Nordic Frames: Mothers' Figures - Lapinlahti Film Festival 2026

Motherly figures taking shape, figuring out ways to act as elders. Full of love, pain and laughter, this is a homage to mother figures from all walks of life.

Short films:

1. Family, Sweden
2. Baby Blues, Norway
3. Without Kelly, Sweden
4. A Part Unwritten, Finland
5. SON, Sweden
6. Overtime, Finland

The short films are followed by a 30 minute Q&A session.

All short films have english subtitles.

Lapinlahti Film Festival's Nordic Frames program brings new short films from all over the Nordics to Helsinki.

Maximum of two tickets per booking. Do not make multiple bookings for the same show. If you book a ticket but later encounter an obstacle, cancel the ticket well in advance using the link included in the email.

Family

Project title (Original Language): Familj
Country: Sweden
Year: 2025
Duration: 14 min
Director: Clara Vida
Age limit: 12

Synopsis: A man living in a caravan, a woman in social services, and a boy without kidneys. Three fragmented individuals, once a unit, reunite in a beautiful, melancholic, and raw confrontation with a family that no longer exists.

Baby Blues

Project title (Original Language): -
Country: Norway
Year: 2025
Duration: 10 min
Director: Helen Komini Knudsen
Age limit: S

Synopsis: Baby Blues follows the sleep-deprived, frazzled new mom, MARTE (33), as she embarks on her very first walk alone with her newborn, ASTRID (3 weeks). The goal seems simple enough—a latte at a café and to feel normal for a brief moment. But along the way, small and large incidents and sounds turn into potential threats that she must avoid to keep the baby asleep. Throughout the walk, Marte's constant inner voice is heard, giving us a vulnerable glimpse into the mental state of a postpartum woman.

Without Kelly

Project title (Original Language): -
Country: Sweden
Year: 2025
Duration: 15 min
Director: Lovisa Sirén
Age limit: 16

Synopsis: Forced to leave her baby daughter with the child’s father, young mother Esther is caught in desperation and longing. Through the night she chases touch and comfort, seeking ways to hold on to who she loves the most.

A Part Unwritten

Project title (Original Language): Vuorosanat
Country: Finland
Year: 2025
Duration: 18 min
Director: Arman Zafari
Age limit: 7

Synopsis: Niina, a struggling drama teacher, receives an unusual request from her boss: to deliver a eulogy at his father’s funeral in his place. Desperate for an opportunity to perform, she finds herself considering the absurd proposition.

SON

Project title (Original Language): -
Country: Sweden
Year: 2025
Duration: 13 min
Director: Leona Cauklija
Age limit: 12

Synopsis: A mother sees her homeless son's tags wherever she goes. She interprets his signatures as signals to her and wants to respond. She starts writing SON under his tags. One day, she suddenly gets a reply. Under SON it now says Hello mom.

Overtime

Project title (Original Language): -
Country: Finland
Year: 2025
Duration: 11 min
Director: Siiri Halko
Age limit: 12

Synopsis: Finland prospers, but with a strict rule: citizens must leave at 70. Annastiina Kankaanrinta, a once-powerful politician, played a key role in creating the Lex 70 law, believing it would solve economic and environmental challenges. Now at her own 70th birthday, she must face her own exitus, a state-approved farewell, celebrated with elegance and precision.

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Auditorium

The auditorium is dark and air-conditioned, so it can feel quite cool. Please bring warm clothing, hearing protection if needed, and stay hydrated – a reusable water bottle is an excellent companion.

Please note that the use of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is prohibited inside the auditorium and throughout the festival area.

Please be kind to yourself and to those around you. Thank you!