The new urban festival Koffarin Kinofest will take place 15–17 August. The event, inspired by an OmaStadi proposal, offers a combination of picnic atmosphere, rhythm music and outdoor cinema in the amphitheatre-like setting of Sinebrychoff Park.
The festival's film repertoire includes the music documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin, which will be screened on Saturday 16 August. In his review of Becoming Led Zeppelin, Helsingin Sanomat critic Pertti Avola gave the film four stars and described it as “a great deep dive into the formation, the early days and the dawn of popularity of one of the most iconic rock bands” (Helsingin Sanomat 13 March 2025).
The closing film of the festival on Sunday 17 August will be the documentary Amazing Grace, starring Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul's two gospel concerts in a Los Angeles Baptist church in 1972 were recorded, but it took almost 50 years before the film was released in cinemas. The critically acclaimed film was directed by Sydney Pollack (1972) and Alan Elliott (2018).
Saturday and Sunday will feature films that are also suitable for the youngest in the family: Studio Ghibli's My Neighbor Totoro (Sat 16 August) and Kiki's Delivery Service (Sun 17 August) will be screened as Finnish dubbed versions on the lower floor of the Sinebrychoff Art Museum at 14:00 on both days. The Sinebrychoff Art Museum, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, is the event partner for the children's film screenings. At 16:30, the park will be filled with music for children and those young at heart.
Top names from the Finnish blues and soul scene featured in concerts
Some of the performers confirmed so far include Knucklebone Oscar, a leading Finnish blues act who will be performing on Saturday 16 August, joining forces with singer Mariko, who is known e.g. as the frontwoman of the band Kwan. The ensemble also includes Risto "Hillside" Kumpulainen on keyboards, Mikko Murtomaa on bass and Janne "Matulah" Mathlin on drums.
Early in the evening on Sunday 17 August, the show will feature Emilia Sisco, who will perform with Tuomas Metsberg, known as a roots guitarist. Born and raised in Helsinki, the Finnish-Zambian Emilia Sisco has become one of the biggest names in contemporary soul music in Finland. Inspired by soul icons such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Billie Holiday, Sisco brings a modern twist to traditional soul and R&B elements.
Later on Sunday, the Jukka Eskola Soul Trio will take to the stage. The band's musical influences mainly date back to the 1950s and 60s, and earthiness, rhythm and swing are some of the defining features of their music. The trio have released two albums that have received rave reviews from critics and the public alike. The trio is led by trumpeter Jukka Eskola, who is well known from many music shows on TV, with Teppo Mäkynen on the drums and Mikko Helevä on the Hammond organ.
DJ Miia Laine will play music between the sets. The final programme will be published in early August.
Entry to the event is free of charge for all. The event's food sales will be handled by restaurants Southpark and Kiltakellari, which will also have terraces in the event area.
Koffarin Kinofest is part of the #OmaStadi participatory budgeting project, where city residents chose the festival for implementation from among the other City of Helsinki's OmaStadi proposals. The festival is produced by the Savoy Theatre, City of Helsinki’s Culture and Leisure Division.
The festival partners are Pop Up Kino Helsinki, Cinema Mondo, Sinebrychoff Art Museum, Restaurant Kiltakellari, Restaurant Southpark, Radio Helsinki, Aleksanterin teatteri, Eteläiset kaupunginosat ry and Pro Hietalahti ry.
During the entire Koffarin Kinofest event, the harassment contact persons’ phone line will be available. On-site harassment contact persons can be recognized by their pink vests. You can approach them if you need help or feel unsafe.
Koffarin Kinofest 15–17 August 2025 in Sinebrychoff Park
Programme
Fri 15 August
18:00 DJ Miia Laine
19:00 Welcome address
19:30 Concert, to be published in early August
21:30 Film screening, to be published in early August
Sat 16 August
14:00 Children's cinema: My Neighbor Totoro (G, dubbed). Sinebrychoff Museum’s ground floor
16:30 Concert for children: Tunteellinen siili – The sentimental hedgehog
18:00 Concert, to be published in early August
19:00 DJ Miia Laine
20:00 Concert: Knucklebone Oscar band feat. Mariko
21:30 Film: Becoming Led Zeppelin (age limit 12+)
Sun 17 August
14:00 Children's cinema: Kiki's Delivery Service (G, dubbed). Sinebrychoff Museum’s ground floor
16:30 Children's concert, to be published in early August
18.00 Concert: Emilia Sisco Duo
19:00 DJ Miia Laine
20:00 Concert: Jukka Eskola Soul Trio
21:30 Film: Amazing Grace (G)
