The 15th Finnish Film Affair, which wrapped up last night, was dominated by genre films that offered both thrills and chills. The event took place across different sections of Helsinki’s Love & Anarchy Film Festival and included a variety of panel discussions. The tone was set by the opening film Nightborn, directed by Finnish genre filmmaker Hanna Bergholm, and the debut of the Nordic Genre Lab, a new initiative aimed at supporting genre filmmaking in the Nordic region. The festival also featured discussions on the state and future of Nordic genre cinema, with experts sharing insights and predictions for the evolving landscape of horror, sci-fi, and thriller films in the region. The Nordic Genre Lab was highlighted as a significant milestone in the Finnish Film Affair, with its focus on nurturing emerging talent and fostering innovation in the genre space. Participants included filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals who discussed the challenges and opportunities of creating genre films in the Nordic context. The panel sessions explored themes such as the influence of Nordic folklore on horror narratives and the role of international co-productions in expanding the reach of Nordic genre cinema. Several genre films were showcased throughout the festival, with Nightborn receiving particular praise for its atmospheric storytelling and strong performances. The film, which blends elements of horror and psychological thriller, was noted for its unique take on Nordic mythology and its ability to captivate audiences with its suspenseful pacing and eerie setting. Other films featured at the festival included The Silent Forest, a psychological horror film set in the remote wilderness of northern Finland, and Echoes of the Past, a sci-fi thriller that explores the consequences of time travel. The Finnish Film Affair also provided a platform for networking and collaboration, with workshops and masterclasses aimed at helping filmmakers develop their craft. These sessions were attended by both established and up-and-coming creators, who shared knowledge on everything from scriptwriting to cinematography. The event concluded with a closing ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the past year and looked forward to the future of Nordic genre cinema, reinforcing the festival’s role as a key event in the region’s film industry.