Short films about feminine fantasy and horror visions, through the lenses of completely independent productions and camp sensibilities.

All of the films have been made during three-day workshops open to everyone, in Helsinki over a period of ten years, organized by Euphoria Borealis short film community. The core themes of the selected films deal with the characterization of feminist counterculture and the creation and perception of oneself for oneself.

Films and characters that remain on the cultural margins, hidden in the archives. Questions of do-it-yourself art (both for creators and audiences) about the value of flagrant excesses, good bad taste, the relationship between genuine sincerity and excessive affectation, and their starting points.

The screening’s producer, Saliva collective (Sebastian Salvation and Vita Matiyas), advocates the importance and power of low-threshold independent art-making, finding a community and shared inspiration that enable it, sometimes in unexpected places, and, as both creators and viewers to constantly reevaluate one’s own positionings.

What does it mean to deem certain films “vulgar”, especially in the context of Finnish independent cinema over the last ten years? What is the role and value of exaggerated camp sensibilities in DIY films? How does the depiction of violence, which so commonly defines mainstream cinema, function in independent films, and how can depictions of violence in feminist films differ from mainstream violence?

After the screening, three of the filmmakers, Hannaleena Hauru, Maria Solodiankina, and Sandra Lola Dada, will discuss their films, the themes of the screening, and the significance of queer-feminist independent film and its place in the Finnish cultural landscape.

The films are in English and Finnish. Dialogue and hearing impairment subtitles (CC) are in English. The discussion will be interpreted into sign language

Content warning: The films in the screening contain depictions of violence and blood.