Helsinki Arab Film Festival to Launch First Edition on December 12

The inaugural Helsinki Arab Film Festival (HelAFF) will be held from December 12-16 in Helsinki, Finland.

The grand opening will take place at the Europe Hall at the EU Representation in Finland in “Kampintori”.

The festival will open and close with major ceremonies and feature special film screenings and cultural performances.

The screenings are free to access and are hosted at the Kinopori Centre’s movie theatre, as part of the City of Helsinki’s sponsorship of HelAFF.

The HelAFF introduces Finnish audiences to Arab cinema and its rich cultural heritage and promotes dialogue and understanding between cultures in a rapidly changing society.

It will include a variety of events and activities, including film screenings and premieres of feature films representing different genres and themes.

“In recent decades, Europe – and Finland as a part of it – has witnessed a large influx of immigrants from the Middle East, which has enriched the process of cultural and societal interaction in Finland,” said Azer Sawiris, HelAFF President and head the 1001 Steps organization.

Azer Sawiris

“This interaction has provided an opportunity to increase curiosity and engagement with diverse cultures, which is what HelAFF seeks to promote through cinema as a powerful communication tool,” he added.

"The HelAFF Festival aspires to highlight the diversity and creativity of Arab directors through an intense visual display that addresses emotions and tells poignant stories,”.

“It will provide a platform for Arab filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with a wider audience,” said Amir Khatib, co-founder of HelAFF and head European Union Migrant Artists'Network (EU-MAN).

“In our first edition, we will only award certificates of appreciation to films selected for screening, honoring the talents and contributions of the participating directors," he added.

The festival management plans to present awards in future editions.

“In this festival, we ultimately seek to promote tolerance and diversity through cinema. Film is a universal language that creates mutual understanding," noted Khatib.

HelAFF is a joint project between organizations 1001 Steps, the European Union Migrant Artists'Network, the Shaam Association, the Syrian-Finnish Friendship Society (all located in Finland), and the Masar Foundation for Culture & Arts in Egypt.

The inaugural edition is held in partnership with a number of cultural organizations, companies, institutions, and accredited Arab embassies in Finland to enhance its impact and reach.