The Kidnapping of a President

The Kidnapping of a President
Film poster.
Directed bySamuli Valkama
Written by
  • Samuli Valkama
  • John Lundsten
Produced by
  • Melli Maikkula
  • John Lundsten
Starring
CinematographyTuomo Hutri
Edited byTambet Tasuja
Music byJuho Nurmela
Production
company
TACK Films
Distributed byNordisk Film
Release dates
  • January 2026 (2026-01) (IFFR)
  • 4 September 2026 (2026-09-04) (Finland)
Running time
87 min
Countries
  • Finland
  • Czech Republic
  • Netherlands
  • Estonia
LanguageFinnish
Budget€2.8 million

The Kidnapping of a President (Finnish: Presidentin kyyditys) is a 2026 Finnish comedy-drama film directed by Samuli Valkama. The film is about the 1930 kidnapping of Finnish president Ståhlberg. In the film, K. J. Ståhlberg and his wife Ester are played by Pertti Sveholm and Riitta Havukainen.

According to the Finnish Film Foundation, the film's budget is approximately €2.5 million; according to the Estonian Film Institute, over €2.7 million. The Finnish Film Foundation's support amounts to €850,000, while the Estonian Film Institute provided approximately €90,000. In addition, production support granted by the Nordic Film & TV Fund totals 1.4 million Norwegian kroner, approximately 118,000.

Though the film takes place in Finland, it was filmed in the Czech Republic. For example, scenes taking place in Helsinki were filmed in Terezín. This was due to the Czech production incentive scheme, which supported the film's production with 9,567,839 Czech koruna, approximately €388,000.

The Kidnapping of a President premiered at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam. It is scheduled to have its theatrical premiere in later in 2026.