SCANDI Festival

The Nordic winter is returning to cinemas! ❄ SCANDI, a showcase of contemporary Nordic films, will return to the big screen for the twelfth time in the second half of January.

The next edition of the popular SCANDI contemporary Nordic film festival will present the most striking examples of Scandinavian cinema – from countries where stories are told differently: boldly, uncompromisingly, and with chilling cinematic precision. In Bratislava, it will take place from January 21 to 28, 2026, at Kino Film Europe and other selected cinemas.

CINEMAS:

Artkino za Zrkadlom
Cinema City Eurovea
Cinema Film Europe
Cinema Lúky
Cinema Lumiere x SNG
Cinema Mladosť
Cinema SĽUK

Movies:

1. The Last Viking

A humorous, interesting, and subversive story about self-discovery, starring Mads Mikkelsen and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen (Knights of Justice, Adam’s Apples).

2. The Polar Bear Prince

A spectacular, heartwarming and intelligently funny tale based on one of Scandinavia’s most beloved folk tales. A story of love, greed and courage set in the beautiful Norwegian countryside, full of suspense, humor and music.

3. Let It Rain

Miracles don’t exist… or do they? A heartwarming comedy about a grumpy pensioner whose life changes after he strikes up an unexpected friendship. Two-time Oscar-nominated director Hannes Holm (A Man Called Ove) has joined forces with the star of the international blockbuster The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared to bring us this deeply emotional and universal story.

4. Don’t Call Me Mama

Eva, a popular high school teacher and the mayor’s wife, falls in love with a young refugee named Amir. A secret relationship develops between them, the consequences of which could be devastating for both of them.

5. To New Beginnings!

The film To New Beginnings! takes us to a New Year’s Eve party that turns into a night of unexpected honesty. Danish star Paprika Steen, in her latest directorial effort reminiscent of her successful film A Time for Peace, tells a warm, engaging, and humorous drama about old friends coming to terms with changes in their lives.

6. Sudden Outbursts of Emotions

With the end of monogamy in a relationship comes excitement and passion, but also complex emotions. An independent romantic comedy about the unpredictability of love.

7. Live a Little

During a trip through Europe, Laura wakes up in a stranger’s bed without remembering how she got there. This awakens in her a destructive but liberating desire to explore her limits. She therefore continues her journey to find herself.

8. The Andersson Brothers

A fragile portrait of four brothers who have taken different paths in life. One of them is the world-famous filmmaker Roy Andersson, another is the director’s own father. Where did it go wrong? Can the gap between siblings be bridged? The film The Andersson Brothers reveals a family story about art, class origins, and psychological inheritance across generations.

9. The Grump

A comedy about a grumpy old man who goes to the city to wreak havoc in his son’s family. Grumpy is a man from the past. He knows that the good times are over and that nothing good awaits him. He shuts himself off from everything modern because, for him, the world ended in 1953. Only a painful injury drives him out of his shell. The need to attend physical therapy in Helsinki means a whole series of unpleasant episodes for the old man – such as riding in a car driven by a woman or meeting his son, to whom he has never been very close. In short, Hundroš is in for a long, miserable weekend. And as always, he will make sure that everyone around him is uncomfortable…

Happier Times, Grump

Grumpy returns in this delightful sequel to the 2014 Finnish hit Grumpy. This time, he dons his iconic bushy sheepskin coat, and Heikki Kinnunen takes on the role of the main character. Just as Grumpy is about to throw in the towel, his stubborn granddaughter unexpectedly appears, bringing with her a host of complications and confusion.

The Grump: In Search of an Escort

A film about healing old wounds. Hundroš’s everyday life in the heart of Finland follows the usual rules. Although he is busy working on the farm, memories of his older brother Tarmo never leave him. Tarmo moved to Germany decades ago and lost all contact with his brother. One day, Hundroš crashes his beloved Ford Escort and the car ends up in a scrapyard. However, Hundroš has a very specific idea about cars – he won’t settle for just any old model. The nearest 1972 Ford Escort is in Germany, and Hundroš soon sets off there. But when he is attacked, robbed, and left to fend for himself, he wakes up in the hospital, where Tarmo is waiting by his bedside. The two brothers—two complete opposites in life—embark on a journey together in search of the Escort of their dreams. Step by step, after a series of disagreements and arguments, they slowly begin to grow closer. Both have experienced loss in their lives and do not want to lose each other a second time. How far are they willing to go to get what really matters in life?

Long Good Thursday

Cupid’s arrows can pierce even the oldest flannel shirt! Director Mika Kaurismäki (Mugga: The Search for a Ford Escort) brings us the fourth installment of the Mugga series. The story takes place during a picturesque Finnish summer and follows the aging, taciturn farmer Hundroš (Heikki Kinnunen), who is distracted from his grocery shopping by an irresistible scent – a mixture of chainsaw oil, pine bark, and sawdust. The scent belongs to the free-spirited Saimi, who awakens long-forgotten emotions in the long-time widower. However, his sons are skeptical and distrustful of Saimi’s intentions. Maybe she’s just after his inheritance? What follows is a series of family gatherings, misunderstandings, moonlit night swims, and sleepless nights in this touching and entertaining comedy with typical Finnish dry humor.

See you at the SCANDI festival!

Location: Bratislava
Date: 21.01.2026 – 28.01.2026
Start: 18:00
Entrance: 4 – 7 €

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