Finnish director Pekka Hara has joined Little Minx–the Santa Monica-based production house headed by founder/executive producer Rhea Scott–for U.S. commercial representation. Hara comes aboard a company directorial roster that includes Malik Sayeed, Rodrigo Prieto, Joe Carnahan, A.V. Rockwell, and Luca Guadagnino.
Hara has earned more than 70 awards and nominations for his work, including a Cannes Silver Lion in 2009 for Santec Security Systems’ “Gas Station” out of Hamburg agency Serviceplan. Back in 2005 he was named Best International Director at London’s Midsummer Awards. Hara’s spot credits span such brands as Philips, Volvo, Mitsubishi, Nokia, Disney, Ikea, Sprite, and University of Phoenix,
Hara’s eclectic background informs his visually stunning and sometimes surreal style. He was born in Finland and attended the Helsinki Institute of Art and Media, where he studied producing and cinematography. He quickly moved from working as an assistant director for Finnish TV and film to directing international projects. He was previously signed to Blink and Stink in the U.K., and Furlined and RSA in the U.S.
Little Minx’s Scott cited Hara’s “multi-faceted global experience,” noting that “Pekka has made leaps and bounds outside of the U.S, for the last couple of years and he comes back to us with work that is vibrant, witty, and even bigger in scope. I am really looking forward to developing his career from this point onwards.”
Hara said of his new roost, “I’ve been a fan of the company for many years, looking forward to working with Rhea and the rest of the amazing team. After searching for the right option for a while everything finally clicked. It feels good to be back in U.S, market. I am a traveling band, a circus coming to town.”
Currently Hara is developing his first American feature film, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, adapted from the young adult novel of the same name. The project is being produced by Hollywood legend Hawk Koch, known for such films as Heaven Can Wait, Primal Fear, and Wayne’s World.