TOP PICKS

Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, the Nordic region’s most vibrant film summit, welcomes 700 global guests to Tallinn from 15–22 November. With a packed schedule of 120+ masterclasses, panels, and workshops, we asked director Arun Tamm and producer Marianne Ostrat for their top programme picks.

ARUN TAMM, an acclaimed Estonian director, gained recognition with his short The Bastards, leading to his debut feature Bad Hair Friday, which earned nominations at Raindance and Tallinn Black Nights. He then shifted to commercials, becoming a sought-after director. Currently, he’s in post-production for his period crime series Von Fock and developing his next feature, Container, starring Dar Salim. Check it OUT!

INTERNATIONAL SCREEN INSTITUTE: AUDIENCE DESIGN

November 20, 9:00

Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus

Let’s start from the beginning of the collaborative process, the early stage of development when directors and producers should explore and engage the audience Benjamin Cölle will lead a workshop on Audience Design, hosted by the International Screen Institute as part of the Script Pool, within the Discovery Campus educational program.

NETWORKING SESSION BY AMANDA GRAHAM  November 19, 15:30

But, naturally, we all still work with people, not machines, so while keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the field of technology, we cannot escape interacting with actual humans. If you struggle with that, let the inspiring Amanda Graham tear you right out of your comfort zone and teach you how to survive there.

FILM FOR THE FUTURE: EXPLORING SUSTAINABLE FILMMAKING PRACTICES IN SWEDEN AND THE BALTIC STATES

November 20, 15:00

Moving on to the production stage and a very relevant topic in today’s industry a session on sustainable filmmaking practices in Sweden and the Baltic States. I can proudly add that my latest production is a “green” one!

INTERNATIONAL WORKS IN PROGRESS

November 21, 9:45

Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza

Just Film Works in Progress

November 21, 15:00

Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus

Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza

Nordic Hotel Forum, Altair

ACTUALLY USEFUL AI TOOLS FOR CREATIVES

November 21, 13:15

Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus

AI is used in all aspects of filmmaking today whether we work with text, image, sound, or 3D, at any stage of a project’s life cycle. Therefore, it is definitely useful to join the following panel discussion organised by Just Film Industry Days.

Baltic Event Works in Progress

November 22, 9:45

Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza

Don’t miss out on the Works in Progress presentations − there are 17 projects in three categories almost ready to be released into the wild world. Go and get the first glimpse of the next hot titles.

PROJECT PITCHING: BALTIC EVENT CO-PRODUCTION MARKET

November 20, 16:30

Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella

Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labour! For the first time since 2005, Co-Production Market projects will feature a public pitch an excellent chance to gather feedback and see others’ work. I’m excited to announce I’ll be presenting my own project: Container, an Estonian-Norwegian production by Madis Tüür and Münchhausen Films.

TV BEATS SCREENING DAYS

November 19–20,

Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza / Cinema Artis

And last, but not the least, dedicate a full day to watch fresh new drama production from the region at the first ever TV Beats Screening Days. Five new drama series will be shown for sales agents, distributors, and industry professionals. I’m thrilled to announce that the lineup includes the world premiere of Von Fock, an Estonian historical crime series I directed.

FROM SHORTS TO FEATURES

November 16, 12:00

Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza, A. Le Coq Sviit

One valuable hour with wonderful script consultant Anna Ciennik for everyone on the crucial move from shorts to the first feature

TV BEATS MASTERCLASS: THE ART OF DEVELOPING COMPELLING STORIES FOR A BROAD INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE

November 19, 10:45

Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus

Developing stories it at the core of everything we do in audiovisual industry and I’m curious to hear about it from the perspective of acclaimed director, writer, and producer Per-Olav Sørensen.

COMEDY WRITING WORKSHOP BY AMANDA GRAHAM

November 19, 12:30

Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus

Humour in a film of any genre is like salt in a dish − it brings out all other flavours and nuances

INDUSTRY INNOVATION FORUM: 10TH ANNIVERSARY

November 20, 13:00 Kultuurikatel

Industry Innovation Forum is the event where I hope to hear tomorrow’s news where our industry is going

GERMANY IN FOCUS: EXPLORING FEDERAL AND REGIONAL FILM FUNDING FOR CO-PRODUCTIONS

November 21, 15:00

Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella

I personally haven’t co-produced with Germany yet, so I’m attending this session to educate myself. And if you already work with Germany, it’s a great chance to get an update on their funds! See you there!

FUNDING & STRATEGY IN FOCUS: HELPING PRODUCERS THRIVE IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY

November 21, 17:00

Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella

Everything that supports an independent producer surf the waves of our rapidly and radically changing industry sparks my interest!

Photo by Erlend Štaub

MARIANNE OSTRAT is an Estonian film producer and founder of Alexandra Film and Fork Film, working across documentary, fiction, and animation. Her films have screened at festivals like Venice, San Sebastian, and SXSW. Smoke Sauna Sisterhood by Anna Hints won the Sundance Directing Award, European Film Award and several other honors, earning Ostrat a Producer’s Guild of America (PGA) Award nomination.

INTERNATIONAL CO-PRODUCTIONS: ESTONIA & ICELAND

November 22, 10:00

Nordic Hotel Forum, Arcturus

I am excited to invite everyone to two conversations covering my own collaborations with Iceland. We’ll talk co-producing, music and a common element in Estonian and Icelandic soul!

MADE IN EUROPE: A DECADE OF FILM DISTRIBUTION DATA BY EAO, FOLLOWED BY HOT OR NOT: CRACKING THE CODE OF FILM SALES AND DISTRIBUTION TODAY

November 22 14:00

Nordic Hotel Forum, Capella

And one more suggestion for the last day − because what is a film without the audience? EF

Check out the schedule at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event at industry.poff.ee or scan the QR-code here.

PS! The events take mostly place at Nordic Hotel Forum, but many of them are also available online after the event.

Let’s start from the beginning of the collaborative process, the early stage of development when directors and producers should explore and engage the audience Benjamin Cölle will lead a workshop on Audience Design, hosted by the International Screen Institute as part of the Script Pool, within the Discovery Campus educational program.