Summer of the Moth
A time-traveling moth gives a reclusive gardener chance to relive his childhood memories.
A cynical old gardener, Beanpole, rescues a strange, crown-wearing moth – the Prince of Moths, capable of time-travel and connecting different moments with his silk threads. Prince offers him a trip in time. They end up back to his childhood, to the better times in his life.
His home, his mother, his friends, and their silly summer games are just as he remembers. But the boy who once belonged there has been replaced by a grumpy stranger in a child’s body.
Prince’s sincerity and curiosity make Beanpole relearn what he thought he had left behind: imagination, kindness, and trust. Finally, they find their way back to present. The friends have to part, as for moths, one summer is all there is.
Director's note
When we are children, none of us imagine becoming one of those angry old curmudgeons that only seem to have complaints… But life has a way of getting to you. It becomes easy to expect disappointment, and suddenly you catch yourself saying nonsense like: “the world is no good anymore,” or “kids these days are no good.”
It feels, at times, that growing up is not just about gaining experience, but also about losing something: the optimistic curiosity and openness that children seem to have by default. I firmly believe these qualities are never truly gone. Life is not always fair, but it’s never too late to choose kindness.
Summer of the Moth grew out of these thoughts. It is a story about learning to stay open in a world where everything changes, and where loss is inevitable. I am interested in exploring death and loss, not through the lens of melancholy and grief, but through celebrating life and its little joys.
I believe our film stands out in many ways. I have worked both in animation and live action spaces and have become fascinated with the idea of combining these two art forms. A hybrid approach is quite rare and technically demanding, but as a filmmaker, I see that challenge as an exciting opportunity. The tactile craftsmanship of stop-motion animation, combined with the emotional depth brought by a live actor, can create a uniquely creative film, where imagination is the only limit.
In Summer of the Moth, we blend techniques and tones from the comedic to the tragic. Through the journey of our two protagonists, we travel through magical dimensions beyond our reality, explore childhood summers of the past, and glimpse into life on a macro scale through the eyes of the garden insects.
My aim is to create a heartwarming film that can be enjoyed by the whole family. I want to inspire children to climb trees in search of magical moths, and to remind parents to hold on to and cherish those important, fragile parts of ourselves that we easily forget while growing up.
Producer's note
Veera Lamminpää's internationally acclaimed FISH RIVER ANTHOLOGY (2024) is a unique short film, where I was struck by the clever combination of style, humor and a message that can be nicely scratched from under the surface.
After watching the short a few times I went to listen to Lamminpää's pitch for THE SUMMER OF THE MOTH at the Nordic Talents graduation event in Copenhagen in September 2025. I was quite enthusiastic and very delighted, because we lack extraordinary projects for the whole family. This was clearly one.
Since then, after starting our collaboration, we have ventured both deeper into the project’s content and towards concreteness in how to make it happen. The initial intuition has been correct: our collaboration is fruitful, and combining our varied experiences will take the project forward.
A great recognition was to be selected for the CEE Animation Workshop in 2026. The feedback and advice we have received there has been encouraging. We have been able to talk the film 360 degrees: the script, the technique of combining live-action and stop motion animation, financing and also marketing.
The reception of international partners and professionals has been overwhelmingly inspiring. Reaction to the story of the film has been met with great enthusiasm. We feel the world is with us on this journey.
I started my career in the audiovisual sector after the mid-1990s as a buyer of children's and youth programs. I have systematically spoken out in favor of family films and during my tenure at Nordisk Film & TV Fond I financed more than ten feature-length Nordic animated films.
For me THE SUMMER OF THE MOTH is a unique and profound story. It has layers and humour that help me to understand and accept difficult things. For me, this film is a gift that comes from a strong artistic ambition, a work that I am proud to support and make possible to happen.
Profile
Good Hand Production is a production company based in Helsinki, Finland. Founded by Petri Kemppinen, an audiovisual industry professional with more than 30 years of experience in financing, production and training.
Good Hand Production produces films and TV Drama series of high quality for national and international distribution, with a sole focus on co-productions. It also facilitates development and financing of projects within its network of likeminded audiovisual professionals to bring diverse stories to interested audiences.