A Light That Never Goes Out () is a 2025 film written and directed by Finnish screenwriter Lauri-Matti Parppei in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Samuel Kujala and Anna Rosaliina Kauno.
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2025. It received ten nominations at the 80th Jussi Awards, including Best Film, and won seven Awards in March 2026.Tiikkaja, Samuli: Jossain on valo joka ei sammu -elokuva sai kaikkiaan seitsemän Jussia, myös vuoden elokuvan palkinnon. Helsingin Sanomat 20 March 2026. It was theatrically released in Finland on 12 September 2025.
Premise Successful flutist Pauli returns to his hometown, reconnects with his old schoolmate Iiris. He is later drawn into experimental music.
Cast Samuel Kujala as Pauli Anna Rosaliina Kauno as Iiris
Production The film's director and screenwriter, Lauri-Matti Parppei, revealed that the film was inspired by his childhood in Rauma and by his experience starting out as a musician in the DIY music scene. Parppei developed the project at the 2019 Les Arcs Talent Village. In January 2020, the project participated at the Nordic Film Market in the Discovery section, held during the Gothenburg Film Festival. It received a €800,000 production grant from the Finnish Film Foundation in June 2024. In December 2024, it was presented at the Les Arcs Film Festival Work in Progress. In January 2025, it returned to the Nordic Film Market, presented at the Works in Progress program.
Release A Light That Never Goes Out had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May in the ACID section. It was theatrically released in Finland on 12 September 2025 by B-Plan Distribution.
In 2026, the film was chosen Finland’s nomination for the Nordic Council Film Prize.
Accolades Award / Film Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Jussi Awards20 March 2026 Best Film Ilona Tolmunen Best Director Lauri-Matti Parppei Best Leading Performance Samuel Kujala Best Breakthrough Performance Anna Rosaliina Kauno Best Screenplay Lauri-Matti Parppei Best Editing Frida Eggum Michaelsen Best Production Design Nanna Hirvonen Best Costume Design Mimosa Kuusimäki Best Original Score Lauri-Matti Parppei Best Sound Design Juuso Oksala and Yngve Leidulv Saetre
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