Filmmakers willing to present their projects are encouraged to submit their entries by March 4th, 2024. Join us at the heart of the global film industry!
For the 4th time, Black Nights Film Festival partners with the renowned Marché du Film event "Goes to Cannes" to showcase international film projects in development.
This year, two Estonian filmmakers, Anna Hints and Tushar Prakash, are joining the Berlinale Talents programme; the talent development initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival taking place from February 17 to 22, 2024. The theme for this year is language, encompassing common language and film language. Eda Koppel asked Anna and Tushar a few questions.
By Eda Koppel Photo by Andres Treial
As part of the programme “Foreign Films in Latvia” organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), a new big-budget feature film Boundless (Den grænseløse) by the Danish production company Nordisk Film and SIA Munchhausen Productions has been made. The film will premiere on 31 January in Copenhagen and will play in cinemas in Denmark starting on 1 February.
Anna Hints' "Smoke Sauna Sisterhood" earned the latest in its series of accolades last week when the Estonian documentary tied Matthew Heineman's "American Symphony" for Best Documentary Feature at the New York-based Alliance of Women Film Journalists' (AWFJ) 2023 EDA Awards.
"Women's voices play a crucial role in 'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood,' which is why I'm so glad that women film critics so powerfully acknowledge our film," Hints said according to a press release, dedicating the newly won award precisely to women's voices – that they be more robustly represented than before across various parts of the film industry, including in film criticism, on festival juries and in film industry policy.
The magazine provides a comprehensive view of the filmmaking landscape in these Baltic countries, covering interviews with filmmakers, updates on upcoming productions, information on film events, and details about funding opportunities. The three different covers featuring Marko Raat, Davis Simanis, and Džiugas Grinys highlight the region's diversity of talent and film projects. Each cover star represents their respective country's contribution to the film industry and showcases the international recognition they have received through premieres and selection for prestigious programs at festivals like the Rotterdam Film Festival and Berlinale. This approach promotes the filmmakers themselves and serves as a platform to draw attention to the Baltic film scene as a whole. It helps foster collaboration, create awareness about the region's unique voices and stories, and encourage participation in international film festivals and events.
The Ideal Landscape (1980) is a drama directed by Peeter Simm (born 1953). With a lyrical and innocent hero, this film gives an ironic glimpse of collective farm life in the Stalin era. The film is based on writer Karl Helemäe’s story The Deputy of Spring Sowing. The 30-Day Chronicle of a Young Man’s Life.
The magazine provides a comprehensive view of the filmmaking landscape in these Baltic countries, covering interviews with filmmakers, updates on upcoming productions, information on film events, and details about funding opportunities. The three different covers featuring Marko Raat, Davis Simanis, and Džiugas Grinys highlight the region's diversity of talent and film projects. Each cover star represents their respective country's contribution to the film industry and showcases the international recognition they have received through premieres and selection for prestigious programs at festivals like the Rotterdam Film Festival and Berlinale. This approach promotes the filmmakers themselves and serves as a platform to draw attention to the Baltic film scene as a whole. It helps foster collaboration, create awareness about the region's unique voices and stories, and encourage participation in international film festivals and events.
The cover star of the new edition of the Estonian Film magazine is Triin Ruumet. Her film "Dark Paradise" was released in Estonia in September and will be also screened at PÖFF's Baltic Competition programme. There are also interviews with director Rainer Sarnet about his film "The Invisible Fight" and Eeva Mägi about her documentary "Who am I Smiling For?" and her feature film debut "Mo Mamma". Also, producer Adeele Tähemaa shares her thoughts about filmmaking. Estonian Film also contains reviews of new titles and the latest film news from Estonia. Estonian Film is published three times per year by the Estonian Film Institute.
The cover star of the new edition of the Estonian Film magazine is Marianna Kaat – a very experienced documentary filmmaker, who has been shooting films about Russia for many years. Her recent film The Last Relic has its world premiere in the International Spectrum Competition at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto. There’s also an interview with director-producer Liis Nimik about her documentary Sundial which premiered at Vision du Reél and was selected for Hot Docs as well. Also, editor Hendrik Mägar and animation director Priit Tender share their thoughts about their recent works. Estonian Film also contains reviews of new titles and the latest film news from Estonia. Estonian Film is published three times per year by the Estonian Film Institute.
In the special edition of the Estonian Film magazine – Estonian Film Classics we proudly present some of that incredible legacy – a carefully curated selection of five distinctive feature films, a selection of animated films and documentaries by Andres Sööt, that represent and illustrate our rich film culture.
Balti Film is a magazine prepared specially for the Baltic Focus at European Film Market 2023. The magazine contains interviews with up and coming producers and directors, and gives an overview of the film life and funding schemes in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The cover star of the new edition of the Estonian Film magazine is Ove Musting – the director of the feature film Kalev, a local box-office success and Estonian submission for the title of Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Academy Awards. There is also an interview with renowned film director Ilmar Raag about his new film Erik Stoneheart. Apart from film directors, you can also read about Mait Malmsten – simply a great actor. Producer Dora Nedeczky tells about his new start in Estonia. Estonian Film also contains reviews of new titles and the latest film news from Estonia. Estonian Film is published three times per year by the Estonian Film Institute.
A new joint venture involving Georgia’s Silk Road Group and United States-based companies will look to promote facilitation of a range of film production phases in Georgia, creation of related infrastructure and human resources, and use of domestic professionals and tax rebates by Hollywood studios and independent producers.
The cover star of the new edition of the Estonian Film magazine is Elen Lotman – a diverse filmmaker and film thinker. There are also interviews with renowned production designer Matis Mäesalu and producer Evelin Penttilä, who is participating in the Producers on the Move programme. Estonian Film also contains reviews of new titles and the latest film news from Estonia. Estonian Film is published three times per year by the Estonian Film Institute.
Icelandic production company Ursus Parvus has released a new trailer for upcoming black comedy road trip movie, “Driving Mum.”
The film is in official competition and will celebrate its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on Nov. 19. The film was also chosen as one of the 2022 Industry Selects at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Driving Mum,” an Icelandic/Estonian co-production, is directed by Hilmar Oddsson and stars Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson (“Noi the Albino”), Kristbjörg Kjeld (“Alma”), Hera Hilmar (“Mortal Engines”) and Tómas Lemarquis (“Blade Runner 2049”).
In the film, when Jon’s mother, the single most dominant person in his life, dies, his anchor is gone. Compelled to honor her last wish, he takes on a journey to bring the body across Iceland to her home village for the final rest. As they travel on, Jon’s whole existence obtains a new meaning.
Ursus Parvus producer, Hlin Johannesdottir, said: “Both Hilmar Oddsson and myself feel delighted and honoured to have ‘Driving Mum’ selected for the main competition at Black Nights festival and to have its world premiere in Tallinn. We had Estonian talent involved in the production and this will be a perfect venue for the film to start its journey to the audiences.”
Alief are handling worldwide sales outside Iceland.
Brett Walker and partner Miguel Angel Govea, of Alief, added: “‘Driving Mum’ is a heart-wrenchingly funny cinematic feast -in exquisite black & white – that arthouse audiences are yearning and will feast upon. We are truly happy with this feel good, late at life coming-of-age tall tale.”
A recent string of successes show that Georgian film is back and here to stay with expanded capabilities. With USAID support, Georgia’s film and animation companies are building an international brand and creating job opportunities for the country’s creative professionals.
Georgia has traditionally punched above its weight in the film industry. Legendary filmmaker Federico Fellini once described Georgian film as “a completely unique phenomenon, vivid, philosophically inspiring.” During the middle and latter half of the 20th century, the country produced comedies, musicals, and dramatic films that captivated audiences worldwide.
Recently, Georgian filmmakers have revived that legacy, producing and working on internationally acclaimed films and creating career opportunities for Georgians with creative talent. Recent films such as Tangerines, My Happy Family, and Brighton 4th have captured multiple award categories at major film festivals. The country’s reputation as a production locale is growing, too. Tbilisi served as a filming location for the blockbuster film Fast and Furious 9 (F9), giving Georgian filmmakers the opportunity to gain experience working on a big-budget Hollywood film.
