DocPoint \u2013 Helsinki Documentary Film Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. The anniversary edition will take place from 3\u20138 February 2026, once again bringing the most topical documentary films to the silver screen. DocPoint will once again feature three competition categories: the International Competition, the National Competition and the National Short Film Competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The International Competition will present ten films, while eight films have been selected for the National Competition. In addition, nineteen films will compete in the National Short Film Competition. One of the films in the National Competition, Days of Wonder<\/em> directed by Karin Pennanen<\/strong>, has been selected as the festival\u2019s opening film. The work is a personal portrayal of the director\u2019s reclusive uncle, whose home revealed an extraordinary artistic life\u2019s work after his death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The National and International Competitions have been part of DocPoint\u2019s programme since 2021. The competitions feature works that represent the full breadth of documentary cinema as an art form and that are bold and distinctive in their approach. The winners will be selected by professional juries and announced at the festival\u2019s awards gala on Saturday, 7 February 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DocPoint\u2019s Artistic Director Inka Acht\u00e9<\/strong> comments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDocumentary cinema is needed in these times of crisis more urgently than ever. DocPoint\u2019s competitions respond to the surrounding world in many different ways; the selection includes multi-layered portrayals of individuals, collectively created films in which the personal intertwines with the political, as well as works in which history is \u2018rewritten\u2019 by re-editing old archival material. What the competition films share is the way they reveal humanity behind data and news reports, keep political and moral imagination alive, and help us read between the lines.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n NATIONAL COMPETITION FILMS<\/strong> Christopher Petit<\/strong> and Emma Matthews\u2019<\/strong> D Is for Distance<\/em> examines the meanings of distance and closeness on both emotional and geographical levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sinna Virtanen\u2019s<\/strong> Etna<\/em> is a poetic documentary about intergenerational trauma, in which a volcano transforms from a metaphor for suppressed emotions into a living agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ann-Mari Leinonen<\/strong> and Einari Paakkanen\u2019s<\/strong> The Invisible Enemy<\/em> follows two Finnish volunteer soldiers who fought in Ukraine as they undergo trauma therapy in order to find their way back to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Karin Pennanen\u2019s <\/strong>Days of Wonder<\/em> is an intimate portrait of a long-overlooked Finnish artist and his life\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jenni Kivist\u00f6<\/strong> and Jussi Rastas\u2019<\/strong> Silent Legacy<\/em> tells the story of Sibiri, a contemporary dancer living in Finland, and his identity process between two realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tonislav Hristov\u2019s<\/strong> Truth or Dare<\/em> follows, ahead of the Bulgarian elections, a journalist investigating disinformation and an engineer who spreads conservative conspiracy theories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mohamed El Aboudi\u2019s<\/strong> The Last Chapter<\/em> examines the reflections of ageing first-generation immigrants on identity, belonging, love and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Panu Suuronen\u2019s<\/strong> In Full Agreement<\/em> explores how the war in Ukraine has reshaped the identity and sense of belonging of Russian-speaking Finns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n National Competition Jury: Ten documentary films have been selected for the International Competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n D\u00e9ni Oumar Pitsaev\u2019s<\/strong> Imago<\/em> follows a return to one\u2019s roots in the Caucasus, where the dream of a house in the forest reveals wounded family relationships and layered identities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lana Daher\u2019s<\/strong> Do You Love Me?<\/em> is a love letter to Beirut and its history, composed from archival material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aboozar Amini\u2019s <\/strong>Kabul, Between Prayers<\/em> follows a young man navigating Taliban ideology, family expectations and everyday life in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Khartoum<\/em>, directed by Anas Saeed<\/strong>, Rawia Alhag<\/strong>, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad<\/strong>, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed<\/strong> and Phil Cox<\/strong>, portrays the everyday reality and resilience of Sudanese people living amid war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Misha Vallejo\u2019s<\/strong> Light Memories<\/em> is a personal journey into intergenerational trauma and hidden family secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robin Petr\u00e9\u2019s<\/strong> Only on Earth<\/em> examines the tension between humans and nature in the age of the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brittany Shyne\u2019s<\/strong> Seeds<\/em> depicts the lives of African American farmers in the United States during a historical transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hemen Khaledi\u2019s<\/strong> Singing Wings<\/em> portrays a Kurdish woman\u2019s relationship with an injured stork, paralleling the emotions sparked by her daughter\u2019s plans to move away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yrsa Roca Fannberg\u2019s<\/strong> film-shot The Ground Beneath Our Feet<\/em> observes the small daily wonders in the life of care home residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nils Toftenow<\/strong>, Mathias Rosberg<\/strong> and Olle Toftenow\u2019s<\/strong> Zlatan\u2019s Nose<\/em> blends true crime, comedy and filmmaking in the mystery of the missing nose of a Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107 statue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International Competition Jury:<\/strong> Nineteen films have been selected for the National Short Film Competition, screened across three different programmes. The films explore themes such as urban environments, the relationship between humans and nature, layered memory and experiences shaped by times of crisis. The selection also features experimental works that make use of archival materials, animation and fiction. The programme reflects current uncertainties, but also everyday humour and hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n National Short Film Competition Jury:<\/strong> The full festival programme will be announced on 8 January 2026, and individual screening tickets will go on sale on 13 January 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Festival passes will be available from 10 December 2025, with Early Bird prices valid until 29 December 2025: Christopher Petit, Emma Matthews: <\/strong>D Is for Distance<\/em> Lana Daher: <\/strong>Do You Love Me<\/em> Anni Tiainen, Teresia Fant:<\/strong> 20 Metres from Russia<\/em> DocPoint \u2013 Helsinki Documentary Film Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. The anniversary edition will take place from 3\u20138 February 2026, once again bringing the most topical documentary films to the silver screen. DocPoint will once again feature three competition categories: the International Competition, the National Competition and the National Short Film Competition. 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Eight feature-length documentaries have been selected for the National Competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Darko Nabakov<\/strong> (MakeDox), Jasmina Vignjevic<\/strong>, Murtada Elfadl<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nINTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FILMS<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Ali Khechen <\/strong>(Doha Film Institute), Chico Pereira<\/strong>, Enik\u0151 Gyuresk\u00f3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Amani Al-mehsen, Antti Lempi\u00e4inen, Dario Oliveira<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFESTIVAL PROGRAMME AND TICKET SALES<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 5 tickets for \u20ac58 \/ concessions \u20ac42,5
\u2013 10 tickets for \u20ac105 \/ concessions \u20ac80<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNATIONAL COMPETITION \u2013 FULL LIST<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/em><\/strong>Sinna Virtanen: <\/strong>Etna<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Panu Suuronen: <\/strong>In Full Agreement<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Einari Paakkanen, Ann-Mari Leinonen: <\/strong>The Invisible Enemy<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Karin Pennanen: <\/strong>Days of Wonder<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Jenni Kivist\u00f6, Jussi Rastas: <\/strong>Silent Legacy<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Tonislav Hristov: <\/strong>Truth or Dare<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Mohamed El Aboudi: <\/strong>The Last Chapter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nINTERNATIONAL COMPETITION \u2013 FULL LIST<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/em><\/strong>Deni Oumar Pitsaev: <\/strong>Imago<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Aboozar Amini: <\/strong>Kabul, Between Prayers<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, Phil Cox: <\/strong>Khartoum<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong> Misha Vallejo: <\/strong>Light Memories<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong> Robin Petr\u00e9: <\/strong>Only on Earth<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong> Brittany Shyne: <\/strong>Seeds<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong> Hemen Khaledi: <\/strong>Singing Wings<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong> Yrsa Roca Fannberg: <\/strong>The Ground Beneath Our Feet<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong> Nils Toftenow, Mathias Rosberg, Olle Toftenow: <\/strong>Zlatan\u2019s Nose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION \u2013 FULL LIST<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/em><\/strong>Eero Tammi: <\/strong>The Ghost Feel Hour<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Jani Peltonen: <\/strong>Equal Dust<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Martta Tuomaala: <\/strong>Am I Calling You at a Bad Time?<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Heta Kuchka: <\/strong>Homesick<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Heidi Tirri: <\/strong>Human Machine<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Joel Karppanen: <\/strong>John 9:25<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Moona Pennanen: <\/strong>All the Light That Remains<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Miia Autio: <\/strong>Letter 1 \/ AIR<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Juice Huhtala:<\/strong> Lonely Rider<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Emilia Hernesniemi: <\/strong>The Monster<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Pilvi Takala: <\/strong>Feeling Defensive (Part 1)<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>P.V. Lehtinen: <\/strong>Simo Was Here<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Niina Suominen: <\/strong>Smoking Spot<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Paola Fernanda: <\/strong>Diving Wombs<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Anni Sairio, Joonatan Turkki:<\/strong> Speeding, of Course<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Risto-Pekka Blom:<\/strong> Invasive Species<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Marja Viitahuhta, \u00c1nn\u00e1m\u00e1ret, Turkka Inkil\u00e4, Ilkka Heinonen: <\/strong>Vuoi\u014b\u014bat<\/em>
<\/em><\/strong>Ewa G\u00f3rzna, Katarzyna Miron: <\/strong>Watchful<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"