The director of the film is Zaida Bergroth, a highly acclaimed Finnish director for which this will be the fifth feature-length drama. She says that Alma Pöysti has all the right characteristics for the role of Tove Jansson. “When I searched for an actress to portray Tove Jansson, I was looking for someone who would have that right Tove-like energy, and who could credibly play a person who created something as amazing and imaginative as the Moomins. Alma Pöysti’s version of Tove combines intelligence and melacholy as well as humour and flirt in a wonderful way. I am very excited to be able to present such an incredible actress to a large audience”, Bergroth says.

Vivica Bandler is played by Krista Kosonen and Shanti Roney plays Atos Wirtanen.

Tune in to BBC Radio 4 at 9.45 everyday this week to hear Sarah Lamble reading extracts from Letters From Tove by Tove Jansson. Episode One introduces listeners to the young Tove Jansson, arriving as an art student in Paris and coping with the misogyny and hazing rituals meted out to novices at the eminent École des Beaux-Arts.