The attendance of the film festival screenings this year was 25,000, which means there was a 20 percent increase compared to last year. The total number of people attending the screenings grew by 5000.

The number of sold tickets is now close to the figures achieved in the peak years.

Around twenty screenings, in both large and small venues, were sold out. Special programming attracted a steady flow of visitors. The competition screenings also received a large amount of interest.

According to Jukka-Pekka Laakso, Festival Director, there were several factors which affected the increased attendance. He believes the interesting programme and the working arrangements in particular had a positive effect.

Among the sold-out screenings were Swedish Case Records, Helke & Suutari films, Africa and India films, Kohtalon kirja (The Booke of Fate) and John Smith films.

Laakso says the programme for next year is built from the films that are available. There is no certainty yet about whether more short or feature films will be seen in the festival next year.