The program is out!

A warm welcome to the 12th edition of the Umeå Film Festival!

The Umeå Film Festival is organized by the non-profit association Folkets Bio Umeå. Like the association, the festival’s hub is located in the cultural centre Väven. In addition to our screenings at Väven, we also show films at Bildmuseet, Västerbottens Museum, Rådhustorget, and Curiosum. For six days, Umeå transforms into a celebration of cinema — from morning to night, you can experience over 90 film titles. The program spans widely, featuring everything from locally produced short films to grand Hollywood productions, exclusive silent film concerts, special screenings, and conversations with filmmakers.

This year, we turn our gaze to outer space in a special section dedicated to classic sci-fi films exploring the theme of space travel in various forms. As a new space race unfolds, our curiosity was sparked by how cinema has portrayed space — leading us to unexpected discoveries and discussions about where we are and where we’re heading.

Looking toward the unknown, the untouched, and the new has always been one of cinema’s greatest attractions. The movie theater — as a time machine, escape, and relationship counselor — is, for many of us, a faithful companion in life. And just like every year, we’re here to offer you a full week of that unique magic that only cinema on the big screen can create.

One of the most exciting things you can do during a film festival is to watch a movie without reading anything about it beforehand. Dare to try?

– Mia Rogersdotter Gran