Press Release
Imatra, 21 May 2026
Saimaa Film Festival Returns in August 2026
The international Saimaa Film Festival will return in August 2026, bringing screenings and events to Imatra, Lappeenranta, Luumäki, Ruokolahti and Taipalsaari.
As in previous years, the festival will also extend beyond city centers to unique historical and natural locations. Screenings and events will take place along the shores of the Vuoksi River and Lake Saimaa, in historic fortresses and even inside a cave. Through this approach, the festival seeks to create new connections between cinema, international collaboration, tourism and regional development. Saimaa Film Festival aims to establish South Karelia as an international meeting place where film, culture, nature and local identity come together to inspire dialogue and generate new ideas.
The festival’s Artistic Director, Kamran Shahmardan, is curating a program that will include international films, panel discussions, professional seminars, and outdoor screenings. The full program will be announced in June 2026.
This year’s festival is expected to feature more than 130 films from approximately 30 countries. Screenings will take place from 11 to 16 August, with an additional festival day on 29 August 2026.
Professional industry events will be held in Imatra on 12 and 13 August.
Saimaa Film Festival also serves as a platform for discussing the future of South Karelia. The festival’s seminars and networking events will bring together international film professionals, critics, students, cultural practitioners and guests from Azerbaijan, Spain, Georgia, Sweden, Germany, Uzbekistan, Estonia and Finland. A special guest of the festival will be Estonian film editor and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Tambet Tasuja.
Professional Seminars: 12-13 August
The professional seminars will explore a range of topics, including:
- How film festivals can strengthen South Karelia’s international visibility
- The opportunities South Karelia offers for international film and television productions
- The role of film and other creative industries in supporting tourism and regional vitality
- Building new European networks and international partnerships
Special Screening Event at LUT University
On 29 May 2026, from 18:00 to 23:00, Saimaa Film Festival will present eight films from its 2025 program as a guest of the student union at LUT University.
Venue:
Auditorium 1316
LUT University
Yliopistonkatu 34
53850 Lappeenranta
Preview of Selected Films
From Uzbekistan, the festival will present COTTON (78 min), directed by Rashid Malikov. The film’s lead actress, Khurshida Arabshoyeva and Ukrainian cinematographer Boris Litovchenko will attend the festival.
The program from Azerbaijan will include three to four films, one of which is LONELY PERSON'S MONOLOGUE (53 min), directed by Emin Efendiyev.
The festival will also host the world premiere of Alppiruusujen kehto (The Cradle of Rhododendrons), a 12-minute film directed by Samuli Kuusisto.
In addition, the program will feature two films about Finnish Americans:
- Finland, Minnesota: History, Tradition, Legacy (33 min 44 sec), directed by William Besonen from Minneapolis, USA
- Fintiaanit (28 min 36 sec), directed by Maria Seppänen
The program will also include dance films and a selection of Spanish-language films.
Detailed schedules, screening locations, and the complete festival program will be released in June 2026.
Bringing International Attention to South Karelia
Saimaa Film Festival seeks to strengthen South Karelia’s international profile and attract new visitors, partners, and cultural tourists to the region. Organizers expect attendance to range from 2,000 to 3,000 visitors.
The festival team believes that the Lake Saimaa region has significant potential to become an internationally recognized destination for film, culture, and creative industries. By combining high-quality cinema with regional development, international cooperation and unique local environments, the festival aims to contribute to the long-term visibility and vitality of South Karelia.
More Information
Festival Website:
Saimaa Film Festival
LUT University Screening Event:
LUT University Film Screenings (29 May 2026)
Facebook:
Saimaa Film Festival Facebook Page
Instagram:
Saimaa Film Festival Instagram Page