The Finnish Documentary Guild Presents: Short Film Gems

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Finnish Documentary Guild has compiled a selection of modern short film classics that represent the diverse spectrum of creative Finnish documentary filmmaking. The screening includes Emergency Calls, Goodbye Tornio, The Diver, Little Snow Animal and Star Shaped Scar.

The screening is organised in collaboration with the Finnish Documentary Guild. You can learn about the films below.
 
EMERGENCY CALLS
dir. Hannes Vartiainen & Pekka Veikkolainen, Finland, 2013, 15 min

The award-winning documentary, completed in 2013, uses authentic emergency call recordings. Major events and upheavals often begin in the same way: with a call to the emergency number. Questions of life and death can depend on a responder who remains calm. The short film is illustrated with abstract lights in the darkness and, in part, actors delivering the emergency center’s lines. 
Paavo Ihalainen (translated by Anni Rossi)

GOODBYE TORNIO
dir. Emilia Hernesniemi, Finland, 2021, 15 min

Final-year high school students from Tornio have their whole lives in front of them. The 2021 short film Goodbye Torni follows their graduation day. Vilma is going to move all the way to Helsinki for work and leave Lapland behind. The departure of the young woman is especially difficult for her parents but it is also affecting her close friendships. The warm-hearted film leads us through big emotions.
Paavo Ihalainen (translated by Iida-Maija Pirttiniemi)  

THE DIVER
dir. P.V. Lehtinen, Finland, 2000, 20 min 

P. V. Lehtinen’s black-and-white documentary focuses on Helge Wasenius (1927–2008), a two-time Olympian also known as a diver and stunt jumper. The internationally awarded The Diver is a tribute both to those who have leapt from the Helsinki Swimming Stadium tower and to the aesthetics of movement itself. In this short film, a dreamy and wistful atmosphere emerges from the seamless combination of movement, music, and summer memories.
Omar Fasolah (translated by Anni Rossi)

LITTLE SNOW ANIMAL
dir. Miia Tervo, Finland, 2009, 19 min

A girl lounges on a sofa, surrounded by orchids. In the background, Pekka Sauri speaks on the radio. Another girl calls Sauri’s Yölinja, says she feels like a total mess, and confesses a mistake with an older man. The girl on the sofa takes selfies. Haddaway’s What is Love? blasts through the speakers. Miia Tervo’s beautiful short film is accompanied by Ami Lindholm’s exquisite animation.
Jaana Semeri (translated by Anni Rossi)

STAR SHAPED SCAR
dir. Virva Kunttu, Vuokko Kunttu, Finland, 2018, 12 min

Jasmin Britney loves everything beautiful, shiny, and pink. Her greatest passion is expensive Louboutine heels with a height of over 15 centimeters – shoes she can never walk in. The story of the Princess of Vuosaari unfolds piece by piece in this touching short film.
Anni Rossi

In a nutshell 

What? ‘The Finnish Documentary Guild Presents: Short Film Gems’ screening 
Where? Kiasma Theatre (Mannerheiminaukio 2) 
When? Wed 4 Feb at 14:45–16:15

Tickets

Professional guests accredited to the festival must purchase a separate ticket for the screening and cannot enter the screening by simply showing their Industry Pass. A screening ticket can be purchased at the DocPoint ticket shop. The screening is also open to the public. 

Apply for DocPoint Industry accreditation here. The Industry programme is aimed at film professionals and students.

Accessibility

Kiasma is accessible. Read more about the theatre’s accessibility on Kiasma’s website.