Third Helsinki Arab Film Festival Set to Illuminate Helsinki with Four Days of Arab Cinema
Helsinki, Finland — September 9–12, 2026
The Helsinki Arab Film Festival will return to the Finnish capital from September 9 to 12, 2026, for its third edition, bringing four days of contemporary Arab cinema, cultural exchange, and international dialogue to the heart of Helsinki.
This year’s festival will feature an expanded official competition celebrating excellence across multiple categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director.
A total of 27 feature, short, and documentary films have been selected for the 2026 program from approximately 100 submissions, reflecting the breadth and diversity of contemporary Arab filmmaking. The selection brings together cinematic voices from across the Arab world, including countries in the Gulf region and North Africa.
A Festival Growing on the International Cultural Map
Mr. Azer Sawiris, President of the Helsinki Arab Film Festival, welcomed the festival’s continued development: “We are extremely happy that our festival, which began as a small idea, continues to grow steadily and is establishing itself on the map of reputable international festivals.”
This year’s program places particular emphasis on diversity, with a wide range of feature-length and short fiction films alongside documentaries. The geographic breadth of the selection further underscores the festival’s commitment to presenting audiences in Finland with a rich and varied picture of contemporary Arab cinema.
From a Small Idea to an Emerging International Festival
The Helsinki Arab Film Festival launched successfully in winter 2024, with its inaugural edition presenting films from 15 Arab countries. The Representation of the European Union in Helsinki hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of that first edition, marking an important beginning for the festival’s mission of connecting Arab cinema with audiences in Finland.
For its 2026 edition, the festival is partnering with Korjaamo Culture Factory, one of Helsinki’s prominent cultural venues and an established host for major film and cultural events in the Finnish capital.
The centrally located venue will provide audiences, filmmakers, cultural professionals, and cinema enthusiasts with convenient access to the festival’s screenings and events.
Explaining the choice of venue, Mr. Sawiris said: “The decision to choose Korjaamo came after careful consideration. Our festival is, first and foremost, a cultural festival, and we wanted the venue to reflect this vision.”
Distinguished Jury and Selection Committee
The official jury for the 2026 edition will be chaired by Dr. Hikmat Al-Baidhani, Director of the Baghdad International Film Festival.
With its growing international profile, diverse film selection, and focus on cultural exchange, the third Helsinki Arab Film Festival aims to further strengthen the presence of Arab cinema in Finland while creating a meeting point for filmmakers, audiences, and cultural communities from Finland, the Arab world, and beyond.
The third Helsinki Arab Film Festival takes place September 9–12, 2026, in Helsinki, Finland.
