Check This Out: The Midnight Sun Film Festival

The Midnight Sun Film Festival will be taking place 11 June-15 June in Sodankylä.  Founded by  Aki and Mika Kaurismaki and Peter von Bagh, it is considered one of the world’s most unusual yet delightful film festivals to attend.  The founders decided to take advantage of Finland’s never setting sun by creating the festival, which is now in its 28^th season.  The Midnight Sun Film Festival attracts international directors, actors, and attendees who not only want to screen some of the world’s best films, but also want to capture the essence of the Midnight Sun.  The sun does not set for seventy four days in Finland during the summer.  This can cause confusion to some moviegoers when exiting screenings.  However, their confusion usually changes to delight once they find some festival activities to attend.

 

There are no red carpets, no trophies, and no expensive gowns at this festival.  It is known for its informalities—instead of champagne and limousines, attendees can be seen drinking bottles of beer and dancing to traditional songs with friends.  Despite its quaint atmosphere, top industry names are always found at Midnight Sun Festival.  Milos Forman and Francis Ford Coppola are only a few of the festival’s past attendees.

Arthouse, Hollywood films, and silent era classics are some genres that can be screened during the festival.  There are also audience sing alongs with movies that have musical undertones.

Ticket and scheduling information for Midnight Film Festival can be found at http://www.msfilmfestival.fi/index.php/en/schedule.