Blue Sea Film Featival 20. -23.8.2026

Rauma Blue Sea Film Festival (BSFF) presents a new graphic look for the 2026 festival, combining the sea, film and traditional old school tattoo aesthetics into a strong, recognizable whole. At the same time, the festival announces Norway as the theme country for 2026.

The new visual identity of the Blue Sea Film Festival is built on strong contours, a familiar color palette for the people of Satakunta, and classic maritime symbols. The centerpiece is a whale rising from the waves, which rises on its hand. This year’s look exudes the power of the sea, stories, mysticism, and shared experience. The timelessness characteristic of the old school/traditional tattoo style refers to both tradition and continuity. Bluukkarit will be held in Rauma for the 33rd time in 2026. This year, the dates are 20–23 August.

Veronica Koskinen, who has worked in animation and graphics both in Finland and abroad, is responsible for the visual identity of the 2026 Bluukkarit. – The maritime imagery is naturally connected to Rauma, a port city whose identity has been built on the sea, craftsmanship, and international connections for centuries. And of course, Moby Frank, the festival’s own blue whale, is featured in the look, says Koskinen. Timo Metsäjoki, chairman of the Rauma Film Club and festival manager, says that the festival team began to consider the traditional tattoo style for this year’s look after the previous festival.

Tattoo aesthetics draw from sailor stories, just as film tells stories that pass from country to country and generation to generation. The new look makes the core of the festival visible: film is an emotion, a memory and a mark that remains, says Metsäjoki. The look of the Blue Sea Film Festival has been shaped anew for each festival year. Metsäjoki sees it as a great tradition, because there is always room for renewal and, especially in this year’s look, to reinvent itself.

Norway was chosen as the Blue Sea Film Festival theme country this year The 2026 theme country, Norway, deepens the Nordic connection. Rauma often doesn’t get to enjoy Norwegian films on the big screen, so festivals now offer a great opportunity for this. At Bluukkarit, the theme country has usually been shown in a series of about 3–5 films. – Norwegian cinema is known for its strong visuals, closeness to nature and human, often quietly powerful stories, as well as black humor. The rugged coastal regions, fjords and the sea form a natural bridge between Norway and Rauma. The theme country can be seen in the festival’s program and side events, Metsäjoki says. The festival’s program is currently being compiled and Bluukkarit traditionally releases its program at the turn of spring and summer. However, one thing is certain: film and interdisciplinary events will once again take over Rauma on the third weekend of August for the 33rd time. Metsäjoki says that the renewed look is not only a visual update, but also a statement.

Blue Sea Film Festival relies on its traditions, but boldly looks forward. The old school spirit brings with it a sense of making, community and craftsmanship. These are the same values ​​on which Bluukkarit has been built by volunteers for over three decades.