National Competition 9: Shorts

A varied selection of short films from our national competition. Films about standing out and going against expectations.

Language: Fin, Eng Duration: 96 min Age Limit: 12+

  • Mies seisoo kävelykepin kanssa lavastemaisessa odotusaulassa.

    How to Please

    Director: Elina Talvensaari
    Country: Finland
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Documentary
    Duration: 28 min
    Age Limit:

    Wed fled the war in Iraq after he was pressured to join local militias. Life in Finland begins well, but negative decisions by the Finnish Migration Service become big obstacles. He is prohibited to work, study or receive healthcare. Wed cannot go back to Iraq; his only option is to stay in Finland in an existential limbo.

  • Piirretty nunnakuoro laulaa lukuunottamatta keskellä seisovaa nunnaa, joka katselee ympärilleen posket punaisina.

    Nun or Never!

    Director: Heta Jäälinoja
    Country: Finland
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Animation
    Duration: 11 min
    Age Limit:

    The nuns live in the monastery in contentment and harmony, fused together. One of the nuns finds a man underground while digging potatoes. The nun begins to dream of a man, goes mad and loses a common rhythm with others.
    NOTE! Not available to watch on Festhome TV.

  • Naisen takaa tämän olan yli otettu kuva. Naisen edessä on telineessä puhelin, jonka sammuneen näytön heijastuksessa nainen katsoo kuvaajaan.

    A Beauty Odyssey

    Director: Rosaliina Paavilainen
    Country: Finland
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Experimental, Documentary
    Duration: 14 min

    The life of the main character goes off the rails when she realizes that she is being rewarded for her youth and beauty in ways that exceed her other achievements. While trying to find a time machine for her life, she drifts deeper into patriarchal beauty rituals, building her identity and happiness on her appearance.

  • Pöydällä on herkkukattaus, ja kermakakun päälle on koristeltu nimi "Urpolle".

    Ei nimi miestä pahenna

    Every Tom, Dick and Urpo
    Director: Karoliina Gröndahl
    Country: Finland
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Documentary
    Duration: 17 min

    A letter received by the Finnish National Radio’s phone-in program hopes that in this era of Metoo and other well-meaning campaigns, attention would also be drawn to the use of the name Urpo as a synonym for idiot. In this warm and humorous documentary, four men all called Urpo gather to reflect on the meaning and impact of their name in their lives.

  • Hahmo seisoo ison hiekkakasan päällä vieressään kaivinkone, joka on nostanut kauhansa hahmon päälle.

    Excavation

    Kaivaukset
    Director: Ella Posti
    Country: Finland
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Experimental, Fiction
    Duration: 7 min

    Excavation – a short dance film featuring dancer Ella Posti and an excavator in a duet. This piece delves into the relationship between the human body and the machine, showcasing how both can simultaneously embody immense power and delicate sensitivity.

  • Nainen seisoo kädet puuskassa vakava ilme kasvoillaan.

    Murtuma

    Prelude
    Director: Arman Zafari
    Country: Finland
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Fiction
    Duration: 19 min

    Helena is spending an evening with her family when someone knocks on the door. Unknown man confronts Helena with accusations towards her perfect family. Helena drives the man and the accusations away. But the seed of doubt has been planted.