Workshops
Masterclasses
Frozen Nights Media Art Festival invites young people aged 12–20 to apply for a three-day Frozen Nights Masterclass. During the festival, participants can choose between two exciting masterclasses: A Game Design Masterclass led by Norwegian game designer Per Kristian Coskun and a 2D Animation Masterclass led by Danish animator Rasmus Tobias.
Wednesday–Friday, 11–13 November, 1:15–4:15 PM
GAME DESIGN MASTERCLASS: Create a Small Game in 3 Days with Per Kristian Coskun (NOR)
📍Byström Game and Media Space, Hallituskatu 5
2D ANIMATION MASTERCLASS: From Digital Drawing to Animation with Rasmus Tobias (DK)
📍Valve Cultural Centre, Video Workshop, Hallituskatu 7, 90100 Oulu
No previous experience in game design or animation is required. If you are interested in creating games or learning digital hand-drawn animation on iPads, we encourage you to apply. A limited number of participants will be selected for the masterclasses.
The masterclasses are free of charge, and snacks will be provided. The language of instruction is English.
Registration for the masterclasses ended on 26 October 2026.
Lectures Open to Everyone
During the Frozen Nights festival, a series of free lectures open to everyone will explore game culture, animation, and the career of Jan Švankmajer, a master of Czech surrealism.
RASMUS TOBIAS LESSON IN ANIMATION: What Is Bringing Characters to Life in Animation? (EN)
In this masterclass, we will explore what we do before and during the production of 2D animation. We will talk about some of the 12 principles of animation and apply the ones that will be needed for the exercises. We will also look at how animation comes from understanding real life and observing how things move.
📅Tuesday 10.11.2026
🕐5:00–6:00 pm
📍Venue: Central Library Saari, Simpukka 4th floor, Kaarlenväylä 3, 90100 Oulu
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JAN ŠVANKMAJER MASTERCLASS with Pavel Bednarik (EN)
📅Thursday 12.11.2026
🕑5:00–5:45 pm
📍Venue: Studio Cinema, Cultural Centre Valve, Hallituskatu 7, 90100 Oulu
Jan Švankmajer is a famous Czech multidiscipline artist who turned 90 in 2025. Mostly famous for his short and feature films (Alice in Wonderland, Faust, Lunacy, Little Otik, Surviving Life, Insects). He started his career in 1960’s creating a parallel stream to Czechoslovak New Wave becoming a solitary fi lmmaker rooted in surrealist tradition. Sculpture, paintings, films, all his art work is related to the world of unchained fantasy, deep needs and visions, often linked to sexuality, society norms and expectations.
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Game Design: How Games Feel Alive and Connect Us - A talk with Per Kristian Coskun (EN)
What makes a game feel alive, and what makes us feel connected within it?
Through a practical demonstration, discover how sound, movement and visual feedback transform simple mechanics into engaging experiences.
Then, through the story of Ibelin and personal reflections, explore how these virtual worlds become places for friendship, self-expression and belonging.
A session for players, parents, educators and creators about the craft of game design, and the people at its heart.
📅Friday 13.11.2026
🕐10:00–11.00 am
📍Venue: Central Library Saari, Simpukka 4th floor, Kaarlenväylä 3, 90100 Oulu