Sherwan Haji’s striking My Name Is Hope has won the main prize in the high-quality R&A Shorts: National Competition. The first AGORA Prize was awarded to Jenny Jokela, who will participate in the AGORA Short Film Lab workshop in Thessaloniki in early November.
R&A Shorts: National Competition showcased the best of Finnish short filmmaking as part of the ongoing Love & Anarchy Festival. The jury that selected the winners consisted of writer Maryan Abdulkarim, the first international member in the competition’s history, AGORA industry representative Angeliki Vergou, and Leena Närekangas, the Executive Director of the ELKE association that runs Cinema Orion in Helsinki.
“The films in competition were a very high quality selection. After a lively and lengthy discussion, the jury reached a unanimous decision on the winners. The awarded films explore human relationships, humanity, and identity from different perspectives,” says short film programmer Annu Suvanto.
The audience was also able to vote for their favorite among all the competition films. “The audience voted with exceptional enthusiasm. We also received positive feedback about presenting the films in thematically curated series,” Suvanto adds.
The jury awarded the main prize to My Name Is Hope, directed by Sherwan Haji. The jury described being deeply impressed by the film’s powerful storytelling: “We hope to see the director’s future works as soon as possible.” The prize, sponsored by the Theatre and Media Workers’ Union Teme, is €2000.
Susani Mahadura’s Try Me <3 received the New Wave Award. Sponsored by the Finnish Film Foundation, this €1500 prize is granted to a promising new talent whose short film paves the way for new voices in Finnish cinema. The award supports the filmmaker’s career and is intended for the production of their upcoming project.
Sara Maaria Peltonen’s warm-hearted and sensitive Lovetanssit (The Dance Roadtrip) was awarded Best Student Film. The winner received accreditation for the 2026 Love & Anarchy Festival, access to the Finnish Film Affair industry event, and a music license from Audio Network. “The film, depicting a distinctly Finnish phenomenon, sparked in us the hope and desire to get up and dance,” the jury explained.
Jenny Jokela’s Dollhouse Elephant won the inaugural AGORA Prize, awarded in collaboration between the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the Finnish Film Foundation. The film succeeds in breaking invisible boundaries and illuminating how isolated we can become from one another with a unique style. The prize will take Jokela to Thessaloniki for the AGORA Short Film Lab workshop in early November.
The jury’s Special Mention went to Sukkahousut (Pantyhose), directed by Fabian Munsterhjelm. “The director and actors weave together a scene that makes you laugh and cry at the same time—and one that is easy to relate to,” the jury commented.
The Moving People and Images Award was granted to Marja Helander and Liselotte Wajstedt for their film In My Hand. The jury praised the visual artistry that highlighted an important story—one that must be seen and shared with new audiences. Established in 2021, the €1500 prize is awarded to a director whose work recognizes inclusivity and diversity, sponsored by the Finnish Film Foundation. Filmmaker Erol Mintaş served as an advisor in the jury’s selection of the winner.
The Audience Award went to Matalapaine (The Lightning Rod), directed by Helmi Donner. Sponsored by Kinos Rentals, the prize is a gift card worth €2001.
All the awarded films will be screened at the Love & Anarchy Festival on Saturday, September 27, in the National Competition Winners screening at Kinopalatsi, Hall 7, at 3:00 PM. A selection of R&A’s National Competition shorts will be available after the festival on the Cyon.media platform. Individual films can be rented for €2,99, with proceeds going directly to the filmmakers.
The films available for viewing will be announced on the festival’s closing day, Sunday, September 28.