companies operating in the area, so there are services ready for getting out and about in nature safely and environmentally friendly. The downtown has a retro vibe, apartment blocks from the 60s and 70s, stone-clad shops, and a wooden church from 1689.
Iconic stony Nattanen Fells
The natural offerings of Sodankylä cannot be overstated. At the Sompio Strict Nature Reserve in the north, there are the iconic Nattanen Fells, whose red granite vistas and stunted vegetation are a constant reminder that you’re in the Arctic. Sparse pine forests sprout up in the valleys between the rocky fells. Lake Sompiojärvi is the southern anchor of the park. Filming in the reserve is permitted, but access is limited to the hiking trails and public areas.
Kierinki
Kierinki-village (50 min by car from downtown Sodankylä) has wooden buildings from the early 20th century.
Logistics in Sodankylä
Sodankylä sits about halfway between the Rovaniemi and Ivalo Airport (1 h 45 min by car) along European highway E75. Most of Sodankylä wilderness and cultural areas are easily accessible, either by this highway or other national highways.
Accommodation in Sodankylä includes hotel rooms and cabins downtown, as well as hotels, cabins and chalets at the ski resort Luosto, Kakslauttanen and travel industry is investing more capacity. In the north end of Sodankylä, accommodation tends toward cabins and B&Bs. Support services and activity providers are active, especially near the Luosto ski resort and Sompio.
Bring Your Film to Life in Sodankylä
Get in Touch
Senja Lakela-Pyykkönen
Business Coordinator
+358 40 58 54 690
senja.lakela-pyykkonen@sodankyla.fi
Conditions
References
FILMED IN Sodankylä
From tv drama to blockbuster films, filmmakers love Lapland. Below you’ll find recent productions made in Sodankylä region.
A film commission above ordinary
Film Lapland (Finnish Lapland Film Commission) and the municipality network are more than happy to help bring your production above ordinary. We will help you find the ideal locations, service providers and crew members for your production. Film Lapland is here to make your experience in Finnish Lapland efficient, easy and enjoyable.