Sparx Camp

Sparx Camp is a do-it-yourself porn making retreat in Finland! We are planning the next version for Summer 2025. If you are interested to join us, sign up for our newsletter here:

Utopian Porn* Retreat

Sparx Camp is a queer-feminist porn making retreat! The first Sparx Camp was a 10-day long retreat in late summer 2023, at a retreat centre in the Finnish countryside.The retreat follows a KinoKabaret style style of filmmaking, which means there are multiple filmmaking sessions where you can join any project and team you like. Twenty participants made about 30 films during the first Sparx Camp!

* Porn at Sparx Camp means whatever you want it to mean. It’s about playing with intimacy and art, and can include whatever you and the folks you will choose to work with are excited to do together.It can include nudity, arousal, sexuality, kink, etc – but it doesn’t have to. It can also be super innocent or cute or cuddly short films, something weird, bizarre or even grotesque. You get to choose what projects you want to join and what roles you want to play.

“Intense, emotional, inspiring, incredible!Being at Sparx Camp was the most artistic fulfilment I’ve had in years, and making weird queer porn with weird queer people was a dream come true.”

Kino Style!

At Sparx Camp we follow the KinoKabaret style of filmmaking during our event. This means that everyone and everything you need to complete a movie from co-writers, to the crew and gear is conveniently located in the same place.We share our skills and resources with each other (when we feel like it) and join teams that truly spark for us. There is no competition, no fixed teams, which allows you to focus on what truly matters: unleashing your creativity.

All you need to bring is yourself, your gear, and any props that spark your imagination. Our retreat follows a clear and straightforward structure, designed to empower each participant to contribute in their own unique way.Every participant has the freedom to choose their desired level of involvement, the roles they wish to assume, and the films they want to be a part of.

How does it work?

Our retreat consists of three film making sessions. Each session lasts for three days, and starts with a production meeting, where ideas are pitched and resources shared, and ends with a screening of the finished films.Anyone who has an idea for a film gets to pitch it, and say what they are missing and what they need to get it done. For example: "I have this glow-in-the-dark fabric I want to play with and I need someone to film me and someone to help me edit."

Then the teams find each other and start working on their projects for the next 2-3 days, after which we will show our finished masterpieces to each other at the private screening.And that’s only the beginning: after this first session the cycle repeats two more times, welcoming new film ideas, sparking new crews to form and inviting us to deepen our shared artistic exploration.The production meeting and the screenings are the main happenings each session, while the rest of the schedule is quite loose giving us the freedom we need to focus on making our films.

“I learned so much about myself and others at Sparx Camp.The retreat was the perfect creative escape I needed.I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who's interested in exploring sexuality on the screen”

Newsletter

Emotional Peer Support

The retreat started with a hands-on workshop on consent & play by the wonderful Jarkko Partanen. During his workshop all participants got to know each other, by both practising and discussing consent together.After the workshop all participants split into groups of 3-4 people, forming “care crews” that had daily check-in meetings throughout the entire retreat.

During filming, each production team had to have a “safety person” on set. The role of a safety person was to be present, observe and keep an eye on both the physical and emotional safety on set. For example, making sure that consent is always negotiated, that the team has enough breaks and that everyone is on the same page about what’s going to happen during the scenes.The emotional and physical safety of the event was maintained by always having one of the organisers available as a contact person for any kind of support needed. We organised a “harassment contact person” training for organisers and volunteers before the retreat.

Safer Spaces Guidelines

  • Creating a safer space is a shared responsibility.

  • Respect everyone's boundaries and safety. Always make sure that you have consent.

  • Instead of assuming the identity, sexuality, gender, pronoun, ability, relationship status or background of others or their intentions, ask. Give space for others to represent themselves as they are. Respect people’s pronouns, names and wishes to disclose or not disclose information about themselves.

  • We don’t tolerate racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, misogyny or any other oppressive behaviour or language. Treat everyone equally and be conscious of your position. Check your prejudices and privileges. Be mindful of others physically and emotionally.

  • We do not make films that have a hateful, such as sexist, racist, gay- or transphobic message. We’re looking forward to seeing films with diverse subject matters – but please take a minute to consider if you might be reinforcing harmful stereotypes, e.g. when telling a story about marginalised people.

  • Mistakes are bound to happen in any human encounter. Always be ready to set your ego aside, take responsibility and apologise if your words or actions make someone uncomfortable. Don’t hesitate to contact the staff if you need any support.

Who is this for?

This retreat welcomes first-timers & amateurs, as well as experienced porn makers! Shy people are very welcome!If you’re a filmmaker or artist and this is your first sex-positive event, don’t worry. We designed everything with first-timers in mind. We know from our own experience how terrifying it can be to join a sex-positive event for the first time, all you need is curiosity in exploring the topic at your own pace.

If you’re already a more seasoned pervert, but you’re not so sure if there is anything you can contribute to the filmmaking part of the retreat: it’s ok! This is a place for learning new skills and there will be lots of ways to contribute!The projects are really creative and often need some strange or funny small tasks to help it get made. This event is a remarkable opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and explore new creative roles!

What skills do I need to have?

We welcome individuals with all skills and backgrounds, and want to extend an especially warm invitation for sound designers and composers to join our camp.Have you ever thought about directing a film but never had the chance to try? Perhaps you're a bit shy but intrigued by the idea of being in front of the camera? Our event provides a nurturing and non-competitive atmosphere, providing the perfect setting for experimentation and embracing new roles.

Co-creation

This is a co-created event which means it’s something between a fancy retreat and a cute camp. The breakfast and dinner will be prepared by the food crew and everyone is welcome to help in the kitchen or take a cleaning shift.We take care of the spaces we use together and clean up after ourselves in the common areas. Everyone is welcome to suggest and host a workshop, a guided morning stretch or other special activities during the week <3 In addition to making films you can also participate in making a porn zine!

“Sparx Camp felt like a dream come true as a lover of sexual art and as a filmmaker who has for a long time wanted to combine both.I came back from this camp with new friends, a ton of short films to show and a renewed sense of confidence in my own creativity and professionalism.It was like a queer creative cloud of silly, weird, funny and perverted people.”

Organisers

Sparx Camp 2023 was organised by Lille, Angel and Synes and hosted by Euphoria Borealis ry.We are organising this event because we want to participate in it :) All our events are not-for-profit.Sparx Camp 2023 was part of an artistic research project supported by Kone Foundation. Two prototype events for Sparx Camp have been hosted by pupucollective in 2019 & 2020, with help from members of Querq ry.