The Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy has revealed the full programme for its 39th edition, with organisers openly framing the event as political and unafraid to take a stand on freedom of speech and democracy. Programme director Outi Rehn and executive director Pauliina Ståhlberg told Variety that every film selected, and even every film excluded, carries a political statement, positioning the festival at odds with calls from figures such as Wim Wenders for festivals to stay out of politics. The selection is now overseen by a five-person team led by Rehn following the retirement of co-founder Pekka Lanerva, who remains involved as an adviser.

The festival, running from 17 to 23 September, will screen 136 films and 121 shorts from more than 80 countries across over 20 sections. Its Gala strand features four Cannes competition titles, including opening film "The Black Ball", Palme d'Or winner "Fjord", Na Hong-jin's "Hope" and closing film "Minotaur" by Andrey Zvyagintsev, alongside Finnish director Hanna Bergholm's Berlin-premiered "Nightborn". Organisers highlighted strong local audience support for Finnish cinema, which they said commands nearly 32% of the domestic market, alongside other highlights including new works from Paolo Sorrentino, James Gray and Quentin Dupieux, and a new section titled "More than Human".