A community behind the scenes – Volunteers make DocPoint happen 

This year’s DocPoint Documentary Film Festival gathered more volunteer applications than ever before – due to the popularity the call had to be closed earlier than planned. Altogether 124 enthusiastic volunteers aged 17–76 were chosen to work at the festival. The multitude of volunteers’ tasks ranged from ticket sales to ushering and from driving to communications. We visited the volunteers to find out what brings them to the festival.

Community-enthusiast Ruusu returns to a familiar task

Ruusu Kallioinen – ticket sales

What made you apply as a volunteer to DocPoint this year?

I have volunteered at DocPoint since 2019. I have also volunteered at the Love & Anarchy film festival and the Midnight Sun Film Festival. Usually I have worked at ticket sales, but I have also been a theatre supervisor and an usher. After several years of volunteer work I look forward to meeting familiar faces and the community that has formed at festivals, but most of all I am eager to use my free tickets to see the films of DocPoint.

Which film are you particularly excited for?

I haven’t decided my full schedule for the week, but I am at least looking forward to Mikki Noroila’s Karelian language short film Yritin šuaha hänet kuvah onnakko hiän kato.

Photo: Alejandro Ramirez

First-timer Aliisa was driven by their passion for films

Aliisa Ylikoski: Communications

What made you apply as a volunteer to DocPoint this year?

Films are an important hobby for me and I spend most of my free time watching them. I wanted to experience something new, catch a glimpse of work in the culture sector and since I only moved to the Helsinki area recently, I also wanted to meet new people. I work with marketing and communications, so the communications team appealed to me the most.

What are your tasks at the festival like?

I have done all kinds of assisting communications tasks both at the DocPoint office as well as at the theatres participating in the festival. I have, for example, translated texts, written social media posts, interviewed festival-goers and photographed material for social media.

Which films are you planning to see yourself?

Today, on the opening day of the festival, I’m planning to see the film Housewife of the Year. That is one of many films I find interesting.

Manuel is intrigued by the Finnish film scene

Manuel Díaz Tufino: Info desk

What made you apply as a volunteer to DocPoint?

I became a volunteer for the opportunity to see films, meet new people and see the vibe of the Finnish film industry. This is my first time at DocPoint, but I have volunteered once at Love & Anarchy, also at the info desk.

What is the most interesting part of your volunteer post?

The most interesting aspects of the info desk are to learn Finnish by working and interacting with people. Also, it’s interesting to be where the festival happens and experience it more deeply instead of just passing by briefly as a visitor.

Which film or films are you most looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to the film A Family, which explores very painful tensions and conflicts within a family. I’m also eager to see the film Apple Cider Vinegar since I share the filmmakers’ fascination with stones. Preemptive listening also seems really interesting, alarm sounds are a fascinating topic. Also, the amount of Q&As at Docpoint surprised me! It’s great to hear more about the film from its creator.

Photo: Giovanni-Ferri

Roberto gets energized by meeting like minded people

Roberto Puentes: Photographer

Have you volunteered before and what made you apply this year?

This is my second time volunteering at DocPoint festival. I have also volunteered at the Love & Anarchy film festival and I am actively involved in the Cinemaissí film festival that showcases Latin American film.

The community formed around film festivals motivates me to be an active part in them. Interacting with people who share similar interests gives me energy. I obviously love films and I find documentaries a very important form of film. Through them you can convey important portrayals of societies at a certain time and of people.

What is working as a photographer at DocPoint like?

I move from one theatre and event to another and try to capture the atmosphere of the festival on camera and communicate through photographs and video. I enjoy photographing and being behind the camera and observing situations. For me, photographing at Docpoint does not even feel like work – I really enjoy it. I’m always having fun; I get to see familiar faces, meet new people and to contribute to the work of the Finnish film industry.

What kind of people would you recommend working at DocPoint for?

Anyone who is interested in stories and people, and who feels like they would be able to contribute to the festival. Other factors, like age, gender or background, do not matter. That is what’s best about this.

Which films at DocPoint do you recommend?

I really enjoyed An Echo of You. It was so refreshing to see elderly people on screen and hear their stories. White House Effect was also great. It was actually almost sad to see how long climate change has been discussed, but it is important that it is continuously brought up. I am also looking forward to the film Wisdom of Happiness – having moved from Mexico to Finland I have seen two very different approaches to happiness. I would also like to recommend the 20th Cinemaissi film festival happening next autumn.

Photo: Alejandro Ramirez

Lili enjoys checking tickets and sharing the experience

Lili Eweis: Vahtimestari

Have you volunteered before and what made you apply this year?

I have meant to apply for many years, but have always missed the call. But now I’m here! I have also volunteered at other festivals before, so the work is familiar.

Which tasks are included in your volunteer post and how have you liked them?

I inspect customers’ tickets and introduce the film. We also clean the biggest trash after each screening. I really like ticket inspection: There’s something fun seeing people in a film-going-mood and being able to say “welcome, enjoy the film” to them.

What is the best thing about volunteering?

I like being able to get to know the industry and movie theatres this way. The reward of getting to see films is also great – it’s really worth it. I also love meeting people who share similar interests. And all the customers who come to the screenings, we share something together at that moment.

Which film are you most looking forward to?

I am most excited for the film I’m Not Everything I Want to Be. I also saw Lesvia, it was really good.

Photo: Elsa Meklin

First-timer Gisela volunteered for her interest in films

Have you volunteered before and what made you apply this year?

This is my first time ever volunteering at any film festival. This is a nice place to start and I gain useful experience. I am interested in films and thought that this would be a nice experience.

Which tasks are included in your volunteer post and how have you liked them?

The major task is the ticket inspection, and introducing the move to the audience. So far I have liked it a lot, it is really fun. It has been nice to meet people and everyone has been in a good mood.

Which film are you most looking forward to?

I am most excited for the films Two Forests and I’m Not Everything I Want to Be.

Volunteers Are a Vital Part of DocPoint

The volunteers at DocPoint are the heart of the festival, and their contribution is invaluable to its success. Volunteers not only take care of practical arrangements but also bring joy, a sense of community, and enthusiasm. The festival’s executive director, Johanna Råman, emphasizes the importance of volunteer work for DocPoint and its audience:

“Volunteers play an absolutely vital role in making DocPoint happen. Without them, none of this would be possible. In uncertain times, people long for meaningful encounters. It’s fantastic if our festival can be a unifying and community-building experience for our volunteers from diverse backgrounds.”

Volunteers bring a wide range of skills to the festival, some of which the organizers could never have anticipated, making their contributions even more valuable. Different backgrounds and experiences enrich the event in many ways:

“It’s amazing how volunteers bring in expertise that we didn’t even expect. DocPoint volunteers have very diverse backgrounds and skills. The best part is when we can match these skills with the right tasks, allowing volunteers to gain meaningful experience. It’s also wonderful to hear that volunteers have met each other through their work and made new friends along the way,” says Riikka Haapanen, volunteer coordinator and former volunteer.

If this year’s DocPoint inspired you to volunteer, now is the perfect time to follow the festival’s channels! Next year’s volunteer application process will open at the end of the year, and the first to hear about it will be those following DocPoint’s social media and subscribing to the newsletter. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a unique festival community!

Photo: Roberto Puentes

Noora Järnefelt, Aliisa Ylikoski, Elsa Meklin, Moritz Müller, Irina Hasala, Viima Nurmi

Cover Photo: Alejandro Ramirez