Akseli Leppänen is a Finnish-born filmmaker now studying film in Baltic Film, Media and Art School’s documentary MA program in Tallinn, Estonia. Before his studies in Estonia, Leppänen worked as a birthday party magician for a year and served as a second class sergeant in the Finnish military. Leppänen began filmmaking at the age of 10; the obsession has followed him throughout his life ever since. His films tend to be based on his family’s experiences, often involving very personal stories. In his spare time, Leppänen’s interests include stargazing, model building and painting.