Saimaa Film Festival Program
8.–16.8. & 29.8.2026

MOST FILM SCREENINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

Changes are possible. THE PROGRAM IS BEING UPDATED. THE SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE.

The program is also gradually being added here: https://saimaafilmfestival.com/ohjelma/

We are currently adding information about the films to our website.

SAIMAA FILM FESTIVAL IS ORGANIZED WITH THE SUPPORT OF KÄRKI LEADER AND LÄNSI-SAIMAA LEADER.

SATURDAY 8.8. PREVIEW SCREENINGS

FESTIVAL CLUB 14:00-19:00

• NANCY Luciano Zito, Argentina, 75 min, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSyY4tH3rq0
• NEWBORN Alejandro Zuno, Mexico, 104 min, 2024https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o5V6QD1QrY
  

  BOGOSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL Columbia 

  • MALICIA Edward Gómez, 15 min, 2024
  • MI VICHE TODO EL DÌA / MY DAILY VICHE Juan Camilo Moreno, 26 min, 2025
  • LA MONA / HOT WAVE Laura Gutiérrez, 18 min, 2025
  • AGACHAR EL ROSTRO / LOWERING THE GAZE Camilo Medina Noy, 12 min 35 sec, 2025

TUESDAY 11.8.

FINNISH FILMMAKSERS

FESTIVAL CLUB 10:00-11:45

• OUNAS Riku Keskipoikela, 21 min 18 sec, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEod3kHEmyA
• WILD CLOUDBERRIES Carla Pekander, 19 min, 2025
  https://youtu.be/IXSO1GnnyJU
• METSÄNPEITTO / FOREST `S COVER Tero Makkonen, 10 min 43 sec, 2026
  https://vimeo.com/1200163933?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
• HYMYTYTTÖ / PETRIFIED Minna Parkkinen 10 min, 2025
• NEW DAY Olex Smith, 4 min 56 sec, 2025
• TUNNIN JUNA 2088 Henri Rantala, 2 min 30 sec, 2025
• MULLA ON IDEA Kristina Dzhanelidze, Sofiko Bidzinashvili, Oleksandr Kalinin, 6 min 8 sec, 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgEZeFqqDts
• OLISIT VAAN KUOLLUT Anttoni Lajoma,15 min 21 sec, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKIwTEc54cY
• MEAT Kai Seppänen, 7 min, 2025
• METSURI Harri Haapakangas 5 min 23 sec, 2024
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DWSphBolPU

FESTIVAL CLUB 12:00-13:30

• EN DÖD MANS GULD / DEAD MAN`S GOLD Sofia Palmén, 14 min 16 sec, 2025 Kieli: ruotsi
• KYLLÄ / YES Katja Reponen, 16 min 20 sec 2025
  youtube.com/shorts/4NEcm8mR1q4?si=zP3ym3LLyJOpbHWE
• SEUDUN PARAS PUU Petri Rautsiala, 21 min 48 sec, 2026
  https://youtu.be/N1S-Ravt9zk
• PAHA TAPA Anne Seppänen, Jaakko Kelaranta, Pyry Kuronen, 4 min 58 sec, 2024
• RIIPPUMATTO Satu-Lotta Rannisto, 25 min 44 sec, 2026

FESTIVAL CLUB 14:00-15:25

• NIRHA Riku Niemelä, 85 min (2025) 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9a949I0gqQ
  

FESTIVAL CLUB 15:45-17:20

• RUHJOTTU MIES / THE MAN UP NORTH Emilia Kovanen, 37 min, 55 sec, 2025
• VALINTA Marko Kivioja, 38 min 44 sec, 2024
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5f-kS_Wd3M
• KUULAT / BEADS Hannaleena Bensky, 12 min, 2024
• PUSKEE VEEMÄISEEN PAIKKAAN - THE BEAUTY OF AUTOMOBILES Jukka Kärkkäinen, 5 min, 34 sec, 2026

FESTIVAL CLUB 17:30-19:20

• KUINKA HIENOA MEILLÄ OLI Roope Jääskeläinen, 9 min 30 sec, 2026
  https://youtu.be/HST-9xHHfBA
• TYÖTAAKKA Aatos Äijö 25 min, 2026
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIqchthuz20
• TYÖTTÖMÄN PÄIVÄKIRJA Ilkka Ilmari Levä, 15 min 23 sec, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k194Z-JC6A
• KÖYHÄN ÄÄNI EI KUULU TAIVAASEEN Sauli Pietarinen, 56 min, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CD5tJiVe7Y

FESTIVAL CLUB 19:30-21.20

• VOUDIT Tuomo Mäntynen, 10 min 20 sec, 2025
  https://youtu.be/X9PbeXuwV-s?si=C6Ztzu_ICQijY5x3
• BIAFAN-FINNISH POSTCARD Miikka Niskanen, 6 min 27 sec, 2024
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo5gKQrNTno
• HORMONIHILJAISUUS / HORMONAL SILENCE Kerttu Mättö, 6 min 20 sec, 2026
• ⚫️⚫️⚫ Rua Najim 1h 17 min 45 sec, 2026 MAAILMANENSI-ILTA

FESTIVAL CLUB 21:30-22:30

• TAISTELU LAPINLAHDESTA Klaus Welp, 75 min, 2026
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLELSwS3I7k

FESTIVAL CLUB 22:40-00:00

• VAPAA PUHALLUS/FREE BLOWING Marko Auvinen, 47 min, 2025
• LE MUSICIEN Jussi Laherto 17 min 55 sec, 2025 Ranskankielinen mykkäelokuva
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLjO6rRnLbg
• NATURAL LOVER SPRINGS Juho Maurinen, 21 min 25 sec, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PToTJuniuk

WEDNESDAY 12.8.

FESTIVAL CLUB 10:00-11:30

THE FINNISH MEDIA ART CENTER

• LIIAN SININEN TAIVAS Risto-Pekka Blom 14 min 59 sec (2026)
  https://www.av-arkki.fi/fi/works/liian-sinininen-taivas/
• MINDFULLMESS Niina Suominen 5 min 49 sec (2026)
  https://www.av-arkki.fi/works/mindfullmess/
• DANSE DE LA TERRE Niina Vatanen, 8 min 24 sec (2025)
  https://www.av-arkki.fi/works/danse-de-la-terre/
• ROMAN CHARITY Alena Tereshko 19 min 25 sec (2026)
  https://www.av-arkki.fi/fi/works/roman-charity/

********

• LUONTOKOHTEIDEN KULTTUURIPERINNÖSTÄ VETOVOIMAA RAJASEUDUN MATKAILUUN Minna Ahlstén, 11 min 49 sec, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cACFzIkGiMs&t=664s

FESTIVAL CLUB 12:30-17:00

PROFESSIONAL EVENT (OPEN TO ALL)

PANEL DISCUSSION TIME
LECTURES
WORKSHOPS

Details TBC

FESTIVAL CLUB 18:00-20:00

• PAXTA / COTTON Rashid Malikov, Uzbekistan, 78 min (2025). THE CINEMATOGRAPHER AND LEAD ACTOR WILL BE PRESENT.

THURSDAY 13.8. 

FESTIVAL CLUB 10:00-11:30

• NORDIC NOCTURNE Olli Hietanen, Norway 31 min, 15 sec, 2024
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgRe0nEAADg
• FINLAND MINNESOTA William Besonen, USA, 33 min 44 sec, 2025
• FINTIAANIT Maria Seppälä, 28 min 36 sec, 2019 https://vimeo.com/378991013

BIO VUOKSI 13:00-15:15

• ONI-GIRL / DEMON GIRL Genki Takigawa, Japan, 120 min, 2025

FESTIVAL CLUB

ELOKUVIA 16:00-17:15
KAPINA ELÄMÄN PUOLESTA Saku Souka, 80 min, 2025
https://vimeo.com/1138878026?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

FESTIVAL CLUB

TANSSIELOKUVIA 17:00-18:30

• ODE MARITIMA / NAVAL ODE Fu Le, France, Portugal, 6 min, 2025
• YES! Madri Lääne, Estonia, 3 min, 2024, Choreo: Raido Mägi
• DAUGHTERS Sara Europaeus, Alankomaat- Suomi, 24 min, 2026, Choreo: Sara Europaeus
  https://vimeo.com/1157595787/cd7905cd58?fl=ip&fe=ec
• AVALANCHE Silja Tuovinen, Finland, 10 min, 2026, Choreo: Silja Tuovinen
• Siõrškuâđam - VAIETUT ASKELEET Laura Feodoroff, Kati Kallio, Suomi-Saamenmaa, 13 min, 2025, Choreo: Laura Feodoroff
  KESKUSTELUA

FESTIVAL CLUB 19:15-22:15

AZERBAIJANI FILMS

• VARHAISET TUNTEET / ERKEN HISSLER / EARLY FEELINGS Nurlan Hasanli, 17 min 42 sec, 2025
• A LONELY PERSON`S MONOLOGUE Emin Efendiyev, 53 min, 2024
• KÜR - ÇAYLAR ANASI / KUR - THE MOTHER OF RIVERS Seyran Mahmudoghlu, 57 min (2025)
• FROM ORION WITH LOVE Rafiq Hajiev, 40 min (2026)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahDLf1aBGDM

FESTIVAL CLUB 22:30-00:40
EXPERIMENTAL INTERNATIONAL FILMS

• TACET Nonoka Matsuo and Tomikatz, Japan, 10 min 44 sec, 2025
• WHAT STAYS Jasmina El Far, Saksa, 12 min 12 sec 2025
• KAUM TRAUM HARDLY A DREAM Herbert Hut, Saksa, 3 min 34 sec 2025
• DER KOMPANSE Erik Nurnberg and Elias Gabele, Saksa, 7min 38 sec, 2026
• ICH LIEBE DICH Raskolica, Saksa, 3 min 36 sec, 202
• IMMORTAL DOG Paul Riemann, Saksa, 4 min 3 sec 2024
• HAND OF GOD Michał Konrad, Puola, 3 min 13 sec 2026
• THESE THINGS YOU BRING UPON YOURSELF Talissa Mehringer, Saksa, 4 min 8 sec 2026
• TRENCH Piotr Walewski, Puola, 7 min 8 sec, 2024
• LEICHENWASSER Talissa Mehringer, USA, 12 min 2011
• A-Z Tatiana Moshkova, Saksa, 4 min, 2025
• IN SCALE Marina Moshkova, Saksa, 7 min 13 sec 2009
• SOAP Markus Riexinger, Saksa, 11 min 14 sec, 2016/2017
• BUBBLE GUM Shazad Madon, India, 6 min 13 sec, 2016
• SPIESSA Stefan Dittrich, Saksa, 12 min 4 sec, 2013/2014
• 5th STATE OF STAGNATION Gamid Ibadullayev, Puola, 8 min 8 sec, 2025
• DU PLOMB DANS L'AILE Angélique Vecray, Belgia, 4 min 1 sec, 2024
• SECRET STIRRINGS Marcin Burbo, Puola, 3 min, 2026

FRIDAY 14.8.

FESTIVAL CLUB 10:00-11:30

• JÜRGENS MOTIVATION Arezoo Salehi, Germany,12 min 43 sec, 2026
  https://vimeo.com/1178130677?fl=ip&fe=ec
• COLLECTING SHADOWS Iskander Guliev 25 min, Azerbaijan / Latvia, 2026 https://vimeo.com/1204257654?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci 
• THE WOMAN WHO COULDN`T MAKE DECISION Chryssa Voulgari, Germany, 19 min 59 sec, 2025 Greek with English subtitles
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj9S9d__G-A
• TV MAN Leonardo Valenti, France, 28 min, 1997
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhP-qaBfDDY

FESTIVAL CLUB 11:45-13:15

• THE FORTUNATE Ayalew Nahusenay Dereje, Ethiopia 16 min, 2025
• SILENT ESCAPE Upeksha Lankathilaka, Sri Lanka 4 min 18 sec, 2026
• BUANANOTTE, GIACOMO Kathi Hofer, Germany 4 min, 15 sec, 2026
• LISA FITTKO: RESISTANCE AND EXILE Allegra Stodolsky, Czechia, 29 min, 2025
• THIS IS A FILM AND I`M THE DIRECTOR Beate Basso, 16 min Norway, 2026, MAAILMANENSI-ILTA

FESTIVAL CLUB 14:00-17:00

• 100 SUNSET Kunsang Kyirong, Canada, 99 min, 2025, Tibetan, English 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VfrQnan-XU
• KHEL/PLAY, Gaurav Gokhale, India, 78 min 2025  https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1141296318

BIO VUOKSI 18:00-20:05

• THE STRANGER François Ozon, France, Belgium, 122 min, 2025 FINNISH PREMIERE. Ticket 7 €
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV3F2fkevCM
  More info 

HINKANRANTA 21:00-23:00

• UIMAHALLI / SWIMMING HALL Anni Suikkanen & Toni Kristian Tikkanen, 15 min 22 sec, 2025 https://vimeo.com/1151583085/fe7d762efc
• SAUNA, TAR AND ALKOHOL Marie-Louise Windrum, Germany, 19 min, 2025
• ROCKPETE GOES KALLIO BLOCK PARTY Joonatan Kaarre 23 min, 2025
• KYYNELSILMÄ - TEAREYE Jari K. Leinonen 46 min (2025)

SATURDAY 15.8.

LUSIKKOVUOREN LUOLA 13:00-15:00
Ticket 5€

• KATOAVAT KALLIOT, VUORET Pira Cousin, 16 min, 2022
• THE DEVOTIONALS Waltteri Laineenkare, 1h 39 min, 2026, Finland. 

NUIJAMIES VENUE 16:00-18:00
Ticket 5€ Buy ticket

• CHARLIE IS NOT A BOY, Pol Kurucz, USA, 13 min 2026
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImPijmp0-xY
• RULE BRITANNIA Max Fisher, UK, 12 min 2026
• OUT OF MIND Erik Ivar Saether, Norway, 12 min 2025
• NOBEL PRIZES SEASON / LA SAISON DES PRIX NOBEL Michel Cordey, Canada 26 min 5 sec, 2025
• ALPPIRUUSUJEN KEHTO Samuli Kuusisto, 12 min, 2026 WORLD PREMIERE
  https://youtu.be/7Q2o2wk3vus?si=wIRZ0TkhFZ8HBHks
  

NUIJAMIES VENUE 18:30-20.00
Ticket 5€ Buy ticket

• INHERITED SILENCE Vladimer Katcharava, Georgia 15 min 20 sec, 2025
  https://youtu.be/6V1bdxsU4Gw?si=ljinTGk7XsLXx_Cm

• FINAL STOP Abderrahim Mekkaoui, Algeria, 6 min 35 sec, 2026

JAIME GOMEZ FILMS

• MY NAME IS CARLA Spain, 6 min 23 sec, 2023
• LA LATINA Spain, 5 min 34 sec, 2021
• ON TIME Spain, 10 min 52 sec, 2020
• https://youtu.be/8J7nMHQp11M
• DESAYUNO PARA 3 / BREAKFAST FOR THREE Spain, 8 min 20 sec, 2023https://youtu.be/ozjixX_b0os?si=YVwPL0p64Md6Ggr1
• BOOMERANG Spain, 8 min 20 sec, 2018
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl3QYBxkoGE&t=1s
• REVELACIONES Columbia, 9 min 30 sec, 2017
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Vsn8P2WzI
• DE VUELTA Columbia, 12 min 44 sec, 2016
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z40Q-UmWDRI

SAIMAANHARJUN VAATERANTA 21:00-23:00

• KAPPALE KAUNEINTA SUOMEA - THE BEAUTY OF ERRORS Jukka Kärkkäinen, 94 min 2026
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzCEbD_FwlY

SUNDAY 16.8.

FESTIVAL CLUB 10:00-11:30
FILMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

• BOOM! Nadīna Anna Larionova, Latvia, 80 min 2024
  https://youtu.be/Gp6OoKajnm8
• SHIFTING Oona Tiirakari, 8 min 48 sec, 2025
  https://vimeo.com/1138089729

FESTIVAL CLUB 11:45-12.35

• SAIMAAN SYLISSÄ/EMBRACED BY THE LAKE Janna Räsänen, 46 min, 2024
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_GB29ga1qs

FESTIVAL CLUB 13:00-14.35

• BECOMING THE OTHER Beate Petersen, Norja 93 min, 2025

FESTIVAL CLUB 14:45-16.30

• THE PRINCE Sergiu Scobiola, Moldova, 104 min, 2025

FESTIVAL CLUB 16:45-18.15

• DREAMERS: PEOPLE OF LIGHT Imam Hasanov, Azerbaidzhan, 86 min, 2025
  https://youtu.be/snYj5NXYbxo

FESTIVAL CLUB 18:30-20.20

• THE KEY Paul G. Sportiello, Ranska, 108 min, 2025
  https://vimeo.com/1125112597?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

FESTIVAL CLUB 20:30-22.15

• NOBODY WANTS TO BE HERE, NOBODY WANTS TO LEAVE Cash Robinson, USA 106 min, 2025
  https://vimeo.com/1154315651

SATURDAY 29.8.

RUOKOLAHDEN TAPAHTUMA-AUKIO

21:00-23:00

• UNDER THE NORTHERN SKIES Timo Puustinen 15 min, 2025
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kAYfHKAY0Q
• IN MEMORIAM / ISLANDERS, Matleena Jänis 25 min, 2025
• KOKONAINEN / THE ENTIRETY OF HER Sini Hyvärinen, 8 min, 2026
• KAPINA ELÄMÄN PUOLESTA Saku Souka, 80 min, 2025
  https://vimeo.com/1138878026?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

 

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