Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today announces Banijay Finland’s strategic move into vertical storytelling and short-form content production, with a new commission for Yle, Survival Sisters. The announcement was made at Series Mania in Lille, where Banijay Entertainment is showcasing its latest scripted slate, and Steve Matthews, Head of Scripted, is speaking on the Microdrama Apps panel.

Created by Susanna Karttunen, the 20 x 5 mockumentary satire will be produced in dual formats, 16:9 for Yle’s streaming platform, Yle Areena, and 9:16, optimised for the broadcaster’s social channels. This two-format strategy is designed to reach next-generation audiences across streaming and mobile-first viewing environments.

Known locally as Lottakoulu, Survival Sisters is a fast-paced, character-driven comedy set inside a fictional Homefront Academy, where young women are trained to be ‘good citizens’, prepared for any societal threat. Through interviews, classroom scenarios and escalating absurdity, the series explores the expectations placed on women, from national duty to upholding traditional values, all while navigating friendship, identity and the relentless pressure of modern, everyday life.

Minna Virkajärvi, Executive Producer Banijay Finland comments: “Banijay Finland is known for creating innovative, culturally-resonate, and often satirical drama and comedy, and Survival Sisters is a natural step as we expand into short-form and vertical formats. Younger audiences are shifting the way we consume content, and this commission reflects both Yle’s and our commitment to exploring new ways of delivering premium storytelling without compromising ambition or quality. Susanna Karttunen is an exciting new Finnish voice, and this show’s relevance and sharp satirical edge will resonate strongly with viewers.”

Teija Rantala, Yle’s Yle Chlidren’s and Youth Content Commissioner says: “The theme of Survival Sisters hits close to home: the mood across Finland has grown uncertain, with young adults wondering what challenges their generation might be asked to face. With sharp, warm-hearted humour, the series asks what it means to be a good woman in a time of often overwhelming conversations—and above all, it liberates by making a difficult subject laugh-out-loud funny.”

Banijay Finland’s premium scripted slate spans series and feature films, including popular crime titles like Murder in Hanko and Detective Maria Kallio; comedies such as Supporting Actor, the YA dance-drama Dance Brothers; and recently announced projects Queen Heist and The Good Widow. The company’s mission is to tell entertaining and meaningful stories in a responsible and diverse way, for local and international audiences.

Banijay Entertainment is Europe’s number one studio in scripted, with over 60 labels across the footprint, producing over 100 titles annually. Its global portfolio highlighted at Series Mania includes A Woman of Substance, Falling, Half Man, Motorvalley, BOHO, La Nena, Montmartre, Marie-Line Incognito, Wallander, My Brother, and Anatomy of a Moment.