French Film Day at the Karhupuisto Film Festival
The French Institute and the Karhupuisto Film Festival have teamed up—join us for a celebration of French cinema and culture!
The much-anticipated Karhupuisto Film Festival, which attracted more than 7,500 visitors last year, returns to Helsinki in September 2026. This year, festivalgoers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in French cinema and culture during a special French Day on 8 September 2026.
Created in collaboration between the French Institute and Karhupuisto Film Festival, the highlight of this themed day is the new French feature film La Gradiva (2026). Directed by Marine Atlan, the film follows a small group of high school students on a class trip to the ruins of Pompeii, where their journey gradually takes on increasingly strange shades of passion, hatred, and despair.
In addition to La Gradiva, the programme will feature another French feature film as well as a selection of short films. Beyond the screenings, visitors can also enjoy French music throughout the day.
As urban life is the central theme of this year’s Karhupuisto Film Festival, the films presented during French Day will also explore themes of urban living, creativity, and contemporary culture.
The full programme and screening locations will be announced soon, so save the date in your calendar and join us for one of the year’s most anticipated film events!