National Shorts Competition 2: Side by Side

The films Lonely Rider, Watchful, Speeding, of Course, Homesick, Invasive Species, 20 Meters from Russia and Letter 1 / AIR examine various parallel lives, all the way from a skate park to Finland’s eastern border.

LONELY RIDER

dir. Juice Huhtala, Finland, 2025, 11 min

Juice Huhtala, an ex-skating videographer reminisces about his past. His son, Mauri is just
getting into scootering, but isn’t really able to connect with other young scootering
enthusiasts. While Juice and Mauri might have differing struggles within their hobbies, they
both share a connection through making laid back skating-scootering videos together.

Otso Pänttönen

WATCHFUL

dir. Ewa Górzna & Katarzyna Miron, Finland, 2025, 13 min

Ewa Górzna and Katarzyna Miron’s film challenges the conventions of looking. Humans, with their cameras and binoculars, are being surveyed by many non-human eyes. 

The film shows its non-human protagonists observing their surroundings – sometimes curious or indifferent, often watchful and wary. The expressive soundscape draws attention to the power of framing. What’s left outside the picture?

Maija Karakoski

SPEEDING, OF COURSE

dir. Anni Sairio, Joonatan Turkki, Finland, 2025, 4 min 

On the familiar 300-meter bicycle ride, every meter is important and we get to experience, according to Timo, “specific frequencies of enjoyment.” The tight turns and downhill guarantee the enchantment of speed. After flying over the edge into the snow, the atmosphere is so good that everything is desired to be done all over again. 

With collage animation and a rapid audio landscape combined, Timo’s joyous story convinces one how meaningful quick and silly experiences can be.

Mervi Herranen (translated by Tara Tuchyner)

HOMESICK

dir. Heta Kuchka, Finland, 2025, 32 min

Finnish-American artist Heta Kuchka’s wistful depiction of her late father’s home region unfolds in a mountainous landscape, where the small town of Brewick is fading away together with its ageing population. Old houses, grassy yards and vast lakes intertwine with storytelling. The soundtrack features country music, chirping crickets and melancholy singing.

Joonatan Nikkinen (translated by Siiri Kostamovaara)

INVASIVE SPECIES

dir. Risto-Pekka Blom, 2025, Finland, 6 min 

A harmful invasive species is the greatest threat to biodiversity. The biggest danger is the destruction of habitats and their transformation into wastelands. Risto-Pekka Blom’s short film portrays the deeds of an invasive species from the species’ own perspective. Blom’s trademark blend of stark honesty and dark humour both shakes and amuses. Who, after all, is the worst invasive species of them all? 

Heta Heikkala

20 METERS FROM RUSSIA

dir. Anni Tiainen & Teresia Fant, 2025, Finland, 9 min

The border between Finland and Russia has been closed since 2024, when Russia began to direct large amounts of asylum seekers to the border. This short film, shot in the border town of Imatra, gives the local population a chance to express their thoughts about the closing and its consequences. People’s reactions range from uncertainty and fear caused by the war to concerns about the decline of local livelihoods and families being torn apart.

Viktoria Murskaja (translated by Herman Tikkanen)

LETTER 1 / AIR

dir. Miia Autio, 2024, Finland & Benin, 15 min 

The essayistic film is based on a correspondence between Finnish Miia Autio and Beninese Koffi Robert Djossou. Through the exchange, Autio seeks to understand Vodun and its invisible world.

With Autio’s background in photography, the film meditates on light in its many forms and meanings. In Djossou’s words: “Those who are connected with the light can see beyond the pictures.”

Maija Karakoski

Filmmakers will attend the screening on 5 Feb.