Aki Kaurismäki Becomes Patron of the Saimaa Film Festival!

Photo: Anssi Lauri.

The Black and White Theatre Association will organize the very first Saimaa Film Festival from August 22 to 24, 2025. The event is being carried out in cooperation with the Saimaa Geopark, which holds UNESCO Global Geopark status. Significant support obtained through Etelä-Karjalan Kärki Leader and Leader Länsi-Saimaa will make it possible to realize the festival on a larger scale in 2025 and 2026.

We are delighted to announce that Aki Kaurismäki has agreed to become the patron of the Saimaa Film Festival. A new film event needs a legendary figure to gain visibility.
As the idea for the Saimaa Film Festival was born in Imatra, this year’s opening ceremony and main event will also be held in the same city. For this reason, Aki Kaurismäki’s message to Imatra is: “Without Imatra, we wouldn’t have strength, and film is the most important of the arts.”
In addition to Imatra, festival events in 2025 will also take place in Lappeenranta, Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi, and Luumäki. Screenings will be held in historical and scenic locations around the Vuoksi River area and along the shores of Lake Saimaa. Exact venues will be confirmed in May.

We have also launched the festival’s official website: www.saimaafilmfestival.com. The website will continue to be developed further.

We have opened a call for filmmakers. If you are interested in having your film screened at the festival, please send us your proposal no later than April 30, 2025. Instructions can be found on our website.
Saimaa Film Festival will offer a diverse program of film screenings, lectures, and side events, taking place in various natural and cultural settings throughout South Karelia. The aim of the festival is to promote South Karelia’s visibility both nationally and internationally, strengthen the region’s vitality, and attract visitors from near and far.
The festival’s Artistic Director, Kamran Shahmardan, is curating an impressive international program, which will be announced by early June.

In addition, well-known film industry professionals from Finland and abroad will be arriving in South Karelia.
The Saimaa Film Festival aims to boost regional vitality by attracting tourists and engaging local residents. For its first edition, the festival expects an audience of 3,000–4,000 visitors.

Festival website: www.saimaafilmfestival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaimaaFilmFestival
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saimaafilmfestival/

For more information: saimaafilmfestival (at) gmail.com

News on YLE’s website: https://yle.fi/a/74-20155368