Shorts Competition 1: Light and Shadow

Fragmental Studies of a Night
dir. Anni Tiainen & Teresia Fant, Finland, Norway 2024, 12 min
What does the darkness of the night hide in its embrace? Fragmental Studies of a Night introduces seven scientists from different fields and follows them working at nighttime. Research in the darkness requires sharpening of all the senses and patience to observe. Through glimpses illuminated by headlights and the moon, the nocturnal life appears rich and mysterious.
Sabriina Hietaniemi

Ocean Blvd
dir. Jade Kallio, Finland 2024, 18 min
Named after the Lana Del Rey song, Ocean Blvd examines the safety of spaces and architecture from a transgender perspective. Through a trans lens, the purported apoliticality of familiar spaces like public bathrooms or the forest is challenged. Material spaces sometimes melt into settings for dream sequences in the narrative that effortlessly combines elements of fiction and documentary.
Aleksi Julkunen (translated by Adrian Murtomäki)

Petrified
dir. Minna Parkkinen, Finland 2025, 10 min
In this wordless short documentary by Minna Parkkinen, beautiful wintry pictures hide a dark story about past traumas and sexual violence against children. The trophy given to the most well-behaved kids in the class becomes a symbol of something sinister. Emotions that are difficult to put into words are instead presented through a hummed melody while snow and ice make way for flowing water.
Inari Ylinen (translated by Mira Sairanen)

When Will the Day Break
dir. Sanna Liljander, Finland 2024, 6 min
In this dreamlike cinematic elegy, loving hands reach beyond the planes of time and reality, to a time where unconditional love still burns, before one half of a relationship suffers a stroke. When Will the Day Break utilises both dash-cam footage and tactile film photography and wistfully explores the realities of love after memory loss. 
Aleksi Julkunen (translated by Sofia Lanki)

Bright White Light
dir. Henna Välkky & Eesu Lehtola, Finland 2024, 13 min
What happens to us after death? Bright White Light examines the space between life and death through liminal experiences. This dream-like short film captivates the viewer with the authentic stories of near-death experience survivors and supporting hypnotic animation. Despite its topic, the film brings solace – and perhaps manages to assuage some of the fear surrounding its stigmatised topic.
Vilma-Lotta Mustonen (translated by Adrian Murtomäki)

Directors Henna Välkky, Sanna Liljander, Minna Parkkinen, Eesu Lehtola, and Jade Kallio will attend the screening on 7 February.

Content warning: childhood sexual abuse