Helminenis a Finnish director, screenwriter and producer. She graduated from the University of Art and Design in Helsinki. In 1993, together with Hanna Hemilän, she founded Lumifilm, a production company specializing in animated children’s films. She worked on the animated film series Urpo & Turpo (1996) and Turilas & Jara (2001); made short animated films Myyrän aarre (Mole\'s Treasure, 2001), Kukon ja kanan sauna (The Rooster and Hen Have a Sauna, 1991), Minulla on tiikeri (I have a Tiger, 1979) and documentaries Jätkät (The Lads, 1989), Pikku naisia (Little Women, 1991), Matka on pitkä (Long Way to Go, 1993), Behind the Curtains (2001). Her feature films include Kuningas jolla ei ollut sydäntä (The King Who Had No Heart, 1982), Hymypoika (1985) and Pelikaanimies (2004).