What happens when you gather in the dark with strangers to watch a film? According to Pauliina Ståhlberg, it’s more than entertainment, it's an act of cultural connection, empathy building, and even social change. In this talk, Pauliina explores how local cinemas influence not just our personal perspectives but the collective consciousness of entire communities. From global storytelling to shared emotional experiences, she reveals why the magic of movies is even more powerful when experienced together. This talk was given at TEDxVaasa under the theme Unseen Forces. Pauliina Ståhlberg is the Executive Director of the Helsinki International Film Festival, Finland’s largest film festival. With a rich background in cultural leadership and international arts diplomacy, she previously served as the Director of the Finnish Cultural Institutes in both Madrid and London. She’s also an acclaimed audiovisual producer behind Netflix’s Nordic Noir hit Deadwind/Karppi. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, training karate, and of course, watching films. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx