February’s picks from the Institute feature a healthy dose of cinema and a pinch of poetry for good measure.
Ninni’s pick: DocPoint festival
My favourite film festival is taking place online. I’m especially looking forward to Mia Halme’s film People We Come Across, which follows a group of Finnish volunteers who come to a small village in Benin to participate in clinical trials of a diarrhoea vaccine. I personally know some people who have taken part in these “diarrhoea trips” and the whole setting sounds delicious for a documentary.
DocPoint, 29.1.–7.2. Click here for tickets and information. (NB the films are only viewable in Finland, but Q&As and webinars are viewable everywhere)
Iina’s pick: Women’s Cine Circle Film Festival
A day full to the brim of exciting activities for film enthusiasts. This February, join the annual Women’s Cine Circle Festival. Over the course of the day, you’ll be invited to take part in events like panel discussions, screenings, webinars, workshops and networking. What could be more current to this moment in history than discussing womens’ roles in video art, and how this influences gender equality in the modern film industry with the famous film critic Fiaba di Martino. Best of all, this event is completely free.
Women’s Cine Circle Film Festival, 6.2. Tickets and more information here.
Jaakko’s pick: Young People’s Laureate for London
Amanda Gorman’s powerful reading at Joe Biden’s inauguration showed again how impressive spoken word poetry can be. Inspired by her, I set out to explore new voices in British poetry. Spread The Word provides support for young writers in London, and they also award the title of Young People’s Laureate in London, which is held by Celia Knapp this year. Celia’s poems can be found here.
Volter’s pick: Glasgow Film Festival
Fortunately, Glasgow Film Festival is still going ahead this year. The team behind GFF have done an exemplary job of translating the festival into an impressive and accessible online programme. I’m especially looking forward to the UK premiere of Minari and the fascinating selection of documentaries on offer. The programme also includes two standout Finnish films from the past year: BIG vs SMALL and The Last Ones.
Glasgow Film Festival, 24.2.-7.3., for more info and tickets click here.
