Helmi Tolonen

Helmi Tolonen is a hard-working screenwriter with a funny bone, recently completed
Serial Eyes, Europe’s premier postgraduate training program for television writers, organized
by the DFFB in Berlin. She is now back in Stockholm, currently working on several projects in
development, both Swedish and international, as a solo creator, collaborating with co-
creators and as a staff writer in writers’ rooms.

Helmi additionally works part-time as a development executive for Swedish broadcaster TV4. With
several years of experience in both screenwriting and commissioning, Helmi has become an
expert in communication, the structure of TV series and the audience’s perspective.

Helmi’s insatiable curiosity for character and theme, which she considers essential
components of a series engine, makes television particularly appealing to her. Juggling
different roles and genres is her passion, emphasizing teamwork and leaving ego at the
door.

Helmi discovered her passion for writing after many years of attempting to become an
actress in her youth. One day, it clicked: it was way more fun to influence the story. Since
then, Helmi has studied screenwriting at Biskops Arnö, Arcada University of Applied
Sciences, the Stockholm University of the Arts and Serial Eyes.
Helmi grew up in Sweden, but her parents are from Finland, which has fostered a strong
connection for her to the Finnish, specifically Finland-Swedish, film industry. During 2019-
2020, she created and wrote the critically acclaimed youth comedy series Jag kommer for
YLE and NRK. She also developed season 2 for YLE in 2022.

What drives Helmi to write is a strong Need For Validation™, and her drive to never settle
and always improve comes from her Imposter Syndrome™. It might not be surprising, then,
that Helmi’s writing often deals with themes of outsiderism and uncomfortable social
situations, through characters who are a bit rough around the edges and are seeking their
place in the world. Typically infused with openness, warmth, and humor, Helmi’s own projects
often leans towards the tragicomic.