ICS Nordic developing ‘Vampira’ doc around 1950s icon Maila Nurmi

Finland-based ICS (Ilkkas’ Creative Studio) Nordic is working on Vampira, a documentary project about Maila Nurmi, the American actress best known for creating the camp 1950s character, Vampira.

Developed as a 3 x 30-minute docuseries and also as a 1 x 90-minute feature doc, UK-based distributor and financier Rainmaker Content will represent the project in all territories.

ICS Nordic negotiated the worldwide rights with LA publisher Feral House for Glamour Ghoul: The Passions And Pain Of The Real Vampira by Maila Nurmi’s niece, Sandra Nurmi.

The in-development series and documentary will examine the life and legacy of Nurmi, television’s first ‘horror host’ and creator of The Vampira Show. Nurmi’s story offers an intriguing perspective on fame, fear and feminism.

ICS Nordic was launched by Aito Media founder Ilkka Hynninen and former YLE director Ilkka Rahkonen last year, to develop and produce scripted and documentary series aimed at global buyers. Last month, the firm hired producer Erna Aalto as partner and operations director.

Also working on Vampira is Finnish actor and writer Irina Isberg (The Secret Lives), who will help shape the project’s narrative structure and thematic development.

“We are captivated by Vampira’s life journey and the profound influence she had on pop culture. Her story is filled with grit, glamour and mystery, making it a perfect fit for our narrative style.

“We aim to shed light on the life of this iconic woman — a voice that shouted ‘me too’ decades before the rest of the world — and her enduring influence on the world of entertainment,” said Hynninen.