The Karhupuisto hoods are buzzing as the culture bear awakens from its winter sleep. The upcoming summer will culminate again in September, when it's time to gather to celebrate urban culture and films and enjoy the festival atmosphere in Karhupuisto.

The highly acclaimed Karhupuisto Film Festival, which attracted over 7,500 visitors, will return in the second week of September, from 7 to 13 September. Once again, there will be open-air screenings and new international top films shown in several different venues. The program, currently in curation, will be complemented by various performances, discussions, and clubs.

Behind the Karhupuisto Film Festival, held for the first time last autumn, are the cultural quartet Deniz Kaya, Mete Sasioglu, Onerva Helne, and Aleksi Kinnunen, residents of Karhupuisto, as well as Sons of Lumière and Pop Up Kino Helsinki. Friends of the festival included Teatteri Sirkus Suosalo, Kallio Library, Kallio Parish, Kallio Summer Streets -project and many other local businesses. The festival was made possible by a team of volunteers - applications for this autumn's event are now open.

Become a partner for the 2026 festival?
Send an email to: deniz@sonsoflumiere.com and let's arrange a meeting.

Suggest a film or other program for the 2026 festival?
Send an email to: mete.sasioglu@sonsoflumiere.com